Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1854-01-12

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then requesting me 10 await her return, has
tened from the ball recon-.
New thought / here Is . pretty SCRAP,
for sober married man to get iute Per
haps she may be some beautiful syren, who
has laid plan to ipyeigle and rob, and per
haps murder mel Shall / await her return
-or shall fly the danger Bat am arm
ed-why should fearf
began also to think Of my poor Invalid
wife aad these thoaghts, coupled With my
lear Of betrayal, by the aid Of little more
solitude Hsuid have conquered me and sen.
me home. but at this critical moment the
mask returned, bearing in her hands 4
heavy black veil She beckoned me to fol
low her into neighboring street where. in
moment We stood beside close-curtaised
yolante. into which she spFang fsliswsd
her. She immediately developed my head
10 the veil which she had brought, caution
lag Hie oa my life net to remove it, unless By
her request ~.
The carriage started of with speed-in-
deed the driver seemed urging his horses 10
araPid gallop. Our road was long. for this
speed we must have ridden two hours. seme
OF the time ever rough. rocky roads, aud
then along smoother ways, when at last tie
painting animals we're brought to stand
III Immediately thereafter | heard a creak.
ing noise as if port-cullis we're suddenly
raised or some old gate swung back on its
1 uneiled hinges
sSpeak not word, whatever yeu may
hear attempt not to raise the veil. Of your
lifssnd mine may be the forfeit Z whisper
ed my fair guide-aRd while she smoke /
1 hlal II
cold as ice, aud her inpetaous veice stlAed
aaa husky Before We advanced from the
carriage. she also made me vow BY ali il
heaven, never to reveal what | might do or
see IN that. nights adventure
She then led me cautiously on. apparently
through large garden. Ter the cool night
breeze bore the perfume of orange, citron.
PlnS, lemon aid spice bl ssoms to my cheek.
We soon arrived at another door. which
ereaked Justify as it was opened before US,
and then our way seemed up winding stone
stair case through passage so still, so sol
emnly silent that even echoed the light foot.
fall ef my companion. while my own heavy
tread rang like groans In a cavern, through
the still damp air.
Uath now tee lady had not spoken since
We left tue votante but as we arrived at I
the top OF the stairs. and passed into I
warmer atmosphere, she whispered that the /
hour 70 test my courage had arrived We Il
stepped across ssft carpet, and she seated \
lne on yieldiag cushion | could see
nothing through the thick veil she had
thrown over my flee, yet kind Of blush
ness ia the darkness before me, convinced
me that was ia lighted room Aas0usd
roman, when shsok from her nervousness,
she again addressed M
z You are armed with pistol and dagger =
L am, said l, iuwardly praying that
m ght have no occasion to use them A
\ You viii please give me those weapons,
said >Le
4 Ell = thought T. am betrayed, and she
ASKS my weapons Of defence that may be-
cpme an easy prey I
II Let me ask. said |, Jour reasons Tor
this strange request
4 =. A true Tower never asks for rsGSoHs from
one 10 whom be coudles answered. the
\. mask adding The business have IN
hand for you has need of courage, calmaess
aud prudence but your weapons could ayaiL
You hot lug They will not De required.
and She shuddered as she/spoke, adding
laniekly-' such as they have already done
/ too mich
Il She paused a moment and seemed to be
| schooling herself TO some dreadful task ~
| Again she addressed me.
i ! have a tale TO tell you, sir-no, net =
4 tale but SOME questions to ask had you
/ an only sister, one who was young, tar, IN
nc cent and ignorant of the world wicked /
tIuess, and thus anPrepared 70 cope with vie
Hart aud sinfulness and should she meet
With one who was, in appearance, all iull 81
\ nobleness, purity, generosity and true man
illness, and in her own full hcartedness,
should she love hia as woman Ia nature :
sipplicity can love and should he. taking
fbni advantage of her affection for him,
work her ruin, and, having succeeded, then
scornfully leave her without reparation, an
i dnteast from even his own bosom DARK
lthing upon the world unwilling to live IN
preparel to die-and should she Ia ting
hour when he spurned her disaonore
thing. from his feet-eyen when she wa
pleading for the love and protection OF oR'
aho with heIlish art had wrought her rum
should she Ia that dire moment Of crowded
,hiseries. strike poinard ts bis heart
| size would nobly Dc her duty Z cried
excited 70 madness by the painful picture
, Would YOU aid her in removing all tn
, proot Of crime 4 continued the mask q
, would YOU AID that poor girl to place %
: + naath the dark Garth all that was earthly
Der de6lsr
|. / Eollil Ii thou art she lead on. q;
: ready-ayc ready 70 do more Would thu
INV hand instead Of thine had seas the mi
t ereaat's soul to its Kissing home 10y
3 i thee now better thaa before True tho
hast beeu dishenorpd, but thou art avenged
4 I. Do not be too hasty, sir said she II
me sketch you one other picture before "a
i "a YOU for action Again | will suppose 70
e vou have an only sister. viii suppose b
With yeur full knowledge and consent
y have given her affections and heart 70 o.
e. whom you believed to be noble manly 81
n Il every way calculated 70 make her Kne
I ths true bliss ef existence She loves Of
evsa over The bends Of this worlds ador
81 s;on-watehes for his snass as the Low
Il hs.sen down by the raih, waits for the ~
ed ine--sighs aud droePs when the clouds
4 1890 east their shadows over Li.n 8 y
Nan his hopes brighten-ministers to ey.
sor,fort and seems being closely bound
, mi. q light i to ! diamond Suppose =
NJ 10 whom ysa have entrusted her, the
.sraost Jewel Of yourself, the brightest
Ell 80 Of vour d On site Greside, iaiagine =
.sn bs should grew uamipdfal Of her Peac'
ine tkat his lsss for her should tade-thal