Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1860-04-12
HiGtrIlaneQus.
4 ifRUE STORY.

few years G;,o, AS gentleman whom we
shall call Davenport, was one evening, a.
bout dusk, riding slowly into the little town
OF t., he was startled from q rcverie in
which he was at the moment indulging, by
a youthful figure which bounded from the
parapet and seized the bride of his horse. -
His first impulse was anger at what ne con-
sidered either malicious or npcrtiuent in
!eiruption hut The delicate face, slight figure,
aud more than All, the pleading and agitated
expression, which he observed IN tie counte-
nance Of the youth, irresstahly attracted his
attention, and impeled him 20 draw his rein,
and request, mildly, to know the cause of
al action so unexpected In timi'. a d trem-
ulous tones, aud in terms in which the inco-
herence of extreme agitation was. painfully
apparent, the stranger informed Davenport
that he had for some time waited In anxious
hope Of seeing some individual whose res
| pectablity of appearance might pass for 4
guarantee of his honor, and whom, IN conse-
quehce, he might have courage to address
ln brief aud hurried manner he informed
Davenport That he feared pursuit from some
enemy, and i'nplored to be conveyed 20 some
place of safety. There was something in the
tones OF his voice which was at once tremu-
lous and spirited but that spirit seemed cub
dued hy nervous alarm and fearfuluess,
which seemed almost e1feminatc. AS he
spoke Davenport felt growing interest for
which he could scarcely account. He re-
qucstcd the youth to walk by his side as far
as tie Iun. whcre'h 'he hutcd that a further ex-
plantation would be necessary.
"And it." proceeded he, you satisfy me
that shall not he acting improperly, you
may command my services"
Having given lis horse to the care Of
groom. Davenport entered the Inn. followed
by the youth, and Immediately desired to be
shown to a private room.
We'll sir. said he, as soon as the waiter
had Withdrawn. "will you now obligc mo by
telling me how far may he of service to you,
and in what way? But beg pardon; you
seem iatgued pray, sir, be seated shall |
call for some refreshments ?'
The youth stood pale apparently irreso-
lute, and evidently ahstracted, while the hea
wing oi his breast betrayed violent emotion.
At length lie raised his head aud essayed to
speak. The effort was too mush; his lips
auiverrd =; the tear which had gathered in
his eyes overfowed the intended articulation
burst, and was broken in uncomfortable sighS
and convulsivt sobs, and sinking back into a
chair, lie covered his face with his hands
and burst into a violent hysterical passion OF
Davenport was amazed. What, in Heav- !
enc name. can be the cause Of this excessive !
grief" said he l beaeech you to contide it
to I.e, and if it admi. Of consolation, | swear
to do my utmost to asSuage it. and to pro- |
mote your happiness"
rhe stranger returned a look of gratitude, !
and made strong efforts to control his emo
tions. He arose aud advanced towards Da-
venpori. and, in performing this action, his !
hat. which lie had not hitherto removed, aud !
rather awkardly, slipped from his head and |
down fell, in clustering proIuSon, "black as
the wing Of a raven" the glossy curIs of a
female. Davenport started and uttered an
exclamation Of establishment. lie WAS not
less struck with the revelation which this |
slight incident had effected, than with the
sparkling and highly characteristic beauty |
OF the being who stood before him. A thou
sand thoughts flashed, with the quickness !
and evanescence Of lightning, through his |
brain, as lie tried to catch glimpse Of the
meaning of an adventure so strongly roman
tic. Self is always so predominant In the
best regulated minds, that the leading idea, |,
as prompted by this vanity seem to ask
him if such disguise as this were the result
of some unknown attachment to h.!Iseif.-
These thoughts however, were but the tu-
multuous crowdipg ot "a few seconds.
Meanwhile the stranger, seeing himself
stood confused and agitGted.--
Burning bushes Of conscious improperly
snffused her lovely cheeks, which were the
next instant, with repulsion Of feelings, pale
and oloodless as alabaster and such seemed
the overpowering nature of her emotion, that
if Davenport had not stepped forward aud
caugh. her, she woald Lavc fallen to the
floor.
Tell" said he, II beseech you, and tell
me cal.nly and candid!y, who you are, and
what is the meaning OF this Disguise ?"
80, sir, what must you think Of Inc !" cried
she, endeavoring to hide her face which was
again covered with blashes.
There is something in your countenance,
sir, and III your manner, which tells Inc that
You are man of honor, and you feel for me.
| will therefore, without affectation, briefly
relate to you the painful situation in which
have placed myself. ! was obliged 20 do
something similar to this, or submit TO tnat
which would have been worse than death.
"My father is cold aud haughtv-temper-
cd man. who would sacrifice every feeling of
his nature in the enhancement Of his worldly
consequence. Since the death of my moth
er, which happened when was very young
have experienced but little Affections from
him. He has lately, however, set he heart
upon my Union with an aged peer who pro-