The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1868-09-11

4 Az - luy miSICgbun0, Wn1l9 having
wealth, health and almost every
thing that the heart can wish, to be
under the control of o tyrannical old
etep-father, who treats me oftentimss
in the most cruel manner; debars me
from the society of your sex; shuts
me up in the gloom of my chamber,
and treats me with pitiless rigor, if
] do SO much as speak to or look at q
man"
'sWhat d monster!" I calculated,
with face of melo-dramatic sympa-
thy.
"That is the reason" she CONT
nued, looking around her half fear
fully as she spoke, tthat is the rea-
son why am so diffident about
entrusting myself to your care, but I
do il on one condition"
"Name it," I rejoined, charmed
and delighted with the strange con-
fidence the young lady was reposing
in me.
"That yon leave me the instant the
cars reach New York"
I was so bewitched by the beauty
and charming e:@Ssc"%ss;dnce of my
quondam friend, that L readily gave
the required pledge. Apparently
quite relieved, the young lady threw
aside all reserve, and talked and
chatted with ne in the most pleasant
manner possible. It is needless to
say that in an hours time, I had so
far advanced in her good graces, as
to venture to press her hand, and the
sweet, half coquettish smile that
played around the corners of her
cherry lips, did not seem to disap-
prove of the liberty I had taken.
"Do you know" said she, as we
sat chatting confidently together,
"that liked your face the first mo-
ment I saw it?"
cit was sympathetic on both sides,
then" ] whispered, drawing so near
her that I could feel her hot breath
fan my cheek.
eyes," she murmured, gently with
drawing herself from my glowing
embrace, for we had passed through
the tunnel, ard L had taken lovers
advantage and snatcked hasty kiss.
'You are q naughty man-the
naughtiest man I ever saw" che said
in low and tremulous tone. eff pa
should be on the train. what would
he say of such proceedings?"
"Never fear, sweet creature" L re-
joined earnestly, 'your cross old
father is miles away, and let us i'm
prove the present opportunity"
care you aware" she observed,
half mischievously, "that there is
another tunnel beyond, q great deal
darker, than the one we have left?"
81 know it," said I. with tender
glance at my fair enslaver. eve are
drawing near to it very fast"
Once more I placed my arm around
the waist of the lady, and wrapped in
the gloom of the tunnel, took sweet
pledges from her lips. It was very
gratifying to my vanity. All good
looking men are vain. you know. /
perceived that my lovely companion
clung more affectionately to me
than before; indeed, I had scarcely
time to tear myself from her
arms when we emerged once more
into broad daylight. She had let
hor veil drop over her face, but I
could detect the crimson flush
through the fine network of lace.
Her voice betrayed much agitation
as she whispered:
'I have gone too far with you, sir;
alas! you have ceased to respect me"
''My sweet charmer," rejoined,
let us ever be friends. Give me your
name and address?"
''My name and address," she re-
sponded, "you must never know. I
already feel frightened to think how
far I have permitted myself to ven-
ture with stranger Forgive and
forget me-"
ga firt-a coqutter'
''No, no." she returned hurriedly,
pressing my hand; "I am not firt,
but dare not-as much us / think
of you'll dare not let the acquaint-
ance proceed further. Have pity
upon me-have pity!'
She looked SO pleadingly, so en-
treatingly, with those dark, soft eyes
cleaning through the silken meshes
of her veil, that could not persuade
myself to be offended with her. At
last she reluctantly consented to give
her name, and handing me prettily
embossed card, I read, "Kate Darrell,
No. -, University Place."
The train had reached Thirty-se-
cond street, and i could easilv see