The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1868-08-27
slatioual @epnbtitan.
A Detective'. Experienced Touch
of Romance.

OF Homance.
at was Just before the war; said the
detective, "that queer trick asplaycd
me by o young fellow accused oil iorg'
cry" :,
%How was II? Let me hear the story"
We'll, | have no objection, but don't
interrupt me with questions. :,
The reporter promised silence, and
the detective elevated his feet TO the
table and thus proceeded:
"The Chiefcalled Inc into the Office one
morning, and told me that q check for
"a. 900 had been drawn by the confiden-
tial clerk Of n well.known commercial
house, and had been cUsbcd at the bank
where their funds were deposited. 1t
was forgery, and the clerk had left as
soon as the money was obtained. His
name was Henry Harding, his parents
lived in one Of the interior parishes, and
il was supposed he had gone there before
setting out elsewhere. | could only
learn that he was young aud Of rather
cffeminate appearance. This was all the
description could ascertain. The affair
had not been blown abroad, and the
Chief directed me to work up the case
You know that s. and I always work
together. called him and we had
consultation. He prosecuted researches
here, while | went TO the country. /
had found out where the family Of young
Harding lived, and had hoped to reach
the house before night, but in this | was
disappointed. Long before dusk, dark
clouds began to form along the verge OF
the horizon and climb rapidly to the
zenith. The thunder and lightning came
at intervals, and l was soon assured
that one Of those seini-tropic storms,
which are go frequent in summer, would
ere long burst upon me in its fury.
hastened forward, therefore, looking
eagerly around for some place Of shelter.
Ibad proceeded but little distance when
saw just before me woodmans hut.
got into this as soon as possible.
had hardly got comfortably sheltered be.
fore agentleman and lady dashed up to
the door and dismounted. Like myself
they were seeking shelter from the storm
The man was middle.aged, and exhibited
in his person the strong atheletic frame
the open brow, and genial, pleasant face
ofthe Southern planter; but there was il
his countenanee now touch ofsadncss
seemingly exquisite sense Of sorrow
strangely out OF keeping with what tn
man should have been. His companion
was young girl of exquisite beauty
with dark, soulful eyes, and hair blacl
as night. She looked, indeed, daughte
Of the tropics, and the tall, splendid form
was regal in its majesty. She was sucl
awoman as man could wish to live for
and if need be, die for. They were boil
in travelling costume, and, from their con
versation, | judged they were father ant
daughter just setting out on journey
and endcayoring to reach the river in tim,
for an L p-going steamer. Shortly aftel
their arrival negro boy drove up in I
cart containing trunks. On one Of thes,
was the name of 'Mrs. Harding, La.
You may readily conceive that my eyes
were wide open, now, and my ears too
Here was something that must need
observe. walked out Of the hut an,
went around to where the negro wa
standing. Boy, where's your younl
MASTER" lasked the question abruptly
looking the negro in the eye.
"Golly, massa, dis chile dunno; hahn
seen himior mos year" My resolution
was taken on the instant. Iwould folio,
these people. was satisfied they wer
in search Of Henry. He could not com
to them, and they were going to him
The whole matter was as clear rs day.
did follow them TO the river, where III
daughter embarked on an upward-boun
boat, and the father returned home.
took passage on the same steamer.
would not lose sight Of the girl. l wa
satisfied she was going to her brother.
insinuated myself into her presence, an
at last got into conversation. was on
half in love with her already; before W
reached st. Louis was wholly so.
learned that she was going to New Yor
for some object she did not reveal.
thought knew what the object was; b.
it had become Of secondary importanc
now, for was deeply, Enthusiastically i
love. Had her brother stood before IN,
and she had asked me to forbear, it
doubtful i'll would have arrested him.
could not exist out Of her presence. Sh
had become the one object necessary /
my happiness. At last we reached Ne
York. could contain myself no, longe
sought an opportunity md told her (
my love-told my name, occupation, an
present object-I revealed everything;
only asked to share her affections. Sh
seemed greatly agitated, and asked that
would leave her until next day Thi
was the forenoon Of Monday-Tuesda
afternoon ] called for my answer. III
servant who answered my summons il
formed Inc that the young lady had lie
the evening previous on steamer for Il
West Indies; but she had left note.
tore open the letter eagerly. 1t conta:nC
these words:
'Sir-For your preference, am muc
obliged; but the laws forbid gentlemC
marrying each other. BY the time Il
reaches you, | will be on board the We
India steamer. Very respectfully,
"iESRY HARDING
at took no more to show what trit
had been played me. You may belle
! have seldom told that love story"
!Nec Orleans PtCaylne.