The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1868-09-02

Piuyeu iuc Wy youuS iChoW dCcuseu VI IOi-
gerry"
allow was it--let me hear the stery."
"Well, 1 have no objection, but don't
interrupt me with questions"
The reporter promised silence, and the
handsome, splendid looking man elevated
his feet to the table and thus proceeded:
"The Chief called me into the office one
morning and told ME that check for
$4,000 had been drawn hy the confidential
clerk of well known commercial house.
and had been cashed at the bank where
their funds-weredepesited. TWAS forge
~ and the clerk had left as soon as tie
money ~as,obtained. His name was Hen
~ Harding. his parents lived in one ofthe
interior parishes and it was supposed he
had gone there before setting out elsewhere.
I could only learn that he was young and
of rather effeminate 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 always work to-
gether, i called him and we had a con-
sultation. lie prosecuted researches here,
while went TO the country. This arrang-
ed was soon on my way. had found
out where the family Of young Harding.
lived, and hoped to reach the house be-
fore night, but in this was disappointed.
Long before dusk, dark clouds began to
form along the verge ofthe horizon and
climb rapidly to The zenith.g The Thunder
and lightning came ut intervals, and was
soon assured that one of those. semi tropc
storms, which are so frequent in the sum-
mer, would ere long burst upon me in its
fury. / fastened forward therefore looking
eagerly around for SOME place of shelter
I had proceeded but little distance when
saw Just before me Woodlands hut. I
got into this as soon as possible. had
hardly got comfortably sheltered before
gentleman 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 per-
son the strong athletic frame, the open
brow, and genial pleasant face of the South
ern planter; but there was in his counten-
ance now touch of sadness, seemingly
exquisite sense of sorrow, strangely out of
keeping with what the man should have
been. His companion was young girl Of
exquisite beauty, with dark, soulful eyes.
and hair black as night. She looked, in
deed, daughter Of the tropics, and the
tall, splendid form was regal in its majesty.
She was such o woman as man could
wish to live for, and, if need be, die for.
They were both in travelling costume, and
from their conversation Judged they were
father and daughter, just setting ont on
journey, and ondeavoring to reach the river
in time for an up-going steamer Shortly
after their arrival a negro boy drove up in
cart containing trunks On one of these
was the name of aMrs. Harding, La
You may readily conceive that my eyes
were wide open, now, and my ears too.
Here was something that Imust needs OBJ
serve. walked out OF the hut and went
around to where the negro was standing.
boy, where's your young master?", l
asked the question abruptly, looking the
negro in the eye. Ia al
"Golly, tiassa, dis chile dunno; hain't
seen him for mos a year." My resolution
was taken on the instant. I would follow
these people. was satisfied they were in
search Of Henry. He could NOT come to
them, and they were going to him. The
whole matter was as clear as day. I did
follow them to the river, where the daugh-
ter embarked on broad an upward-bonI
boat, and the father returned home. I
took passage on the Same steamer. 1
would not lose sight Of the girl. / was
satisfied she vas going to her brother. 1
insinuated myself into her presence and at
last got into conversations. I was one-haIs
in love with her already; before We reach
ed st. Louis / was wholly SO. ] harmed
that she was going to New York, for some
object she did not reveal thought
knew what the object was ;ssbut it had be-
come of secondary importance how, for
was deeply, Enthusiastically in love. Had
her brother stood before me, and she had
asked me to forbear, it is doubtful if 1
would have arrested him. / could not
exist out OF herpresence. She had become
the one object necessary to my happiness.
At last we reached New York. could
contain myself no longer. / sought an op-
portunity and told her of my Iove--told my
name, occupation and present Object
revealed everything; / only asked to share
her affections. She, seemed greatly asita-
ted, and asked that would leave her until
the next day. This was the forenoon of
Mo3day-Tuesday afternoon / called for
my answer. The servant who answered my
summons Informed me that the Young lady
had left the evening previou, on steamer
for the West Iud,es; but she had left :.
note. tore open the letter eagerly. It
contained fh,c., x,,r,..1.