The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1870-12-07

before pleasant station on the Harlem
Railroad.
| do not know as I should have pnrtic,
uiariy noticed that we stepped at all, for |
had been mapping it for some miles but
just as | was casting an inquiring. sleepy
louk out Of the window, and settling my
self for another @es'a, ms attention VA,
attracted by the entrance Of young lady
a way-passeugcr, wh", pcreeiviug the car
wcll.Glled. paused before me in eviden,
Embarrassment.
She was n young lady Of exceeding
beauty, dressed in the rich and tasty style
Of the present fashion. Whether it was
her genteel aspect. or the soft melancholy
Of her dark, impressive eyes, | cannot say i,
bu: when she vcntured, almost timidly,
to inquire if the half-seat by my side
"was engaged" | galIautly arose aud
preferred it to her at once. must az
knowledge l feIt somewhat fattered by
her preference for ihough a young man,
aud tolcraJly good looking, l had the
sense TO perceive that there we're far bet.
ter looking men around. who. like me,
might have shared their chrir with the
hand ONE lady stranger. | fancied they
cnvird me, too. as the fair girl sat plump
down. and her dainty form nestled close
to my side. ..s.a..'
81 fear | have disturbed you" said my
companion, in a low, sweet voice, tha,
filled me with its soft cadence.
"Not a, all, l rejoined, with stereo-
tyred pOliteness. 81 am happy to oblise
you" -"a
She bowed and smiled in reply. and a
short pause ensucd, as is usual upon such
sudden ncquaintaneeship ln the mean-
while the train had started, aud we rat
tied swiftly through the fields and woods,
now decked with the lovely t!his Of
spring. The conductor came in and
went his customary routine Of exau'ins tue
tickets. 'a
| perceived hers was marked for New
York, and after hesitating. | said:
You going to the ciiy?'
YES she replied, with asmi'e Of win
ming candor. "rhat. | presume, you
have air ady found out"
al shall keep you company, thtn," l
observed, pleasantly.
"Thauk you, SIR"
There was slight dignity. I thought.
in her tone. SO. as am very modest
man I drew back, and said nothing fur
,hcr. On rushed. the s,eam-horso upon
its iron pathway. One more station had
been passed, and was fast relapsing into
my former apathy, when my lady friend,
to my surprise, leaned toward me and
whispered:
al nm 50 timid on tho cars"
.'Inlced!" said |, quite charmed with
her aorup,ncss; "you surely are well ac'
customcd to travelling"
"Perfec,ly,' she replied. with some
uonchaauce "bnt that is not it. exactly
The are SO many dreadful accidents on
the railread."
"pr .adfnl, indeed, echoed |.
! "And," added my companion. with
naiyic, tits 50 unpleasant to travel un'
attended usuSlly have my brother
| Charley with me; be is splendid cs'
cort Z
"Ifvou will allow me" said I. quite
calamity, Il will gladly occupy that posi-
ton" f...
81 am much obliged to sou. sir re-
p!icd the youag lady, with grateful
glance from her dark orbs, yet | am ac
ccp,ing the escort OF stranger. not that
fear you. sir; but. alas! | have jcalOu'
father
"a isalous father" IrsPlied, ,someUha
puzzled and surprised
"Al., YES" said the young lady. 81. il
nv misfortune, while having wealth
health. aud almost everything that tht
heart can wish, to be under the tyrannica
control of an old siep,fathcr, who treat
ME o!'eutimes in the most cruel manner
d,bars me from the society of your sex
shuts NE up in tue gloomy confines 0
NV chamber, and treats me with pitiles
visor, il ! do SO much as speak to orlool
at u man"
"Wha,a monster" ciacnlated. viii
face Of melodramatic sympathy.
That is the reason" she continued
looking around, "Wby I am so difhden
abou, entrus,ing myself toyour care; bu
I do it on one condition"