The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1870-06-24
ONLY A FACE.

one night about half past eleven,
after having attended the Adclphi
theatre, in common with my brethren
of the press, the first representation
OF a drama by a very popular author.
Cigar in mouth, and in deep cogita-
tion as to the sort Of critiqT.c that
the new piece deserved, was startled
by a hand being laid gently on my
arm-just touching me ever so light
1v, and no more. My eyes rested on
the hand-glovclcss, but rcscmbIino
a fairy snowflake; then my gaze wan
dcred father towards its owners ficc.
and there it remained for 4 moment or
80, spcllbound. Big soft eyes with
their iris SO deeply violet as the petals
of a hearteasc, and with their lids
frlnged with long curling Iashcs, look
cd dcprecatingly into mine. Bright
chestnut hair. waved freely off low
white brow, surmounting little
Greek nose and and rosebud mouth.
slightly open, showing u row of glis-
tcning teeth.
Only face, nothing more; but the
face ot woman angel! Who could
she be? | wonder to myself this
Titanic, this embodiment Of a poct's
dream, this delicate. apparition, this
lonely waif-wandering in the evil
London streets side by side with un-
blnshing cfi'rontery and hideous fiaun-
ting vice? Not one of that sistcrhood
OWNED at o glance, as she stood
sshyly beside me, and spoke in
hcsitating accents.
go, sir, where is Charinr-cross sta
tion? L have lost my way, and it is
very late!"
"Cbaring-cross! Why, you must
have passed it, l fancy"
s'Passcd it? But was SO friyhtcn-
cd!" and she shot a furtivc, nerv GUS
glance over her shoulder
Noting the suggestive movement, I
too turned round, and saw that the
poor child had apparently fallen into
the camp of the Philistines.
Close behind us, eying the girl.
stood & short thick-set man, dark
browcd, and with. the prominent fea.
lures that appertain to the tribe of
Israel. Evidently nothing but O roar
ing lion seeking whom he may de-
vour," a vulture in pursuit of dove.
My resolution was taken ut once.
Looking at my watch, l said-"Where
do you wish to go?''
"To Spa-road."
"Come along, then. We have lust
time enough, I think, to catch the
And leaving the discomfitted "AIo-
scs" plante, I walked quickly off with
an angel-but on angel in q stuff
dress and an unpretcnding straw bon
net-trudging along by my side. In
first class carriage-its solitary: occu-
pants. .,......
The responsibility of my exterior
had undoubtedly had its proper effect,
for the rosy lips no longer trembled'
and reassured look reigned in the
pretty violet eyes.
GLOW came you to be out so late
all alone ?" I asked her, gently,
curbiDg as we'll as was able a6v nm.
due curiosity that was lurkins in nv
breast, and throwing as much defer
ence into my manner as thongh ]
was addressing the Granite DucResse
herself I could see that it neve,
even entered her brain to question
any legitimate right Of mine in put
ting the query. ,Lavater himself
must have been terrible imposto,
indeed if guile, or any. arrieye pensee
could have existed with the candid
brow that countenance open as the
day:
"My father has been very i'll, and he
was worse to-day" she replied al
once, and che repressed quiyer of the
childliko mouth, and the panied ex
preston that fitted across her face
carried with them the conviction Of he,
truth; and I went to call on a dor tn,
In Brook street that we, were told was
the very best one we could Consult
but I found he had gone ont to aserant
party the servants said-and afte
waiting three hours, T. had to com
away without seeing him"
"What 10 your fathers ailment
Perhaps !. may. know of some .akilfh
physioian,"I I said !. and chen curiosit,
got the: better Of discretion, and wit
the wiiihess Of the teinpter OF Eve,
added--What name shall /, ask .foi
if I succeed IN finding one TO accom-
pany me 70 yonr house p <."2 8
80 how good you srep she cried
gratsfaiiy: Lister iSths name. IL,
fafkns,