The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1871-09-27

~ 10 see Ills suffering, udNC hSsSA
regretted the step l took. The next
day Miss Isabel Gwin left the Rugby.
CHAPTER II.
I did not see Tom again until the
following afternoon. He called by to
say lie had just left bouquet for Miss
Isabel, aud note saying that we in
tended calling that evening, He had
some fine engravings which lie was
anxious for us to- examine in order that
he might hearsour opinion of them.
Ifhe had noticed me particularly lie
must have seen that something was
wrong. How could I look unconcern-
ed when thought of the suffering in
store for him +? promised ! would go
and in few moments he had left my
Office. I then seated myself, and calm
~ reflected-or endeayored to do So
upon what had occurred. But l soon
fonnd that the past was becoming but
dead past to me for the far more i'm
p0rtant present. and the ail-absofbing
question of what / was to do with
Tom when lie did find it out, drove ev-
cry other thought from my mind.
However, as it was useless for me to
waste time in conjecture, / determined
to proceed to action, aud in accordance
|
with said resolution, wrote the follow
ing letter to Toms father:
..DEAR SIR:-I regret being obliged
to state, in spite of all my persuasive
powers, Tom has involved himself in a
love affair, which livery much fear will
prove more serious than any he has
heretofore experienced. Can you ar
range matters SO that he will have to
leave this city at the earliest possible
date? I will accompany him anywhere
you may think it best for him to go.
Please consider this strictly cOnfiden-
tial, as do not wish Tom to know that
l have mentioned the subject to you.
/ am not at liberty to state the name
of his fair damsel, but feel sure she
would prove a most unsuitable match
for him. Let me hear from you at once.
| Yours. truly, II. OWENS"
Now who would have thought on
reading this letter that the reason
declined stating the name of the young
LADY was simply because l did not
know it myself! And yet such was
the fact. That Mrs Isabel Gwin was
not Miss Isabel Gwin, had long since
discovered, but, then again, who wal
: sbe7 Z
{ 1t seems that Tom, wishing, sup
, pose, to have a few moments for lovers
' talk, had gone to the Rugby early il
the evening, intending to call for ms
, later; but when he found Miss GwiT
was not there he came Immediately tt
my office. 1t will be a long time be
, fore / can forget his manner as, on en-
tering my room, he said:
"Where is she r. 80
"Who, Tom Z"
, "Whof why - know who, wei
enough ! Do You think that dom
know that You and father, between
! you, have managed to get her ava,
, from here? Now listen to me. II
, find Isabel Gwin, and marry her a
sure as lam living man, and yo'
. nor father either can prevent me from
doing it," <ta
"You are mistaken, Tom; / have no
. the Slightest objection to Miss Gwin be
! coming you- wife; and as for your ia
tier, he has never heard her name
. even, that l know of. But tell me NOR
7 about this; you say she has left til
Rugby House7'
6 eyes, lady went there ID a carriag
this morning, and asked to be take
directly to Miss OWNS room. She re
NAMED there for about half an hou
f and when she left Isabel went wit
her. The baggage was carried off b
/ an express wagon, no one knows where
9 but I'll find ont, and then"
. "Did none of the porters at the Rus
= by notice the marks on the trunks Z"
: "No; the stupid fools! the only thin
- they remembered. was that they ha
4 been well paid for their trouble"
"Well, Ton," said I. after. few mt
ments' pause, ~ am grieved to see 70
= in such distress; but never mind, Of
fellow. I'll help you look for her, an
!. she must be hid very closely if tv
: such sharp men as you and cam,
:. find her."
"Will You really help me -
a 1'To be sure l will; and more thu
. that, I'll write to the governor, al
- tell him not to be uneasy about us
that we are going to take little tri
= needn't say where, you know, and +;
- We want him to do is to forward t
- needful to your address," &;
- "God bless you Owens! You are
- friend that's worth having l no
~ you won't think anything of wha
!. said when entering the room, in rega
= to your connection with the disappei
ance of Miss Gwin. You see was
most wild then"
=, eyes, / see; bnt you can rest assur
Tom, that I am as anxious to find NJ
Gwin as you are"
'N "Then we'll do it,n said Tom; a