The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1871-02-04
RAILWAY FILTRATION.
A story FOR Young Mon.

.sKa,on.n shouted the brakesman
oneninp the car door as the train paaseo
before a pleasant station on the Harlem rail
road.
do not know as | should have particu.
larry noticed that We stopped at all, for
had been mapping it for some miles; but JUS
as WAS casting On inquiring, sleepy lool
cut oil the window, and settling myself for
another siestG, my attention was attracted
by the entrance of u young lady, way
passenger, who, perceiving the car well
hlied, paused before me in evident embar
rassment.
She was young lady of exceeding beauty,
dressed in the rich and tasty style OF the
present fashion. Whether it was her gen
tell aspect, or the soft melancholy OF her
dark, impressive eyes, | cannot say, but
when she ventured almost timidly, to inquire
if the hslfseat by my side "was engaged
gsllantly rose and proflered it TO her at
once. ! must acknowledge | fels somewhat
tlat.ered by her performance tor tnousA
young man, and toleraby good looking,
had the sense to perceive thst there were tar
better looking men around VINO ike me,
might have shared their char with the
handsome lady stranger. l fsncied they
enyied me. too, as the fair girl sat plump
down her dainty form nestlsd close to my
side
~ fear have disturbed you," said my
com panion in a low sweet voice, tina. filled
me with its soft cadence.
Not at all rejoined, with sterotyp ped
polisness. ~ am happy to oblige you
She bowed and smiled in reply, and short
pause ensued, as is usual upon such sudden
acquaintanceship. In the meanwhile the
train started, and we ratified swiftly through
the fields and woods, now decked with the
lovely .in,s of spring. The conductor came
in and wen. his customary routine OF exam
lining the tickets.
! perceived hers was marked New York,
and after hestating, said
"1ou going 20 the city 2"
"Yes," she replied, with a smile OF win
ming csndor. "Thas, | presume, you have
already found out
IL shall keep your company, then,
observed, pleasantly.
Thank you, sir.
There was q slight dignny | thought in
her tone, SO, as | am very modest man.
drew back. aud said nothing further. On
rushed the steam horse upon it's iron path
way. One more station b ad been passed and
was fast relapsng into my former apathy,
toward me and whispered:
lam so timid on the cars
"Indeed ~ said |, quite charmed with her
abruptness, "you surel y are well accustomed
TO travelling
Perfectly" she replied, with some nou
ohalauce, ''but that is not it exactly. There
are SO many dreadful accidents on the rail-
road
Dreadful, indeed" echoed |.
And" added my companion. with
aaicette, "it is SO unpleasant to travel unat-
tended. ! usually have my brother Charley
with me; he is splendid escort"
"If you will allow me-" said I, quite
gslsntly, g l will gladly occupy that posi-
ton
81 am much obliged TO you sir" replied
the young lady, with grateful glance from
the dark oros. .''ye. am accepting the es-
cors Of Il stranger. not that | fear you, cir
bar. alas | have jealous father"
"A jealous father y | replied, somewhat
puzzled and surprized.
"Ah, yes" said the young lady, at IS ny
misfortune, while h4viug wealth, health, and
almost every thing thai tue heart can wish.
to he under the tyraunicai control OF an old
step father, who treats me oftenslmes IN the
most cruel manner; debars me from the
society OF your sex, shuts the up III the
gloomy confines Of ny chamber, and treats
me with ptiiess vigor, if | do so much as to
speak or to look ct mao"
What monster" / ejscnlateey-with a
face of melodrsma.ic sympathy.
THAT is the reason" she continued, look
ing around, why AIN so diindens about
entrus:ing myself to your csre; but / do II
on one condition
-. 7 olarr r,1 "a y
lighted with the strange confidence the
young lady was reposing in me.
THAT you leave me the instant the cars
reach New York.
! was 40 bewitched by the beauty and
charming iI,souciGHce of my new friend, that
| really save the required pledge apparent.
ly quite relieved, the young lady threw aside
all reserve and talked and cha.ted with me
in the most pleasant manner. It's needless
20 say that in al hours time had SO I'd
vsuced in her good graces as to venture to
press her hand, and the sweet, helfcoq uet-
ish smile that played around the corners Of
her cherry lips did not seem to dIsapprove
the liberty ! had taken.
''Do yon know" said she, as we sat talk
ing coufdentially together, "that / liked
your face the frat time that | saw ?"
SIT was sympathetic on both sides, then, y
| whispered, drawing so near her that
could feel her hot breath fan n1y cheek.
.Yes," she murmured, gently withdraw
ing herself from my glowing embraces, fol
we had passed through a sdnnel, and had
taken lovers advantage and snatched q
hastv kiss.
you're q naughty man, the nsughtiest
ever saw" she said, in low tremuous tone
''If pa should be on the train, what would
he say 2"
"Never fear, sweet creature" l reJoineo
earnestly, your cross old father is miles
away, and ct Us prove the present oppor
tunity."
Are you aware" she observed, half mis-
chievously, "tha. there is another tunnel
beyond, q great deal darker, too than the
one we have lef.?"
~ know it," said I, with tender glance
at my fair enslsver. ave are drawing neal
to it very fast"
Once more I placed my arm around the
waist of the young lady, and, wrapped in the
gloom Of the tunnel, took sweet pledges
from her lips. 1t was gratifying TO my van
ity-all good looking young men are vaiI
YOU know-to perceive that my lovely com
panion chung more affectionateiy to me thar
before. Indeed | had scarcely time to tea,
myself from her arms when we emergeo
once more into broad daylight. She had let
her veil drop over her face, end / comic
detect the crimson flush through the fine
net work of lace Her voice betrayed muci
agitation as she whispered.
81 have gone too far with you, sir; alas
you have ceased to respect me-"
"My sweet chsrmer," calculated, let us
ever be friends; give me your name and
address,
"My name and address," she responded,
'!you must never know; I already feel fright
ened to think how far | have permitted my
self to venture with stranger Forgive
and forget"