Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1871-09-26

had been passed, and 1 was fast re
lapsing into my former apathy, whel
my lady friend, to my surprise, leaned
toward me and whispered:
81 am so timid on the cars"
Indeed" said 1, quite charmed
with her abruptness "you surely are
well accustomed to travelling"
Perfectly; but that is not it, ex.
catly. There DIRE so many dreadful
accidents On the railroad, !" she replied,
with some nonchalance.
dreadful, indeed" I echoed.
"And," said my companion with
naivette, "it is so unpleasant to travel
unattended, l usually have my broth
er Charley with me; he is a splendid
escort"
"If you will allow me, I will gladly
occupy that position" said I, quite
gallantly.
IL am much obliged to you, sir, yet
l am accepting the escort of stranger
NOT that I fear you, sir, but, alas 1
have a jealous father" replied the
young lady, with grateful glance
from her dark orbs.
"a jealous father ?" 1 replied, some
what puzzled and surprised.
"Ah, yes" said the young lady, "it
is my misfortune, while having wealth,
health, and almost everything that
heart can wish, to be under the tyran-
nical control Of an old step-father,
who treats me ofttimes in the most
cruel manner; debars me from the So
ciety of your sex, shuts me up in the
gloomy confines of my chamber, and
treats me with the pitiless rigor, if l
do much as speak or look at man."
"What monster!' 1 calculated,
with face of melodramatic sympa.
thy.
"That is why I am so diffident
about entrusting myself to your care,
but do it on one condition" j.
"Name it p rejoined, charmed and
delighted with the strange confidence
the young lady was reposing in me.
"That you leave me the instant the
cars reach New York.
1 was so bewildered by the beauty
and charming innocence of my friend,
that l readily gave the desired pledge;
apparently quite relieved, the young
lady threw aside all reserve, and talk
ed and chatted with me in the most
pleasant manner. 1t is needless to
say that in an hours time, l had so
far advanced in her good graces as to
venture to press her hand, and the
sweet half coquettish smile that played |
around the corners of her cherry lips,
did not seem to disapprovc of the lib
erty l had taken.
"Do you know that 1 liked your
face the first time l saw it ?" said she,
rs we sat talking confidently together.
"It was sympathetic on both sides,
then," | whispered, drawing so near
TO her that l could feel her breath fan
NY cheek.
YES" she murmured, gently with
irawing herself from my glowing en-
'race, for we had passed through the
unnel, and l had taken lovers ad
and snatched a hasty kiss.
"You arc naughty man, the
man l ever saw. If pa
hould be on the train what would he
ay ?" she said in low and tremulous S
,oice.
"Never fear, sweet creature I; your
ross old father is miles away, and let
S improve the present opportunity"
rcjoined, earnestly. u
"Are you aware that there is anoth-
r tunnel beyond, great deal darker,
90, than the one we have left ?" she
bserved, half mischievously. g
"f know it. We are drawing near q
, it very fast" said /, with a tender q
lance at my fair enslaver. '
Once more l placed my arm around 7
ne waist of the young lady, and wrap G
ed in the gloom of the tunnel, took
weet pledges from her lips. It was
ratifying to my vanity-4all good
'oking men are vain, yod khow-to a
erccive that MY lovely companion Il
ung more affectionately to me than Il
efore; indeed l had scarcely time to ST
ar myself from her arms when we o.
,tered once more into broad day light. o.
he had let her veil drop over her face, m
I'D l could detect the crimson flush b
trough the fine net work Of her lace. A
Ter voice betrayed much agitation as fl
lc whispered.
"I have gone too far With you, sir o,
as, you have ceased to respect me-" d
"My sweet charmcr, let us ever be g