Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1871-04-09

favored De Monte.
Frank Gillispie had for FIVE years
until within the last two months occu-
pied the position of principal book
keeper III DR.. Guilford's store; but that
there might not be any obstacle in the
way to the ultimate contamination of the
merchants desires in reference to the
final disposal Of his daughters hand, be
had discharged young GilIispie from his
employ, procuring him 8 situation in the
city of Pensacola, where he would not
be SO frequently thrown into the society
of the daughter. Thus protected, DIR.
Guilford felt perfectly confident in the
full triumph of his plans.
Frank Gillispie had been in Pensacola
two months when our story opened, and
was, on the afternoon in question, on his
first visit to Tallahassee, since his depart
ure to his new quarters.
Carrie sat in the parlor of her fathers
| residence, and Frank was seated by her
side. They had been in this position for
long time, during which every incident
of the past two months, as connected
with them, were rehesrsed, and the pros
poets for the future were being discussed,
| when Carrie continued:
| ssFather has forbidden me to see you
any more. He says that / shall marry
De Monte-that he is rich and influential,
and that it is most desirable alliance. +"
For moment there was shade of sad
ness upon the features of the youth, but
suppressing the emotions which were
uppermost in his heart, he asked:
'sWhen did your father tell you this9'
"rwas nearly week ago. But It's
| foolish for me to be thus depressed when
all my determinations are made. | will
not consent to union with De Monte; if
/ cannot marry the person of my choice,
then will not wed at all.
''Will you promise me, dear Carrie,
that you will not consent to union with
De Monte9n
''Yes, dear Frank !" replied the maid
en-. 81 viii never marry that man.
Here is my hand; take it, and my heart
| goes with it. l give them both to you,
and pledge my faith with kiss, that to
none other but you. will they ever be
given"
Folding the confiding Carrie TO his
heart, the youth offered up a silent prayer
for their success, then bowling his head,
| their lips met in one fond kiss.
One hour later Crank Gillispie had de-
parted from the residence of DR.. Guilford,
and was on the roadleading to Pensacola.
He was happy in the consciousness of
possessing the entire affection of the love-
| ly Carrie, and be rode on with his horse
at slow walk, ignorant of the great
danger into which he was fast approach
ing.
Carrie remained by the open window,
where she had watched the receding form
of her lover until he had passed from her
view. The sun was nearly down; still
she tarried with her gaze fixed upon the
spot where had disappeared. Wrapped
In deep reverie, she stood as though in
a trance, when the appearance of tall,
commanding figure coming rapidly up the
street, seemed to arouse her, and she
watched the person. When in front of
the gate he stopped short, opened it, and
walked into the yard, coming hurfiedly
| toward the house. Without looking
either to the right or left, he approached
the door, but Carrie had opened it before
the stranger had time to rap.
SIS this Miss Carrie Guilford2" ne
asked, raising his hat.
'It is, was the reply, while a strange
impression of fear was struggling in the
maiden's mind.
Without farther ceremony, the tall
man walked directly into the parlor, ano
Carrie having followed, he turned, closed
the door, and continued:
''You will find me to be- a friend to
you and your interest. l have become
acquainted with much concerning your
| self, which it is needless for me to ex-
press. Beware of De Monte He is
not what he appears. l know much of
his doipgs, and he shall be thwarted.
Breathe not one word of what l say to
living soul, and you win hear from me
again. Be of good courage, and consent
to no propositions from De Monte"
Having given utteraGce to these singu-
| lar words, the man turned upon his heel
| and walked straight cut of the room.
His pace was rapid, and he soon disap-
peared.
1t would be difficult to express Carries
feelings after the strange warning she had
received, and she sat down upon chair
| with an effort to solve the mystery.
Meanwhile Ffsnk Gillispie had reached
a distance of some ten miles from ITALIA
hassee, and was pursuing his course,
mtditating upon the events of the past,
| and looking forward to the future, when
the sound of something falling heavily On
the ground directly behind HIM caused his
attention to be turned that way; and
| while in this positit large sack, with a
| hoop at ore end, was thrown over his
head and dropped to his waist. The hoop
| then fell from the mouth of the sack; a
strong cord was drawn quickly around his
| body, pinioning his arms, and rendering
him perfectly powerless. The same nc
ton which had secured his arms drew him
from his horse TO the ground, when he
was immedia' ely bound hand ard foot,
leaving the sack still over his head.
Without following the course of the
captOrs with their prisoner, now he was
in the power Of those from whom he
would probably receive no mercy, yet
hoping for the best, we return to Car
RE.
The tall, mysterious stranger had been
gone but few moments, when DR.. Gull
ford entered the psrlor where his daugh-
ter was seated, and inquired:
"When was Frank Gillispie last here1
s'He was here this afternoon 81.
syered Carrie without changing her posi-
ton.
There was silence following thi
declaration, and the face of the paren
wore an angry expression.
81 wish that you would not have any
thing more to do with him." the fathe
continued, suppressing the true feeling
of his heart. "You must have known
what my intentions were with referenc,
to your future course. l think that
spoke plainly upon this MISTER last week.
SIN what respect" inquired Carrie,
not knowing what other answer to make
'That of your marriage with DeMontc
You do not see the position that it woul
give you as clearly as l do. If you die
there would be less hesitancy. He
rich-one of our most wealthy citizens
1t is an alliance, as 1 told you before
which should meet with your most fire
consent. Indeed, my child, you shoul
be ambitious to secure so desirable
partner"