The post. [volume] (Middleburg, Snyder County, Pa.) 1864-1883, 1872-08-15

that she was other that she seemed,
an innocent young girl for, despite
her true character, she had q certain
sad, trnstfnl expression, that rarely
falls TO inspire confidence.
When tho cars stopped at Tho noxt
station, the scat directly behind mine
became vacated, and rs it was near
the stove, my lady in black, appa-
renty for that reason exchanged
hers for il, as the day was raw and
chilly. As she did so she dropped
her gloves, and I, of course, immedi-
ately picked them ZIP, and as I hand
ed them to her I received very
tgraceful 'thank YOU, sir !" and some
triAing remark relative to her care
lessness. From this we easily glided
into conversation, as neither, tfincy,
was averse to such an agreeable oc-
cupation.
She was well informed and lady.
like in manner, and l abandoned
myself to the enjoyment of her de-
lightful society.
Many would term my fascination
love at first sight, and laugh at my
rhapsodies, but so far as my expert
ences prove, it was not ut all similar
to love. I was attracted in spite OF
myself-controllod 10y anothors will,
without the consent of my own rea-
son. This, I have no doubt, is often
mistaken for Ia gronde passion, hence
the disastrous results so often wit
messed in unhappy marriages. There
is no true love, / hold, which is not
based upon recognition of lovablc
qualities.
1t was growing dark when she said
at tho next station she must stop.
handed her my card, and she in
return, favored me with delicate
bit of pastboard, with Miss Ada
Harlow" neatly engraved thereon"
| Wen we arrived at the depot,
arose to assist her in alighting and
and taking heavy travelling bag in
in one hand and her shawl upon my
arm, ] stepped upon the platform,
and offered my disengaged hand to
help her down the narrow steps OF
the car.
BY some mischance she stumbled
and foll--I, encumbered as / was,
being quite powerless to prevent it.
l supposed it to be purely acciden,
tai, at the time, and endeavored to
raise her, but she gave n little cry oi
pain, and seemed to swoon.
Ihad but moment to spare be
fore the train would start, and, il
alarm, looked for the friend whom
she said she expected to meet her
1 saw no one, however, except the
attendant Of the depot and u couple
Of idle-looking fellows, who, 1 Judged
We're there because they had no
whore to go.
The former aided me in carrying
her into the depot, when she recov
cred sufficiently to murmur hel
thanks, and begged that l would
find some one to convey her home.
I inquired Of the attendant i
there was one could get, and he
. said no, unless went to the village
mile distant.
The cars had already gone, leaving
the victim Of my unwise gallantry
and, while l was considering what i
was best TO do, man drove up in an
open buggy, who made some inqui-
ries concerning the arrivals by tn,
last train, and was turning, with 9
disappointed air, to depart, when my
companion suggnsted that nigh
get him TO drive hor homo, dis
stance Of three miles.
In answer to my request, no said
; he could do 80 just as we'll as not,
as he lived only mile from "Locust
Place"
My companion asked me in sue
q charmingly depreeating manner tC
accompany her that l could not re
sist even if l had had a thought Of
80 doing.
He was a stranger to her, she
said and I, having no suspicion OF
any russo to entrap me, believed it
: That the man might be participant
in the preconcerted, scheme Of whicl
: I was the destined victim, never oc
, Cured to me for one moment
The night was dark and drear, and
for mile before we reached our des
. tination thick wood skirtsd tn
road on either side. l was armed
4 with q revolver ;snd, though I woult
: not admit to myself that had any
: ! apprehension oftrouble, yet I KEEP
. NV hand in cloaa proximitv to itf