South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1881-08-19
RHODA's PRISONER,
By aosALrE GRAY.

whom she was making farewell call
Are you going alone, child = inouir.
ed her relative. iiy LIZ - ail,
Yes, was the reply. spapa cannot
leave his business just now, to go with
me, but he will put me on the cars
and my friends, who are already nj
Belleyiile, will meet me at the depot ;
Il don't think it safe, continued the
old lady. Just think, if You should
be robbed, as ! was on that very road,
last summer p H ,rr =
'How was that p asked Rhoda.
well, replied her, companion, I'VE
were just approaching the tunnel,
when gentlemanly looking Young
man wearing spectacIes. came m and
inquired, is this seat engaged, mad
amp No, | replied, aud he immedi-
ately appropriated it. He was dis.
posed to be rather chatty, aud was
quite interesting; but he left at the
hrst station we reached. After we
had passed through the tunnel, and
when put my hand in my pocket,
found that my pocket-book had left
with him ra I.-
The strange young man had pro.
ven too fascinating for you,' laughed
Rhoda. iI.0t .i
Il defy any one to rob me so easilv.'
Having just passed through the grad
Mating at school and come off with fiv.
ing colors, she felt equipped for any
emergency which might present Itself
in the battle of life.
Don't be too sure, replied her aunt;
'and beware of any gentlemanly look
ing young man III spectncles, who
wishes to share your seat in the car
Rhoda set forth with bright. antici-
pations of Il pleasant summer. Her
ticket was bought, her trunk checked
and she WIS established in Il seat, all
to herself, with an interesting book IN
her hand, and lunch in her satchel
beside her
The whistle blew, and papa giving
her hurried kiss, babe her good bye,
ana, Tor the first time in her life, she
was travelling alone. For IL Willie she
watched the scenery, as tile train
whirled her rapidly along. The she
devoted herself to her book but H.
nnlly becoming tired OF both, she
yawned and wished for company, and
even fanclcd that her aunt's fascinn
ting young robber would be rather
agreeable diversion.
Il should like to see him get NV
pocket book thought RhoIa. Ifhis
hand were once in my pocket he
would not escape SO easily without an
introduction to the police And she
closed her own little palm tightly, as
though she already had the prize with
i'll her grasp.
While these thoughts were passing
through the lady's mind, the cars stop,
ped, ard several passengers came on
board. Rhodil wis conscious of n
shadow falling near, and looking IN.
she beheld a vision which mant!ed her
checks with n deep blush; IL tall and
rather elegant looking young man,
dark wins kers. ard wearing spectaces.
was respectfully touching his hat ana
inquiring.
Is this seat engaged, Miss p And
then he added alphabetically, all the
others seem to be occupied
Answers the description exactly
soliloquizod tile young detective.
Now Aunt Ann shall he reycnged.
will give him nh opportunity TO pick
my pocket, if nc desires it. Perhaps
he may not enjoy it so much in tie
end. Then she added aloud, putting
on n look of sternness, which set com
icaIly upon her cliIdlike face, 'the
seat is at your service, sir and she
proceeded to remove her satciel
ALLOW me-, said tie stranger, and
elevated it to the bracket above.
Rhoda kept her eye upon herprop-
erty, fully expecting to see II and him
disappear together,
1Ie prefers pockct-books, was her
mental comment; Ill be on my
guard
In spite Of herself our heroine be-
came interested in the conversation
OF the stranger. lie was so perfectly
acquainted with the road, and pointed
out all objects of interest, telling anus
ing anecdotes, connected with them.
But must not forget that he is a
| villain was her mental reservation.
as she listened. Aunt Ann said Inc
was entertaining. How funny, she
continued, addressing herself, that
should meet the same person. But
then | suppose, he frcqucnts this road.
Finally, they entered the tunnel.
Il scarcely wonder remarked the
strange young man Iva spectaces, at
the mistake OF the old lady who, hav.
ing entered the tunnel for the first
time in her life, aud having never
heard OF 1t, supposed the day of judg-
ment had come
I 'He is trying to divert my atten-
ton thought Rhoda. perhaps he
imagines that I am a Young chit of n