Year: 1860




cried she, endeavoring 10 hide her face.
which was again covered with blushes. =
There is something in your countenapce
sir, and in your manner, which tells me that
you are man of honor, and that you fee
for me. l will, therefore, without effecta
ton, briefly relate TO you the painful situa
tion in which | have placed myself l wa,
obliged either to do something similar tC
this, or submit to that which would have
been worse than death.


My father is cold and naughty temper
ed man, who would sacrifice every feeling
OF his nature in the enhancement of hi.
worldly consequence. Since the death oil
my mother, which happened wheu l was
very yonng, haze experienced but little
affection from hinl He has latterly how.
ever, set his heart upon my Union with an
aged peer, who promises to advance bis DO.
| ltical influence, and whose cupidity, i'm.
agined, has been excited by the fortune
which inherit through my mother But,
as | would rather die than be made the vic
tim of a compact so mean, straight, tho
perhaps very undutifully, told my father so,
aud the consequence has been rigorous con-
| linement ever since, Joined to treatment SO
harsh, with view, no donbt, of harrass-
ing me into compliance, and showing so
little affection on the part of my pareut,
that resolved if could by any means,
make my escape, to quit him, and proceed
to London, where could claim the protec-
tion Of my deceased mothers family, with
whom my father had long been at variance
He, suspecting, | suppose, an occurrence
OF this kind kept me totally without mo-
ney, and it was with the greatest difficulty
procured this disguise, in which, fearing
an energetic and immediate pursuit, |
thoughtlessly, and l now see imprudently
left my fathers house; and now begin to
perceive the consequence of the step have
taken, l know not how to proceed, unless
you, SIR she said, hesitatingly, will be gen.
erous enough to protect me till | am safe
with my relations in town, when | can pro.
mise your goodness shall not go unreward-
ed


There is so much nobleness Of mind
said Davenport, 'in your refusal of your
fathers improper proposal, and so much
spirit in your execution Of your plan for
evading it, rash as the plan was, that
cannot for moment hesitate'


The truth is, that the novelty Of the sit
uation into which he was thus suddenly
thrown, as protector of lone female flying
from the tyranny of an ambitious pareut,
had irresistible charms for mind so mould
ed as was that Of Davenport. He imme-
diateIy proposed, as matter of prudence,
and to stop the venomous tongue of sland-
er, if this adventure should by any chance.
become known, that Miss s., by which
initial we shall designate the stranger,
should Immediately become the guest Of his
sister, who had lately become the bride Of
clergyman at no great distance, and to
whom he was, at that time on visit. To
her, he said, he would relate the whole mat
ter, as be could depend implicitly on her
prudence.


Miss s. joyfully and thankfully ac-
cepted this offer, and a coach was forthwith
ordered, and thither they proceeded Dav-
enport, on their arrival at the vicarage,
lost no time in informing his sister of his
strange recontre, and, as the latter possess.
ed a heart Uot less kind than his own, she
willingly installed Miss s. as her
protege.


The latter, of course, was soon transmit
ed into her Propria persona, and as she en-
tered the room in her female attire, the
heart of Davenport palpitated as though
the 'love-shaft Of Cupid had been loosened
smartly from his bow and had already en-
pierced his bosom. And if, in the vanity
of youth, he thought that the eyes of Miss
S., as she expressed her thanks,
beamed upon him with an expression warm
er than that of gratitude, will be be blam-
ed?


The next morning they set out for LON
don. On his arrival there, after having in
formed the relatives of Miss s. of
her peculiar situation, he wrote an expos
tulatory letter to her father The reply
was furious demand that his daughter
should be Immediately and Internationally
restored to him. The letter concluded with
sundry threats of the vengeance Of the law
in case of refusal


Davenport was now at loss how to
proceed; but having got intelligence that
| Mr.. S. was posting mp to London,
/ he forthwith determined to avoid him by
posting back to his sister, leaving the ex-
asperaled father to dissipate his rage as
| best he might The latter, on his arrival
| in London. made immediate inquiries for
Davenport, of whom, much to his chagrin
and disappointment, he could learn no It'd
ingS. He then went to the relations Of his
deceased wife, hut they could give him no
satisfaction. Through the medium of his
lawyer, he was directed to the country resi-
denee of Davenport, whittier he proceeded
On his arrival there he was again disap
! pointed, for he found the house merely IN
the keeping Of the steward, who informed
him that his master had not resided there
for the last six mouths.


In similar frutless aud anxious Inquiries
he spent nearly a quarter Of year; for no
one thought of directing him to the vicar
age where the sister of Davenport and her
reverend spouse led very retired life. lie
was 10 despair. 1t scenes as though bis
d lighter were lost to him forever, and for
the first time in his life, as this thought
crossed bis mind, he felt like father. He
was sitting in his study, upbraiding himself
Tor the unkind coldness with which be had
ever treated her. and pondering upon what
steps he should next pursue, when SER
want entered and presented him letter


1t was from Davenport, requesting, 10
the most reSneetfui terms that ha Wonld