Year: 1869




sit was just before the war" said the
detective, 'that a queer trick was
played me by young fellow accused
Of forgery"


GLOW was it4 Let me hear the
story" 9d


1.-The chief called me into the Office
one morning, and told me that check
for one thousand dollars had been
drawn by the confidential clerk Of q
well.known commercial establishment,
and had been cashed at the bank Where
their funds were deposited. It was q
forgery, and the clerk had left as soon
as the money was obtained. His name
was Henry Hardingi his parents lived
in one Of the interior parishes, and il
was supposed he had gone there before
setting out elsewhere. l could Ouly
learn that he was young and of effsm1
mate appearance. l was soon on INV
way. l had found out where the family
of young Harding lived, and hoped
to reach the house before night, but In
this was disappointed. Long before
dark. clouds began to form along the
verge of the horizon, and climb rapidly
TO the zenith. The thunder and light
ming came at intervals, and | was soon
assured that one of those semi-trOpic
storms which are SO frequent in the
summer would ere long burst upon me
in its fury. v,ii


81 had proceeded but little distance
when | saw before me a woodman's
hut l got into this as soon posi-
bic. had hardly got comfortably
sheltered before gentleman and lady
dashed up TO the door and dismouIted.
Like myselfthey were seeking shelter
from the storm. The man was middle
aged, and exhibited in his person the
strong, athletic frame, the open and
genial face of the Southern planter;
but there was in his countenanee now
touch of sadness, seemingly exqlis-
its sense of sorrow. His companion
was a young girl of exquisite beauty,
with dark, soulful eyes, and hair as
black as night. She looked, indeed, i
daughter of the tropics, and the TAN
splendid form was regal in its majesty
She was such woman as a man could
wish to live for, and, if need be, to die
for, They were both in travelling cos
tune, and from their conversation /
judged they were father and daughter,
Just setting out on a journey and en-
deavofng to reach the river in time
for an up-going steamer. Shortly
after this arrival negro boy drove up
with cart containing trunks. 0nOns
of these was the name of Mrs. Hard
ing, La My resolution was taken on
the instant | would follow these peo-
pie. l Itook passage on the same steam
er. l would not lose sight of the girl.
| was satisfied she was going to her
brother. l insinuated myself into her
presence and at last got into conversa-
ton. was one half in love with her
already; before we reached st. Louis,
| was wholly SO. | learned she was
going to New-York for some object
she did not otreveal. Imagined knew
what the object wasi but it had become
of secondary Importance now, for I was
deeply in love. -


''At last we reached New-YOfk. l
could contain myselfno longer Isought
an opportunity and told her of my Lore
told my name, occupation, and press
ent object; l revealed everything; I
only asked to share her affections She
seemed greatly agitated, and asked that
| would leave her until the next day.
This was in the forenoon, and the next
day I called for my answer. The SER
want who answered my summons In
formed me that the young lady had lsf
the evening previous on steamer for
the West Indies but she had LEFT q
note. l tore it open eagerly. It con-
tained these words:


"SIR: For your preference am much
obliged, but the laws forbid gentlemen
marrying each other. By the time this
reaches you, | will be on board the
West-India steamer. Good-by.


.-.fs.. "HENRY HARDNG.'f