Southern shield., 1853-07-30

horse and gave the oflcers the Sllp.- Perhaps had better have waited and braved it out; but having taken this step, Pm bound to baffle them. To- morrow Twill surrender myself. Now, Bell, if your pony will take me to your uncle's in five minutes, Pm your man.
 Poor Charley couldn't do it, an- swered the lady.
 'Then I'll make other arrangements. By the bye, I'll meet you at the villa.'
 From the drawing room the young man rushed into the stable.
 Pat said he give me horse-a good one.'
 'Sorra the horse we've got in the stable except the black, and he belongs to a gentleman that came jist before ye. Och but he's good one, your 'onner-2:40 to cint.'
 'I'n borrow him. said Traverse, jumping on his back. Tell Bell to drive the gentleman to the village, and he shall have the horse again
 But, your 'onner.' demonstrated the ostler.
 In vain. Traverse had put spurs to the horse and was of like thunder bolt.
 o wirra, wirra, wirra. what'll be- come of me? I'm ruined entirely'
 Shortly after Mrs. Leslie rang for her phaton, and at the same time Mir. Champion, the old bachelor, rang for his horse, The pony came around to the front door, and at the same time, the young widow stepped lightly into the ph@ton.
 All right she said to Pat, with a smile, holding and taking the reins.
 Give him his head
 Och, it's all wrong,' replied Pat, keeping tight hold on the rein; your carriage can take two inside.'
 Very well, but I came alone
 You've got to take passenger
 What do you mean?'
 o, wirra-your brother has been stealing a horse
 Stealing a horse?'
 'Yes-this gintleman's, and he said you were to take him to the villa, tc get him back again
 Very singular said the widow; but William was always very eccen- tric.'
 At this crisis Mir. Champion ap- peared.
 My horse ready?'
 Jump in, sir
 I didn't come in a carriage
 In wid ye,' shouted the ostler.
 'Take a seat beside me, if you please, sir said the widow with her most facinating smile.
 Mir. Champion approached the step to inquire the meaning, when the oStlel seized him with vigorous hand, and thursted him into the pheton, while the pony startled by the movement, dashed of at a run.
 Poor Captain Champion. Here was a situation A confirmed old bachelor bodily abducted by a fascinating young widow. The Captain had to lend his assistance to the young lady, in man aging the pony, who was shortly re- duced to his usual slow and quiet pace, and then after thanking her campan- ion for his assistance, Mrs. Leslie told him that in few minutes he should be in possession of his horse, which had been borrowed by gentleman. This was all the explantion she had vouch- safed. She required in turn to be made acquainted with the name of her companion, after her own.
 In few minutes the Captain began to be somewhat more at ease-in fact he began to like his position. He had never sat so near pretty woman in his life, and he began to ask himself, whether if the proximity is so pleasant for a few moments, constant com panionship might not prove as agree able. While her attention was enga- ged on her pony, he had an opportu- nity to survey her features. Her large, dark, and luminous eyes seemed to be literally swimming in their liquid lustre. Her cheeks were as soft and blooming as the sunny side of peach. Her profile was strictly Grecian, and her parted lips showed a row of pearls as white as snow. The most delicate ta- pered fingers, encased in French kid; closed upon the reins, and vanished tip of dainty boot indicated foot that Cinderella, might have envied.
 Do you live far from here, Madam!' said the Captain.
 Not very far. The pony can mend his pace if you are in a hurry.
 Not for the world. The pace seems to be fast one.'
 The widow turned those bewitching eyes of hers upon the old bachelor, and smiled.
 It was all over with him. When he sprang out at the villa, and touched the finger of the widow as he assisted her to alight. his heart was irretrleva-