Southern shield., 1857-01-24
 39 9$> NA

Her marriage would eneeb 2 EepafaGlOn that he could not think of with any degree of satisfaction. He was not a man of very ar- dent feelings. He had not loved her mother very much but the daughter had won 8 place for herself in his heart. and though the marriage had been contracted through the influence of wealthy relatives of his wife, he had found out the repusnance of his child to the proposed match, and had readily lent himself to her design. to escape the fulfill ment of her forced VOWS. Leaving covert ly, he had brought her with him to this coun- try. But he was followed by the shitor, and though he had not been six months in Ameri ca, he was already surrounded by persecu- tors who had convinced him that he must sacrifice one of two things, his daughter or her large fortune, He had unwsev writ ten great many letters ackno wledging the betrothal, and there was thus abundant evil 1ence of the contract of marriage. He wished to know whether the threats that had been made could be enforced, ,.and whether It was so serious an alternative that was be- fore him. His long absence from America hadpade him almost foreigner in his ig- norance of our laws.
 My quiet laugh at his story re-assured him more .han words could have done. and he was altogether relieved when 1 explained to him that his choice was simply to consent to the marriage. or pay such damages as jury might be induced to give for the breach of contract and l added that, in my llml- ted experience. 1 had never known an action of the sort brought by a rejected man, ex- cept in the renowned case of Wilkins CerSus Blake, which was g good precedent for all such cases.
 The few words spoke made new man of him. He had been living in retirement. having no acquaintances but the foreigners who had tracked him out. and his bankers. who were my clients. He blessed the day which had led him to ask the advice of the latter, and brought him to my office: and he begged me to 90 then instantly to his house and see his daughter-an honor was forced to decline. But yielded to his urgent en- treaties, and promised that same evening to see her; and did so.
 She was magnificent creature. Let me see now if 1 can describe her. No, will not attemptit. Imagine her what you please, only full of life, and gentleness, and ex- Quisite grace. and loveliness. She was one to make young men mad. l was bachelor of fifty. and not apt to be crazy about wo- mem but my partner laughed at me next morning when described her to him, and told me was growing young again.
 In few weeks ] was on terms of re- markable intimacy with Mr. Walton's fami- ly. and found myself at his dinner table al- most as regularly as he was there himself There were several reas ons for this, the chief one being that the old gentleman's affairs required careful examination by lawyer and devoted the evenings to him for nearly or quite month. The second was, that he and his daughter afforded two excellent ob- Jects for a person to study. He was some what simpIe-minded, exceedingly warm hearted and frank: while she was full of in- diligence and feeling, and gifted with re. fined tastes and keen appreciation and love of the beautiful.
 "By-the- my child,'' said Mr. Wal ton, one day after dinner, ''what do you SUD- pose has become of Mr. Gaston? He has not been here in two months or more."
 "Upon my word, do not know, father. 3
 ''Do not be so serious about it, child. did not think you did know. You speak as quickly as if you thought suspected you oi secret correspondence with him.
 She actually blushed at the suggestion. and looked responsibility at her father, who continued to speak, but addressed himself 10 me.
 ''Air. Gaston and his mother and brother crossed the ocean with us. They were pleas ant acquaintances. Miss Walton enjoyed their society much. He has not been here of late, though Mrs. Gaston has called ire quently. He must have left the city. thought at one time that it was possible young Gaston might be a lover: but ht seems to have vanished.
 "'We met them first in Italy,"
 -''Ah! so we did. You remember it bet ter than I''
 ''A lover for Miss Nalton?'' said I. look ing ct her, and meeting her kindling eyes ''On my word, that is a strange idea. What say you 10 1t, Miss Walton?''
 ''Why strange? May not have lovers Sirs''
 GAS many as you choose. But I can't i'm agine the man bold enough to think of win. ming you. You are rather one of the sort should think of buying through your fami. ly, as our friend Count - thought tC do, rather than to be approached with tho idea of winning you"
 She laughed, and our conversation ran or ill light, pleasant strain, about love anC love-matches, and similar subjects, until was led, in some way have since forgotten to tell the story of my late client in the iai of - county.
 At the first the countenance of my listen. CT betrayed more than ordinary interest. anC at my description of the night scene, and hi, delirium, and the words he used, she sprane from her seat.
 .'Why, that is John Gastonl' l''
 "Why, Ada, 1 am astonished.'' .''
 "Ada!" It was the first time her father had used her name. The whole truth. o1 course, crossed my mind instantly, without need for the explanation the brave girl gave instantly.
 Father" said she, in an excited tone. ''l love John Gaston and he loves me. I have rejected him three several times: once il Europe, once on shipboard, once here-eacf time because knew not whether was free treated him lightly, scornfully, because il seemed best to teach him to forget me- The last time we parted he was in such des- pair that ] was nearly wild with agony my self But heard no more from him and hoped, for his sake and mine, that he had returned to Europe. But he went away that night on horseback, was apprehended for a murder, is lying in prison waiting his trial. IS likely to die. 1 must go and save him. Let us go tomorrow. Will tomorrow do. MT. Phillips?''
 At that moment I recollected that the day for the session of the Oyer and Terminer Co \