The south-western., 1861-08-07

sound Ike the mere roll OF q drum the dogs began 20
whne and kept to the horses they could We
pushed onward and were close to laurel thcke when
the leading hound suddenly came to stand and pricked
up his ears. We dismounted and walked forward-the
negroes preceding with the ptchpans Some twenty
PAGES before perceived four small stars that gilt
tered like dminutve fre-bals--tbey were the eyes of
two stags that awaited approach in astonishment at
the unusual spectacle offered to them. WetoOk aim
the creole and myself at one, the two Mexicans at the
other "Feuf cried Menou. There was the crack Of
four rifles then crashing noise amongst the branches
and the catter of hoof succeeded by cries OF sacreand
damn We! and daboo, and San Jango The six pitch
pans lay smoking and faring the ground the creole
and sprung side the negroes had thrown them
selves their faces in great terror and the two dons
lay beside hem overthrow by the rush Of one OF the
stays.
"sana yrgen!" shouted don Pablo, nightly alarmed
and angry; 'Maldito bobo senior don Manue"
And scrambing to his feet he proceeded in desperate
haste to raise his companion from the ground, whic
he lay motioness and apparently much hurt.
'Madito el dia! NuestEo Lbertador! Santa Anna!
Ay de mil"
"Calla te-hold your tongue said Silveira to his
alarmed adherent
On the first appearance of danger, NJ. Menou had
jumped behind tree, which had afforded sufficient shell
ter against the mad rush of the terrified stag; but his
cry of warning had late for the Young Mexican
who had less experience in this kind of chase and who
standing full in the path the furious beast knocked
down, and run over pushed Pablo, who was howling
ana Wrlnglng MS nlnCS, SIDE, ana with Men0u,
proceeded to investigate the hurts which the other
Mexican had received. His coat was torn and both
legs bleeding, having been rent by the deers ant
lers. Fortunately the wounds were not deep, or he
might have had serious to regret the bad aim hq
had taken. We placed him on his horse and turned
towards home.
1t midnight when we reached the house with tn:
wounded man. and the carcass of the deer that Menog
and had shot. The sight of Il white figure at tho
window of the apartment. occupied by the Mexican
warned that his wife watching for his arrival Al
the sound of our horses feet she huIryng down
stairs and of the house to meet Us; and upon bel
holding her husband pale exhausted and supported on
his horse by couple OF negroes, She uttered shri
cry and with the word Pcrdido sank almost ttaintin
on the doorstepS
] Gracious God" cried second female voice at tEat
moment. "a misfortune! Is it Ioward?"
1t was Louise who at that moment made herappcar!
ance in her nightdress breathless with terror
''Mon Dieu, it is only the Mexican! Thank God!E
lisped she, in an accent of infinite joy and relief.
Thanks, dearest Louise! for those words said L.
they make me very happy"
caught her III my arms and pressed kiss upon her
! lips, She struggled from my embrace, and bushing
deeply, hurried back into her chamber.
now followed Menou into the apartment of the
| Mexican, whose wife hanging him, speechess
with grief and anxiety. Menod had much trouble to
get heraBay from him in order that lie might examine
and dress his hurts. | do not know where the worthy
colonel had learned his surgery but he evidently
yro in the healing art and he cut out the flesh injured
by the antler washed and bandaged the wounds With
dexterity that really inspired with confidence in
him. The wounds were not dangerous but might easily
have become so, taking into consideration the heat of
the weather the thermometer stood at eightysx and
the circumstance of their having been inflicted by
stags horn. In shoEB half hour the patient was com
fortably put to bed and the afflicted donna Isabella
consoled by Henous positive assurance, that in very
| few days her husband would be well again. She re-
ceived this piece of comfort with such thoroughly
Roman catholic uplifting of her magnificent eyes, that
could scarcely help envyng the saints for whom that
| look intended
had held the candle for Menou during the opcration
and put it down upon the table, my eyes fell upon
d beautifully executed miniature of the Mexican set in
brilliants Beside lying letters addressed to
don Lopez d Santa Anna, Marischa de Campo; one or
two had the superscrptiou, lieutenant general 1t was
no other than the celebrated Mexican leader the second
in rank in the wouldbe republic who had been soiourn
ing in monsieur Menous house under the assumed
Of Silvera, The discovery afforded matter for re
Election as l repaired to my bedchamber; reflections
however, which forced make way for other
thoughts of more personally interesting nature. 1t
the graceful form Of Louise that now gided forward
out Of the back ground of my Imagination She had
watched then anXiousv for return; and the first
rumor of a mshap had drawn from her lips the name
of him for whom her heart felt most interested During
the whole time of my residence with the Menous had
never once dreamed of falling love with either Gf the
sisters. There much activity and occupation in
and Of the house. that seemed to hayehad no time
to indulge in sentimental reveries Now however, they
came cr0wding upon 1t consolatory to
unuckg bachelor only just recovering from recent
disappointment, to find himself an object of tender in
terest to lovely and innocent girl of seventeen.
At breakfast the next morning, Louise did not dare
to look in the face Without distressing her, how
ever managed to look at her more than | had ever
before done; and ] really wondered what had been
thinking qbout during the preceding two months not
to have sooner found out her manifold charms and per
teeton. Her elder sister too stout for my taste
altogether large scale and with too little OF
the intellectual i'll the expression of her features; but
Louise unquestionaby charming creature slender
and graceful with sweet archness i'll her countenance
and hands and feet that might serve for models In
short began to think seriously that all past disappoint
mens would be than ncompensatedb by the affection
of such woman. might see first about setting my
house in order thought |.
''Will you be so kind lend me your carriage to
go far as the river?' said | to the creole.
with much pleasure. mere ride, I SUPPOSE
"No little more. | wish 10 how things are
getting at my plantation"
"You are going away" exclaimed madame Mcnou
and Julie. Louise said nothing, but she raised her eyes
to mine for the first time that morning
at is necessary that should do so but if you will
allow me- will pay you another before very long"
The roses had left the checks of poor Louise, and
fancied saw tear gittering in her eyes. Several
minutes elapsed without anybodys speaking. At last
the silence was broken by the creole
"1ou seemed very happy here, thought" said he.
Has anything happened?"
"Yes; something of great Importance to me. ] must
really leave you Immediately my answer.
Meantime, Louise had left the room | hurried after
her. and overlook her before she reached her chamber
''Louise:" said l. She weeping. a leave You
to-day"
$50 heard"
I'm order to arrange my house.
'My brother is doing that already said she. why
leave u.s."
because | would fain with my own eyes if all is
ready fitting for the reception of my Louise When
have done so, will you follow home my beloved
wfe?"
For one second she looked in my face, her features
lighted up with beam of confding JOY, and then her
gaze fell in timid confusion the ground.
"Take her, dear Howard!' said her father who had
followed us unperceyed 'She is the best of daughters
and will make as good wife,
Loaise sank iRto my aEms An hour later was on
my way houewards.
At last, then, irreyocably pledged and my bach
elorship drew its close. felt that had made
judicious chose. Louise excellent girl sens-
be prudent active, and cheerfu-uniting in short, all
the qualities desirable in back ck-woodsmans wife 1t
strange enough that all should only have occurred
to me within few hours. | had been living two
months under the same roof with her. and yet the idea