Washington telegraph., 1862-02-12

leaned pensively on her snowy arm.
"By the Gods, Saint Cecilia could not
outri val thee!' said the young horseman.
giving a low whistle to the black setter.
and putting spur to the noble iron grew
horse, he waved his hat in a. silent adieu
to the old house and its fair occupant
On, on gallopped the noble animal-not
once did he slacken his pace until he had
brought bis master directly in the rear of
low dingy looking building in an obscure
part of the village. The closed and dark
eued front, the rapid and successive
sound of hands slapping on the tables,
and the sharp click of billiards. together
with the gingling of glasses, and low nut
tered oatbs within, gave an undeniable
demonstration that this was one of those
Infamous pests Of society, gambling sa-
loon. Here in one promiscuous mass was
to be found the professional gar bier,
blackleg, many gentlemen, citizens of
Norton, who had the title cf honorable
tackled on their escutcheons, and the leer-
ing trickster who sat in an obscure corner
seeming an idle spectator, but who, 10
fact only waited to catch some unwary
straggler with his thimble game or grand
mothers trick. Here our hero sprang
from the saddle, and throwing the bride
to a mulatto who stood in waiting, he as
cended the old rickety steps, and giving
three low mysterious raps on the old
greasy yellow door, was admitted by
sprightly looking negro who seemed to
understand his business too well to ex-
change a word with any one who come iu
by that door. This was no strange place
to the horsemsn. aud several voices greet
ed him with: '.Hello, old fellow, what the
deuce has kept you so long2" to which he
negiigently repli d, Business of impor-
tance, gentlemen" A new stimulus was
given to the betting. and the gamesters,
by the appearance among them of one who
was in the habit of betting aud losing
thousands in a week. A general silen ce
now pervaded the scene which had been
rather noisy few moments before. All
seemed anxious to engage the new conner,
who was passing from table to table,
searching fer the largest stake. Soon he
selected his position, which he retained,
swearing, drinking, playing deeply and
betting aud losing largely, until the fast
approaching dawn warned the parties hat
it was time to d:sist. In an upper room
OF this den of iniqu'ty, he sought repose,
with his brain heated with wine, aud in
tensely excited by his heavy losses, he
tell iuto troubled and uneasy sumber,
from which he arose about the hour of
uoon Partakipg slightly of a dinncr,
which consisted of old rusty tacon, turnip
green's, coarse corn bread and druggy
coffee, served in one of the back kitchens
of the saloon, he mounted his swift
footed charger and was soon galloping
down the main road of the village.
1t was clear cool, bracing, afternoon,
aud Aiine Norton sat uuder the shadow
of large sycamore, engaged in reading
one of her favorite authors, when she
: Was startled by the low, whining bark of a
black setter dog which come bouncing
and fawning towards her. The anima,
was evidently in trouble, for he laid his
head on her lap with a low and piteous
kind of bark.
beautiful, creature, have you los. your
master?' said Alne, carressing him with
her snowy white hand. She had scarcely y
flushed the question, when the dog gave
a quick sharp bark, and bounded away
towards an elegantly dressed young nau
who was advancing to where she sat, fcl
lowed by noble iron gray horse. He
raised his hat gallantl y, saying:
81 beg your pardon for the intrusion,
but suppose am in the presence Of Miss
Norron?"
"The same" said Aline, slight frown
gathering on her fair brow. The young
man seeing this, said again:
II hope do not iutrude, Miss Norton" +"
Aline now raised her eyes full on the
stranger, aud saw the blood oozing from
white cambrick handkerchief which was
bound around his hand, aud she said
quickly: .... ..... ...
Il beg your pardon for the seeming
rudeness iu not noticing that you were
wounded. You must take my embarrass
ment at meeting stranger IN this seclu-
ded place as the only apology l can give
for my seeming neglect"
'.Thauk you for your kind cousidera-
tion; but it is only slight flesh wound
occasioned by the accidental discharge OF
my pistol a few moments since" said he,
again bowling gallantly. "If you will not
feel it further intrusion, | most humb'y
beg to be allowed the priviledge of intro
ducing may name, Henry Malcombe.
"Mr. Malcombe, | am very happy q
form your acquaintance, and if you will
accompany me to my fathers house, 1t
will afford me much pleasure to have
y,ur uound d-assed "
"You are very kind indeed, Miss Nor
ton, aDd shall be most happy to share
your fathers hospitality. have long
heard of Major Norton"
No one would have thought that the
elegantly dressed young man who walked
leisurely by the side OF the village BELLE
his handsome features displaying no signs
of the pain he was suffering, was the one
who had emerged from the rear of the
diugy old gambling saloon only two hours
previous. The uncomplaining manner IN
which be bore his wound, his easy aud
graceful bearing, and animated converse
tion, did not fail to impress the mind OF
Aline, that she was in the presence Of one