The Shasta courier., 1863-04-18

choosing one of them, whl she handed him
another-or, at least. otfer d it for his accept
ance-she challenged himf to shoot with her
at the target which stood Il the bottom of the
room. This she did aniids the loud applause
of her male friends, who Saw nothing disrep-
utable or unfeminine in her challenge. Her
lover, however, still held back.
81 fear Mr.. H-.'f she said to him.
that you are only a carmt-knight and that
any conquest you will ever make will be in
other fields than those of Mars. Come. take
your pistol, and do not bs afraid-of so weak
a foe as lam. Twill wage this pretty brooch
of mine against your brilliant, so that, wheth-
er / win or lose, you wilsti dwell in. my
remembrance forever.
Goaded into compliance, he bowed at last,
and said that even the whims of so fair an
opponent must be humorei.
The frlt shot WIS cong eded to her, and
she just missed the bull : eye, but touched
its outward circle.
81 will do better the nsst time, u she said.
quietly. handing her pistol to be reloaded,
''as see where my error lies. ought to
have done better, however; only, as papa
says, my pistol hand is little rnsty - =
The Honorable George followed. but with
| a less steady aim. He was wide of the mark,
and was laughed at for his failure by all but
Miss B.
may, gentlefolks," she said, gayly, "do
not blame him. for evidently his practice has
been in drawing rooms, not in shooting gal
leries. Look, Mr.. Il" she went on, ad-
dressing him; you depressed your weapon
a thought too low, and point blank aim,
like a point-blank intention. is the surest
way to escape disgrace. Watch me, and, if
you are wise, take example by what | shall
do"
This time she pierced the very heart of
the mark, and, that done, she flung aside the
weapon.
.'Now shall go and have my tea" she
said, entwining the waist of one Of her young
friends, caressingly; :" and having conquered
Mr.. H-on two fields on one evening. /
have reason to be amply satisfied
1t was observed that during the remainder
of the evening the Honorable George was
much more respectful to her than he had
been for week before.
A day or two passed over, during which
the Honorable George and Miss B-did
not meet. 1t was understood. however, that
he was about to leaye the neighborhood on
the next morning, and on the evening pre-
yious he was returning from paying a fare
well visit to a family on the outskirts of the
town, when, at turn of the lonely road, he
was met by Miss Bon horseback. He
was about to pass her with bow, when she
turned her horses head and rode beside him.
You are about to leave us tomorrow, |
understand, Mr.. IL she said at last,
after waiting a minute or two for his address.
l regret to say that am compelled to do
so !" he replied
You will go away richer than you came,
1 hope?"
Richer in frieads, certainly" with a
bow.
g. ''And-in bets, too. or am greatly misin-
formed, she said, gravely..
''I do not understand you Miss B."
9 thought you would not, sr.' she said,
more seriously than before. 9 l do not Won
der that you should study to forget what no
honorable or upright man would like to re-
member. Answer me. if you please, and
pray endeavor to 20 as straight to the mark
as did the other evening. You sought my
acquaintance, and you persisted in your ad
vances when they were distasteful to me;
dare yon say whyp
I'll admired you--as friend"
:. You followed me, SIR she went on,
and insisted on showering those attentions
Il
be taken in either of two ways that is, either
as the vilest of insults or the greatest of COM
pliments Which ofthese was your meaning,
Mr. H."
l" Not as insults, certainly
q am glad to hear it, sir. for your own
sake" she pcrseyered "Why, then, did
you make bet of hundred pounds that you
would conquer and bring me to your feet
Pray, do not deny the fact, or you will force
me to tell the gentleman with whom you
made it that you have branded him as liar
by saying what was not the fact"
The Honorable George was dumbfounder-
ed.
II am glad to see, sir, that you have pru-
dence enough left to be silent" she said
"And now listen to me, Mr. Il; for your
own discreditable amusement you have ven
tured to trife with my feelings, careless whe-
ther my reputation should suffer or my peace
Of mind be gone. have no brother to pro-
tect me from such unmanly attempts, nor
would l ask him even if had as I am quite
able to protect myself. You owe me repara-
ton for this inexcusable wrong. and | beg
leave to tell you calmly and dispassionately,
that the debt must be paid, and that until it
is so you shall not leave this neighborhood un-
punished. What form it shall take, sir.
leave to your own heart and judgement to de-
termine, but | solemnly warn you that nor mode
of escape open to you shall be available until
my friends are well assured that have no
further reason to complain. Should | not
have full and satisfactory explanation to-
night. shall deal with you in another man
ner before you commence your journey to-
morrow. and should you prefer dastardly
retreat in the dark to more honorable course
of proceeding, be assured, sir, that | shall
find means to reach you 90 where you will"
She turned her horse, broke into gallop,
and left her lover in a maze.
The course she took might have been a
doubtful one with many. but she had accu-
rately gauged her man, and knew the treat
ment necessary for his constitution He
went home. pondered deeply. and long before
midnight Miss B was fayored with q re-
pentant letter. in which was contained an of
fer Of his hand.
CURE FOR DIPTHERIA.-A gentleman who
has administered the following remedy for