Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1866-05-31

trembling hand over his forehead bathed in
cold sweat, and said more calmly
do not understand yonr allusion tC
headless horses'"
"Have you never heard the legend p
said the young lady, with a troubled
glance. i thought every one in S. had
heard it,"
am a stranger-relate it." he said
with gloomy calmness
" 1t is very absurd, and very simple.
They say that whenever any one is going
to die in s. chariot with six horses, all
with. ut heads, drives nniselessly up to the
door of the hoase where the sick person
hes, and at the moment when tt e expires
the door of the chariot opens, without
noise, closes in the same manner, dusky
hands are seen to gather up the reins, and
the chariot drives silently away"
The words uttered by the young lady
produced a terrible effect upon Shirley He
! placed his hand with a quick movement
upon his heart, uttered groan of the deep
est agony, and, closing his eyes, sank back
almost fainting in his chair.
The youn@ girl ran to bring a glass of
water, which she placed to his lips, and in
an instant he opened his eyes.
| ~ uOl lIOuUlc lOuIScll dDOuI NE, lie
said with an expression of almost agony
upon his features Il have these attacks
sometimes, but soon get over them See,
Pauline, | am quite calm again"
And by powerful effort he suppressed
his emotion, and resumed his former ex-
preston Of gloomy calmness.
But you have not told me your dream"
said Pauline, with beating heart, "what
could it have been ?"
q had three dreams-each time the
same" he responded in low tone but
we will not speak further of them at pres
ent This is almost my last visit before
going, Pauline let us speak of our mar.
riage"
In fact Shirley designed setting out on
the next morning to visit home and make
every necessary arrangement for his mar
riage. He gave himself fifteen days for
this journey. On his return the marriage
was to take place.
Of this they now spoke, and it is unnes-
cessary to listen to the conversation. At
the end of three hours, Shirley rose, en-
closed the young girl in long, lingering
embrace, and left the house.
On the doorstep he met Colonel Weston,
portly, rubicund and laughing, as he struck
his gold-headed cane at every step which
he took, upon the pavement.
"Well, James !" was his hearty excla-
nation, you are not going Just as dinner
is ready? A bad rule-very bad 4! But
what makes you so pale ?"
" Am | pale 2" muttered Shirley.
" Ges-as pale as if you had seen the
chariot 'cith the headless horses l." laughed
the Colonel.
5 irley started.
"The second !" came in hoarse murmur
from his lips.
What what-James? What did you
say, my boy ?"
" Nothing, sir, hope you are well, and
that will find you as sell on my return"
"Ah, yes you go tomorrow you must
positively come in and dine. You can't
You have business? Hang business, say
! or | would have said, a fortnight, be-
fore my marriage But you will spend
the evening with us? Yes? Well, come
early"
And the old Colonel stumped into the
house.
" The second?" muttered Shirly again,
with ST ange expression in his eyes, .5
he went back to his office.
LIZ pCllb tlIC dG OOiOHCl ftS-
toms, and when the rest of the family re-
tired, he was left alone with the young la
dy, who continued to converse with him un-
til midnight. What occurred during this
interview is not known, but it was after
ward observed that Pauline carefully avoid
cd any allusion to it. No one saw her af-
ter the interview, on that night !; but on
the next morning all the roses in her cheeks
had faded.
The state of Shirley's mind after the con-
versation was better known. A sort of
busy body of the town who spent his time
in collecting and disseminating news
that is, gossip-of every imaginable des.
cription, happened to be returning home
after midnight. Seeing light in Shir!ey's
Office, behind which was his bed-chamber,
the busybody conceived a desire to ascer-
tain what kept the young lawyer up so late.
No rules of ceremony r strain such people.
The busybody coolly entered, and as coolly
asked where Shirley--with whom he had
but slight acquaintance-was going.
The reply Of the young man, according
to the report of his visitor subsequently,
was rather rough.
"To make journey m
" see," said the intruder, /" but where
to the low country suppose Z"
" Yes sir !" came still more curtly than
before.
"0n business 2"
"On business, sir 2"
slight color began to tinge the pale
face of Shirley. This persistence annoyed
him.
WELL" said the visitor, 81 see you are
busy, and won't intrude. Preparing for
yopr marriage, l suppose? l am told the
Colonel is delighted and Miss Pauline is
the beauty of the country. In splendid
health, too That is a great thing in mar
riage, Mr. Shirley. l have known her from
child-she never had day of sickness,
You are going away tomorrow"
"Yes, sir p
"Well, well, pleasant journey"
And the busybody left the Office
Shirley continued to pack his valise, for his
Journey was to be made on horseback
Suddenly the head of the busybody was
again thrust in
Z" forgot" he said
"Forgot what sir "
"To say that you will miss old Pom
Briggs funeral it will be grand again