Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1878-12-14

his horse hack again"
Very singular" said the widow
but William vss always eccentric"
I Al this crisis Mr.. Champion ap'
peared.
My horse ready."
Jump in. sir"
/ II didn't como IN . carriage"
I'm Wild ye," shouted the hostler."
Take q seat beside me. il yOu please
sir, said the widow. with her most fAs'
cinating smile.
Mr.. Champion approached the step II
inquire the meaning, when the hostleI
scIsed him With u vigorous hand and
thrust him into the phaeton. while the
pony. startled by the movement. dashed
Of NJ run.
Poor Captain Champion, Here was q
situation. A confirmed old bachelor,
bodily abducted by fascinating young
widow. The captain had to lend his
assistance to the young lady in manag-
ing the pony, who was shortly reduced
TO his nal slow and quiet gait; FOR his
assistance Mrs. Leslie told him that in n
few minutes he should be in possession
Ct his horse, which had been borrowed
by q gentleman. This was all the ex-
PLANTATION che vouchsafed. She re-
quired in turn to he made acquainted
with the name Of her companion after
giving her own.
In few minutes the captain began
I be somewhat ut esse--in fact he be-
gan to like his position. He had never
sat so near pretty woman in his life.
He began to .sk himself whether, if
the proximity was SO pleasant for q few
moments, u constant companionship
might not prove agreeable. While her
attention was engaged on her pony. he
had an opportunity to survey her fea-
lures. Her large, dark and luminous
eyes seemed to be literally swimming
in their liquid luster. Her cheeks
were as soft and blooming as the sunny
side Of peach. Her profile was strict
~ Grecian, and her parted lips showed
row of pearly teeth ss white as snow.
The most delicately tapered fingers.
encased in French kids, closed upon
the reins, and the vanished tip Of q
dainty boot indicated foot that Cinder-
ella might have envied.
do you live far from here, madame!'
said the captain.
"Not very far. The pony can mend
his pace if you are in hurry"
"Not for the world. The pace seems
to be fast one."
The widow turned those bewitching
eyes OF hers upon the old bachelor and
smiled.
It was all over with him. When he
sprang out at the villa and touched the
fingers of the widow as he assisted
her to alight, his heart was irretrievably
lost.
A red faced old gentleman in dress.
ing gown received them at the door.
MY friend, Captain Champion" said
the lady to the old gentleman.
"Walk in--warm day." replied the
latter.
Very" said the captain.
And indeed his looks seemed to cor
roborate his statement, for he was as red
as Q peony.
The captain and the old gentleman
were soon chatting together Familiarity,
and the former felt himself completely
at homo.
After an hour was spent in this man
ner his host excused himself, and then
the bachelor was left alone.
A dreamy revery was interrupted by
the sound of voices in the hall. The
captain easily recognized the widows,
srda glance through the half open
door showed him that her companion
was handsome young gentleman.
''There, dear Bell" said the young
man, don't scold me any p1ore. I
will not do so again. Give me kiss"
A hearty smack followed. It was q
veritable, genuine kiss-the captain
saw and heard it. A pang shot through
his heart.
"The only woman I could ever love"
said he to himself, "and she is en-.
gagged"
The widow tripped into the room. If
she was pleasing in her carriage dress,
she was perfectly bewitching in her
drawing-room attire. Champion could
now see the whole of that fairy foot.
my dear sir, said she, "your horse
is at your service now"
Champion arose.
"But," she added, "if you will stay
and take dinner with us my uncle will be
very much delighted, and shall be
very highly pleased"
1.-THE coquette!' thought Champion.
II am much obliged to you, madame,
but l have an engagement" he said.
"Then we cannot hope to detain you,
sir, but you must allow me to present
you to my brother"
The handsome young man made his
appearance, and shook hands with the
bachelor.
"That's the horse thief, captain. said
the widow, laughing.
The young man apologized and ex-
planned the circumstances which i'm.
PEELED him to take the liberty.
I'm sorry. he added, "that We can.
not improve the acquaintance thus
casually made by enjoying your DOM.
pany at dinner. / am sorry you are
otherwise engaged"
why, as to that" said the captain,
drawing of his gloves, "your offer is
too tempting, and feel compelled to
acceptit."
So his horse was remanded to the
stable, and be stopped to dinner. After