The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1881-01-14

| ed by gentleman. This was all the eXpla
nation she had vouchsafed She required in
return to be made acquainted with the name
of her companion, after her own In a few
minutes the captain began to be somewhat al
ease--in fact, he began to like his position
He had never sat so near pretty woman in
his life, and he asked himself whether if the
proximity was SO pleasant for few moments
II constant companonship might not prove
as agreeable While her attention was en-
gagged in her pony, he had an opportunity to
survey her features. Her large, dark and lu
minous eyes seemed to be literally swimming
| in their liquid lustre Her cheeks were as
soft and blooming as the side of n peach
| Her profile was strictly Grecian and her
parted lips showed a row of pearls. The
most delicate tapered fingers encased in
French kid, closed upon the reins and the
vanished tip of dainty boot indicated a
foot that Cinderella might have envied.
"Do you live far from here, madam ?" said
the captain.
Not very far. The pony can mend his
pace if you are in hurry
The widow turned those bewitchiIg eyes
of hers upon the old bachelor and smiled.
1t 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 dressing
gown, received them at the door.
my friend Capt. Champion" said the old
gentleman. walk in-warm day"
Very" said the captain
And, indeed his looks seemed to corrobor-
ate his statement, for he was as red rs a
peony.
The captain and the old gentleman were
chatting familiarity and the former felt him
al oil of bnp,n A flor IN poc
spent in this manner his host excused himself
and the old bachelor was then LETT alone.
A dreamy reverie was interrupted by the
sound of voices in the hail. The captain east
ly recognized tine widows, and q glance
through the half open door showed him that
her companion was n handsome young man.
There, dear Bella" said the young man.
don't scold any more. won't do it again
Give me kiss"
A hearty smack followed 1t was veri-
table, genuine kiss; the captain saw and
heard it. A pang shot through his heart.
"The only woman could ever love-" said
he to himself, "and she is engaged"
The widow tripped into the room. If she
was pleasing in her carriage dress, she was
perfectly bewitching in her drawing room at
that fairy foot.
"NIy dear sill" said she, your horse is at
your service now
Champion rose.
But she added, "if you will stay and
take dinner with lis my uncle will be very
much delighted, and | shall be highly pleas
ed"
"The coquettcn thought Champion. 81
am obliged toy you, madam, but have an en-
gagement," he said.
Then we cannot hope to detain you, Sir,
but you must allow me to present to you my
brother"
The fine young man made his appearance,
and shook hands with the bachelor.
That's the horse thief, captain" said the
widow, laughing.
The young man apologizcd, and explained
the circumstances which had impelled him to
take the liberty.
"Im sorry" he added, that we cannot I'M
prove the acquaintance casually made by en-
joying your company ut dinner. | am sorry
you are otherwise engaged"
"Why, rs to that" said the captain, draw
ing off his gloves, ''your offer is too tempting,
and feel compelled to acceptit"
So the horse was remanded to the stable,
and he stopped to dinner. After dinner they
had music, for Mrs. Leslie played charming.
ly. Then he was persuaded to stay to tea,
and in the evening secured ten minutes tete-
a-tete with the widow, in the summer-house,
overgrown with Madeira vines, and inhab-
tied by spider and six earwigs.
1t was 10 o'clock when he mounted his
horse to return to Boston, but it was a bright
moonlight night and he was quite romanti-
cally inclined.
The next morning he repeated his visit,
and the neXt-and the next In short the ep-
ISOLDE of the borrowed horse produced dec
laration and acceptance, and though years
have passed away, the captain has had no
cause to regret his ride with the widow in
the nOny DhatOn.