The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1881-04-22


Very singular" said the widow, "but
William was always little eccen-
tric."
AT this crisis Mr.. Champion appeared.
'Is my horse ready?'
"Jump in sir"
81 didn't come in carriage"
'In wild ye," shouted the hostler.
"Take n seat beside me, Sir, if you |
please" said the widow, with facna-
ting smile
Mr.. Champion approached the step |
to inquire the meaning, when the hostler |
seized him with vigirous hand and |
thrust him into the phRton, while the |
pony, startled by the movement, started
off on a run.
Poor Capt. Champion Here was
situation "A confirmed old bachelor ab
Quoted by fascinating young widow !
The captain had to lend his assistance
to the young lady in managing the pony,
who was shortly reduced to his slow and
quiet gait. For his assistance, Mrs
Leslie told him in few minutes he
should be in possession of his horse,
which had been borrowed by gentle
man. This was all the explanation she
had vouched. She required in return
to be made acquainted with the name of
her companion, after her own. In few
minutes the captain began to be some
what at 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, a constant
mpanionship might not prove as agree
! able. While her attention was engaged
in her pony, he had an opportunity to
survey her featuresn Her large, dark
and luminous eyes seemed to be literally
swimming in their liquid lustre. Her
cheeks were as soft and blooming rs the
side of a peach. Her profile was strict
ly Grecian and her parted lips showed a
row Of pearls. The most delicate taper
ed fingers encased in French kid, closed
upon the reins, and the varnished tips of
II dainty boot indicated foot that Gin
derclla 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 Il hurry
The widow turned those bewitching
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
hand 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 Capt. Champion" said the
| ,,Nt I'll J,,, ~
"Very," said the captain.
! And, indeed his looks seemed to cor
borate his statement, for he was as red as
a peony.
The captain and the old gentleman
were chatting familiarly and the former
felt himself completely at home. After
an hour was spent in this manner his
host excused himself and the old bache
lor was left alone.
A dreamy reverie was interrupted by
the sound of voices in the hall. The
captain easily recognized the widows,
and a glance through the half-open door
| showed him that her companion was a
handsome young man.
, "There, dear Bella" said the young
, man, ''don't scold any more. l wont do
it again. Give me kiss"
, A hearty smack followed. 1t was a
, veritable, 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.
g The widow tripped into the room. 1t
she was pleasing in her carriage dress,
= she was perfectly bewitchlng in her
drawing room attire. Champion could
now see the whole of that fair foot.
| "My dear sir, said she, ''your horse
is at yom service now"
Champion rose.
G But she said, ''if you will stay and
take dinner with us my uncle will be
= very much delighted, and / shall be
highly pleased"
" "The coquette!' thought Champion.
0 81 am much obliged TO you, madam, but
| have an engagement" 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 appear
ance and shook hands with the bache-
lor.
That's the horse thief, captain" said
the widow, laughing.
= The young man apologized and ex
( planned the circumstances which had
}, impcled him to take the liberty.
+ 'Iam sorry" lie added ''that we can
+ not improve the acquaintance casually
e made by erjoying your company at din
d ner, ] ann sorry you are otherwise en-
t gagged"
@ "Why, "a to that" said the captain
IS drawing off his gloves, ''your offer il
I; too tempting, and | feel compelled tC
o accept it.
! SO the horse was remanded to tho
v stable, and he stopped to dinner. Afte
/ dinner they had music, for Mrs. Lesli'
played charmlngly. Then he was per
+ suaded to stay TO tea, and in the evening
secured ten minutes tete 0-tete with TIN
s. widow, in the summer house, oyergrowl
with Madeira vines, and inhabited by
@ spider and SIX earwigs.
1t was 10 o'clock when he mounteo
A his horse to return to Boston, but it wa
bright moonlight and he was quite re
lie manticaly inclined,
a The next morning he repeated his Wis
@ il, and the neXt-and the next. In shoI
10 the episode of the borrowed horse Pre-
duced a declaration and acceptance, an
10 though years have passed away. the caI
ne tain has had no cause to regret his rid
,e with the widow in the pony ph@ton.
Lo Ely's Cream Balm is the only catarr
' remedy of many have tried which ha
90 acted rs a cure. | have been trouble
~ for over fifteen years; my head has bee
= most of the time stopped and very niue
of inhamed. 1t has opened my nostrils an
- reduced the inflammation. My eyes al