New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1870-07-17
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Down to the banks of the Thames slopes
the lawn at Woodlands of the residence OF
Mrs. Christopher Lane, widow; and beneath
the shady lines, on what is termed the
'.croquet ground, !" far enough away from
the geranium and verbena beds to do no
mischief to them, stood a party of four,
mallet in hand, on certain summer even
ing not long ago.
"Weu, said Garry Lane, 1--WE had better
make haste and choose sides or we shall not
have time for another game before we are
benighted. Remember, the evenings are
shorter than they were month ago."
With a clever stroke Of her mallet Garry
sent her croquet ball bounding to the spot
where Mr.. Hale, the curate, stood talking
with Major Warder, Of ''The Blues" and
at Woodlands for the evening,
He gave brisk jump as the ball came
with full force against his ankle, looking
around hastily at the pretty culprit, who
laughed quietly beneath the shade of her
dainty little hat and plume, her bright
young face radiant with bloom and happi-
ness.
you're hard enemy, Miss Carry" he
said, coming toward her, $50 if we are to
choose sides, shall have you on NINE"
Every WE'LL" said Garry, no way dis
pleased. LET US begin at once. Come,
Clare and Major Warder."
Holroyd and the Major on one side, Garry
Lane and the curate on the other. Report
say this young curate of Thamestown was
counting pretty Garry Lane. Perhaps he
was; at all events Garry knew best, and no
one had any right to set reports going until
they were confirmed. But if it was true,
then we can only say the curate was man
OF good taste, and he might have gone very
far before he would have found prettier
wife or warmer heart than this little
Garry Lanes.
her. Garry was all brilliance and color,
with richly tinted cheeks, sparkling roguish
eyes, and jet black locks; but Clare Hol-
royd was fair, wonderfully pale and fair; it
was only now and then that a faint, soft
tinge of color would come into her cheeks,
and tighten up her deep gray eyes. Her
hair was very beautiful-it formed quite a
glory around her pale face-such real,
bright, waving, gold-colored hair. A little,
rare smile would something's part the deli
cately-curved lips and linger there awhile,
ann then it was you would call Glare Hol-
royd very lovely. She was tall and slen-
der, and on this evening her dress was all
white. Carry Lane had placed bit of
bright scarlet geranium in the golden hair,
which formed a fitting contrast.
Garry had been telling the curate all
about Clare Holroyd, for that young lady
had only recently arrived on visit to some
friends at Thamestown, and was not known
in the neighborhood. She had just passed
through season" at London, where
Garry said she was ''raved about" People
called her flirt, but Garry couldn't see it,
unless that careless, halt-absent way in
which aha a1lnUa6 tho ossiH,,n,,c 70
arrange her croquet ball, watching him
with look of calm Indifference in her
beautiful eyes, and sometimes that rare
sweet smile on her lips, might be called
flirting.
The Major was sincere admirer of Miss
Holroyd's, but Garry denied their being
anything in it,"
The curate shook his head and wasn't sure
but what there might be.
The game proceeded very slowly, owing to
the repeated 'bad strokes" on the part of
the Major and slight absence of mind on
the part of the curate. Presently there
came out of one of the parlor windows which
opened upon the lawn. tall handsome old
lady, to look at the players.
Il have just left my invalid to himself
little, poor fellow. l wish he was able to be
out here;' she said, ensconsing herself in
garden chair under the lime trees.
'Invalid-aw ~ said the Major, arranging
his tawny moustache, and gazing silently at
the speaker "Who is he-aw-Mrs. Lanel
Didn't know you had anyone staying here"
"He has been with us week now" re.
piled Mrs. Lane. He is sort of connec-
ton Of mine-Captain Challoner, of the
-th, just home from India, where he was
wounded in the arm during the mutiny.
He is recovering from that. however, though
the arm is still in a sling but he is suffering
from frightful depression and weakness,
after an attack of brain fever. l got him
here as soon as could, for change of air.
His Is rather romantic story"
Like to hear it-aw," murmured the
Major, indefatigably smoothing his mus
tache.
Before he went to India" said Mrs. Lane
This mother told me he met, at friends
house In London, young lady-she did not
mention the name-tO whom he became at
tached, and in course of time engaged. The
wedding day was fixed, and everything ar
ranged, when suddenly, to the great sur
prise of all, the engagement was broken off
The young lady went to Brighton, and
Charlie Challoner to India. No one knew
exactly how it was, but Mrs. Challoner
thinks it was because the girl tiirted
with other admirers, and Captain Chal-
loner grew jealous; so they quarreled, and
however the girl may have felt after it, l
know he has never got over it, and it is just
what is keeping him weak and depressed,
and much fear he will never be any bet
ter He has only been away from England
. year, and here he is, a perfect wreck. 1t
Is miserable to see fine, handsome young
fellow like that as weak as an infant, hardly
able to move from the sofa, and so istless
and Indifferent" sighed the kind-hearted
Mrs. Lane.
"He is such downright good fellow,
don't know how any girl could have quar-
relied with him." exclaimed Garry, enthusi-
The eurate looked around somewhat
quickly. Was he growing suspicious!
Garry pretended not to see the look he bent
upon her. But she did see it, and she felt
rather pleased than otherwise.
"The girl must have been a heartless
do not believe he would
have given her up on any slight provoca-
ton" continued Mrs Lane, land yet
her conduct if she saw him now"
"Aw," said the Major, "quite romantic.
Shall we-aw-see this hero! this"
Don't laugh at him, Major Warner"
cried Garry, you would give your eyes to
be half as handsome"
Again the curate looked uncomfortable;
but Garry relieved him somewhat when she
added:
II have an idea that he is still devoted
to this girl, whoever she may be. l have
watched him gazing out of the window
with such far-away look in his eyes, as
If he were thinking of her and better days"
"Aw-shall we-aw-see him Tonight"
asked the Major again.
Perhaps we may induce him to come into
the drawing room after tea
"DOn't you feel nterested-aw-and
curious, Miss Holroyd? ?" asked the Major,
going up to where she stood.
She was pale at all times, but at that
moment Glare Holroyds face was CHASTITY.
"My dear, you are cold" said Mrs. Lane.
Garry, you must leave the game and come
nfo the dinnin Groom. there ia a small fire