The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1871-03-11
Yatlp argus.
+" WOUNDED"

lawn at Woodlands OF the residence of Mrs.
christopher Lane, widow, and beneath the
shady lines on what is tel med the "croauet
ground, far enough away from the geran-
ium and verbena beds to do no mischief TO
them, stood party of four malet in hand,
on certain summer evening not long
ago.
ell" said Garry Lane, I'VE had better
make haste and choose sides or we shall not
have time for another game before we are
benightsd. Remember, the evenings sre
shorter than they we're mouth age"
With clever stroke of her mAllHt, Garry
sent her croquet ball bounding to the spot
where Mr.. Hale, the curAte, stood talking
with Maj. WArdner,,of ''the Blues" aud Miss
Holroyd, who like himself were guests ct
Woodlands for the evening.
He gave brisk Jump as the ball came
with full force against his ankle, looking
around hastily at the pretty cnlPrls VINO
laughed quietly beneath the shade OF her
dainty little hat and plume, her bright
young face radiant with bloom and hapDi-
ness.
'"You're a hard enemy, Miss Garry" he
said. coming toward her, $50 five are to
choose sides shall have you on mine"
avery well" said Garry, no way dis
pleased. "Let us begin at once. Come
Glare and Maj WArduer.n
ii So the battle began in real eaSnest-Clsre
I olroyd and the Major on one side, and
srry Lane and the curate on the other.
Report said this young curate from Thames
town was counting pretty Garry Lane. Per
hsps he was. At all events, Garry knew
best, and no one had any right to set reports
going until they we're confirmed. But if IT
was true, then we oan only say the curste
was q man of good taste, and he might have
gone very far before he would bsve found a
prettier wife, and o warmer heart than this
little Garry Lanes.
The other girl formed quite contrast
TO her. Garry was all brilhAncv aud color,
with richly tinted cheeks, sparkling roguish
eyes, aud Jet black locks: but Glare
Holroyd 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 wss very beautiful; it
formed quite glory around her pale face !;
such real, bright, gold colored hair. A lit.
tie, rare smile woud sometimes part the
dehcsteIy curved lips and the linger there
while, and then it was you would call Glare
Holyrod very lovely. She was tall and slen
der, and on this evening her dress Was oil
white. Garry Lane had placed bit of
bright scarlet gerAnium in, her golden hair
which formed = fitting contrast.
Garry had been telling the curate ell about
Clare Holroyd, for that young lady had only
recently arrived on visit to some friends
ct Thamestown, and was not known in the
neighborhood. She had Just passed through
NIL I ha
was "rsvedn about. People called her hirt,
but Care couldn'E see it, unless that care
less, half absent way in which she allowed
the asaiduous Major to arrange her croquet
ball, watching him with look of calm indif,
ference in her beautiful eyes, and sometimes
that sweet smile on her lips. might be called
flirting.
The Major vas a sincere Admirer of Miss
Holyrod, Garry denied their being anything
IN it.
The curAte shook his head and WASH 4
sure but what there might be.
The game proceeded very slowly owing tC
the repeated bad strokes on the part o.
the Major, aud q slight absence of mind OF
the part OF the curste. Presently there came
out Of the parlor windows which opened upor
the lawn, q tall, handsome old lady to look q
the players.
81 have Just left my invalid to himself
little, poor fellow. wish he was able to b,
out here" she said, ensconsing herself in 1
garden chair under the lime trees.
"Iuvald-aw :" said the Major arranging
his tawny mustache, and gazing silently q
the speaker. "Who Is he-Aw- Mrs. Lane
Didn't know you had any one staying
here
He has been with us week now,
replied Mrs. Lane. "He is sort of conneC
ton of mine-CsptAin Challoner, of tn
-ht, just home from india, where he wa
wounded in the arm during the mutiny. Il
is recovering from that, however, though tn
the arm is still in sling; bu
he is suffering from frightfIl depression
and weAkens, after an attack of brain fever
/ got him here ss soon as l could 70
e change of air. His is rather romapti
story"
Like to bear it-aw," murmured tb
Major, indefstigably stroking his mus
tAche.
Before he went TO India" said Mr.
Ian e, This mother told me he met at
friends house in London, young lady
she did not mention the nRme-to who
he became attached, and in course of tin
engaged. The wedding day was fixed al
everything arranged, when suddenly to Il
great surprise of all, the engagement WI
broken Oft. The young lady went to Brig
ton, and Charley ChAlloner to India.
one knew exactly how it was, but Mr.
Challoner thinks 1t was because the ri
fiirted with other admirers, and CAPITA
Challoner grew Jealous so they quarrele
and however the girl may have left after
know he has never got over it, and it
lust what is keeping him weak and depres
ed and much fear he will never be al
better. He has only been away from En-
land year, and here he is perfect wrec
1t is miserable to see q fine, handson
young fellow like that as weak as an infaL
hardly able to move from the sofa, and
listless and Indifferent" sighed the kin
hearted Mrs. Lane.
ale is such downright good fellow
don't know how any girl could have qua
relied with him, exclaimed Garry, enthus
astically.
The CITRATE looked around somewh
quickly. Was he growing suspicious
Garry pretended not to see the look he bel
upon her. But she did see it, and she fe
rather pleased than otherwise.
"The girl must have been q heartle
coquette, for do not believe he would ha,
given her up on any slight provocation
continued Mrs. Lane, "and yet think eli
could not but reproach herself for her co
duct if she could see him now"
"Aw," said the Major, quite romanti
Shall we-sw-see this hero ? this"
Don't laugh at him, Major Warbler
cried Carrie, you would give your eyes to
half as handsome"
And again the curste looked uncomfor
able; but Carrie relieved him somswh
when she added:
81 have an idea that he is still devoted
this girl, whoever she may be. ma,
watched him gazing out of the window wi
such tar away look in his eyes, as if
were thinking Of her and better days."