The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1875-10-02

tudu yOu N6Ie bulS udy SIX months.
Getting fleshyp' The subject would not
admit oil levity and | resented tartly: ''Tll
defy any one to get 'fleshv,' as you term it Il
have Suspicion that Smith is occasionally
coarse in your company"
determined to drag in the Bengal tiger
after this, and wishing to impress Smith by
the friendly terms existing between Dot and
myself began:
Miss Elton told me-" without any dis
tinct idea how to finish, when Smith ex-
claimed:
well! Why we are connected, if not related.
The mother was amy mothers third cousin,
or something of that Sort"
On the croquet ground he put forth his
claim as audaciously as fit really existed.
l felt it was nothing OF the sort, and whereas
l had formerly respect for Smith, I began
to think his principles decidedly dubious.
Oh, brown eyes!
We were at Stockton Brook for croquet,
not for "croquet," as Hatty saucy reminded
us, SO shall confine myself strictly to one of
as smooth as velvet; it was the pride of the
girls, while even the old squire scarcely
grudged the ground.
Dol took it into her head to learn my
stroke; so l, formerly ''spOOn," became au-
thority, and with her as pupil taught it
successfully every morning, until my aunt
looked doubtful, and finally joined the game
herself. She has mentioned since that she
associates croquet with penal seryitude. and
the sound of the balls with the treadmill.
There was no ''wind and weather permit
ting" in this case. Dot and cousins tied lace
handkerchiefs over their heads and found an
east wind 'ouly refreshing" If it raned,
we finished under umbrellas. When ii
grew dark we had lanterns and torches.
The days went on, and our play was as
near perfection as mortal play can be. And
l was badly hit. played blue and ''hoped,''
while Dot held red, symbocal of the havoc
she wrought among hearts. I piloted her;
we were partners. Her ball lay in trusting
confidence by mine, and we stood to win,
while Bruce was sent away with force of
which should scarcely thought those small
hands capable. Smith (for the other side)
looked battery of needle guns at me, and
professed to laugh at my ''fukes," while /
with glance suggestive of mitrailleuse at
its worst retorted with INTENT" ga cannon
on the face of it, and fattered myself had
him there.
What would you have? We bad been ed
ucated at considerable expense for the bar;
felt that we must air our legal knowledge
somewhere, and if fate in the guse of a
wooden-headed attorney, denied us a court
to shine in, our friends must have the benefit
of Blackstone.
1t was evident to all that Smith and were
no longer the friends we had been before
these "brown eyes" came between us and
shut out all remembrance of our old uie in
time. Looking back to that time, am sure
he would as soon have thought Of well, of
cutting Off his whiskers as of borrowing my
razor in the free-and-easy style of week be-
fore. Only one thing remained unaltered-
our thoughts as ever ran in one channel.
If came on Smith putting vigorously at an
unlighted cigar, L knew the direction of his
thoughts, and he knew that l knew it.
When l read the newspaper upside down;
when the subtlest point at the chancery bar
failed to excite my admiration, and the wool
sack seemed comparative trife, he knew
my thoughts lay in land bounded on all
sides by brown eyes, and 1 knew that he
knew it. u y
He either fears his fate too much,
Or bis deserts are small,
That dares not put it to the touch,
10 gain or lose it all!
was CD my lips that morning as I walked to-
ward the croquet ground in search of Dot,
my intention, resolved on when alone in the
breakfast room, being ''to put it to the
touch" Whether should carry it out when
came into the presence, was another thing;
for in spite of that inspiriting verse [ felt de-
cidedly nervous, hated my coat, and had
great doubts on the subject of my tie and
"deserts" in general.
Bruce was leaving her side as I came up,
and her flushed face. her sparkling eyes,
spoke of Indignation, probably, for as I Stood
looking rather bewildered, a tear rolled down
her cheek.
A tear! Dot in tears! seized mallet w.
ing near, which Rugged ferociously, for fear
might be tempted beyond the bounds of
prudence; and take Dot in my arms in my
wish to express sympathy. I knew Smith
would have felt the same
"How foolish you must think mep' she
said, looking up rainbow like: Captain Bruce
has been say-saying that croquet-I am
quite ashamed to repeat his words-that cro-
quet is 'humbug.'"
Her voice faltered, and her mallet fell to
the ground. Ipicked it up as she brushed a
sossamere handkerchief over her eyes, and
then almost unconsciously took the hand eX-
tended for the mallet Bruce was a brute
without doubt. What pretty hand it was,
with its delicate network of blue veins, pre- tty
dimples, and soft, pink palm!
She looked at me apeeangly, with those
sweet eyes swimming in tears.
80 unfeelihglyy, you know she said.
Coarse brute, | returned, Indignantly.
HForgive me, Dot. May call you Dot, dear
Dot? If be would say anything to hurt your
feelings he deserves to be Drained with this
| mallet." And still held the hand while l
fourshed the proposed instrument of ven
geance.
''Dot," 1 continued.
"Hush," she said hurredly, changing color.
"Another time. Somebody is calling. Yes
yes, am coming" And she fastened away,
turning to wave her hand before she disap-
peared among the trees, while l, the happy
recipientof her confidence, stolled off in an
other direction.
"Wasn't this-isn't this better than any
woolsack?" l asked exultingly, as threw
myself down under tree. "Another time
she would listen. Her love. And then an
heiress, too. What would her father say
and Smith? Poor Smith, to fancy she loved
him As to Bruce, confound his insolence.
Croquet humbug! What next, I wonder?'
felt too excited to return to the house,
and strong wish to work the excitement off
lest my feelings should betray me; SO unfast-
ening the boat I pulled steadily down the
river for couple of hours.
II thought every one was deserving u.s."
said my aunt, plaintively, as / met her on
my return. "You out, and Captain Bruce
has had telegram summoning him to town.
1t seems very inhospitable, but 1 really feel
relieved; he was so very agreeable, and has
nothing but his pay, and it really would not
do. The General would be furious. Poor
uttiO AOG udo ouCu d utdudCuG nave maze
her go and lie down for two or three hours"
''Poor little Dot! No, it would not do" I
returned, and made my escape.
Dot did not make her appearance at din
ner, and as we men went into the garden TO
enjoy our cigars, I saw Belle, most benevo-
lent of Hebes, carrying cup of tea to the in
valid. How 1 longed to send a message of
sympathy, but cold prudence forbade; so
looked wistfully at the bearer, who smiled
archlv and shook her head.
On the river I had made up my mind that
Smith should not go on ''feeding vain pas
sion," as POLITICALLY expressed it. but should
know the real slate of affairs. It would be
only kind, poor fellow, and watched my op-
pertunity.
SIT strikes me-" remarked Fred, after a
few pufs-"It strikes me the pater can give
us better weeds than these. Just wait
minute, you two fellows. 1 shall not be
minute
Here was chance. "Smith," 1 began, 81
am sorry" Smith looked cynical. repeated,
II am very sorry" when there was sound
of hurried foot steps, and Hetty appeared on