The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1875-12-19

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check.
OF course, from the family circle,
the poor cousins in washci-uut piques
were cN lud"d 10y the family III
their actions. They continued, how
ever, to umuse themselves rs well ms
the nature OF tn prOUnd 10 whtch thcy
were cxllcd would allow did not qiairel
moro than Is usual ut cfuuuct; had even
merry little jokes among themselves wh'n
the balls ratified away IN the direction ot
the lake, and showed great activity and
pretty ankles in pursuit OF them But
what were pretty ankles aud pleasant
smiles when displayed 10y girls VINO were
80 badly dressed, were known To be mt-rr-
ably poor, ana TO uhhbit some vulgar
suburb of London. Girls, 1T WAS even
whispered, VINO gave lessons IN music,
when they could get pupils, lthcr than hr
too much beuuldcu to their kind uncle,
who certainly had he known II, would
have prevented their submitting to such
drudgcrv. One Of them was even sus-
pcctcd-oh, horrorl-ot being engaged to
some man who was an usher. or tutor or
clerk of some kmd-Or at all events TO
some one who, like lIoHuO had "nothing
but his good spirits to feed and clothe
him. Gould anything be more utterly
dcpraved.
In the mean time, the groups on the lawn
were very gay and animated. The set that
possessed the heir were of course in the
highest spirits while the others, looking
forward to his joining them later, watched
All ttlNt went OIL, tnNlOuS vet nODtIul. lie
conducted himself disCrcetlv, taking all
the homage rs his due, and returning IL III
compliments and polite attentions. lie
certainly did not distinguish himself In the
game; but what of that y-Croquet was for
the time A mere pTCtcuCc tOr lettering
about. and giving each fair candidate an
opportunity of displaying her pot airs and
gilOcs.
Thus far, them he had no chance Of show
ing any preference, AMI exciting jealous
M lrn non
orul agreed that never had "a nicer party
been gwen ut the house. and never had tho
young ladies OF the family been 50 charm-
ing and agreeable?
In the midst Of all this excitement, an in
cdcnt occurred which pOintclly exhibited
the modern idea of hospitality, in the diff
fcrent welcome accorded to fortunes IA
vorites and those less honored with her
smiles. A second time servant came out
To tell Mrs. Leighton that a gentleman had
arrived, aud was waiting in tho library,
having walked up from the station.
Mrs. Leighton exchanged a few words
with Mrs. lleathcote. and disappeared, re-
| turning shortly with quiet-lOOking young
mau, whose appeal allcc was not Improved
bv the dust OF the high road, which COW
cred his unpretending costume.
Various signals were made among the
! ladies Us she came out, and passed among
| the different groups: ana slightly saying
| that she found this gentleman was Cro-
| quet player, aud the set on the bank was
less full. she led him at once Ia the party
| of the poor cousins, aud there lett him to
make his way rs best he could. What bet
] ter fate could Il LAWYER clerk expect
| aud. after all, it was not such bad fate
either. Those amlable girls, feeling for
/ the slight lie had suffered, Immediately
| did all they could TO make up 10 him for IT,.
| one of the ladies of the party having COM
! planned OF fatigue, they decided On begin
/ ming new game, with the stranger 10 re-
place her, while she reposcd and neither
| sister showed that she thought herself de-
| graded by beng for an hour the partner
| Of u lawyers clerk and "A very dusty one
into the bai gain. lie apolosizcd for his
deshabillc, saying he was not aware there
was party; and the ladies' were shortly
/ rewarded Tor their condescensiOn, II con-
! sCeuslon II was. Tor not only II appeared
that the newcomer was first rate player,
| soon turning the scale of victory on lis
side, but better sim, on hearing his part
ncr Miss Ann Leighton, called by the
rather vulgCr, yet not common, name of
! Nancy, lac exclaimed, Nancy. Nancy
leighton! | suspect have heard great
deal OF Won; do you know William Fos-
teri The smiles OF one sister and the
peachmcut "Ah. Isec you do; then you
must know he is my best und dearest
friend.
Had M angel suddenly spread his wings
before them. he could not have inspired
moro respect or given more pleasure.
] W imam roster WAS lIlt HUlilt u inc nc
trothed Of the younger sister, The despised
! usher or tutor who, though in holy orders,
| lad so little chance OF a living rs TO sup
! port himself 10y nnpartlng To Others the
/ learning lie had already acquired; hut
! who, Notwithstanding his small means and
/ humble occupation, was udored by this
, sample family.
They were like acquaintance Of old
standing Immediately. The stranger had
So much to say. lie had heard so much Of
them, and apparently all in Their favor,
/ from his friend, VINO seemed 10 DO endOW-
| cd with all the garIulity OF lover eNpa-
uatiug on the charms OF hls mistress. aud
| TO have includod the Whole family in
! his conversation. Many an auecdote was
repeated and laughed over. So they played.
I and chattcd. AMI grew intimate and friend
/ ly; and of all the groups on that extensive
/ lawn. perhaps the meIrlc,t was that de-
/ spi-cd one IN the slope, cOnTvsci Of the
| paIinls II the party, but whose only
! trouble seemed to be that the balls would
sonnet tunes escape, aud glide swiftly to-
I ward Tie water.
\ much more serious cause Of anxiety
occupied the others. The bah at all then
! feet, the great matrimonial pre-, seemed
/ dkely 10 escape them, or, at all events, to
become tue prey Of the least considered of
then number,
For some time Mr. Smith was pleasant
and complimentary TO Nil. and, a. It
SEEMED, to all alike, They grew desperate:
lar checks Hu-utd, Mullc UinNs, GlONed
IN the freshest Paris kid, tYcmblcd with
emotions; aud only the cOuienauccs Of
good society restrained them from display
ing openly the feelings OF JEALOUS rivalry
of each other, and admiration of the haud-
some aud charming, but too undrmou-tI,l-
tive swain, which tillcd their hearts.
by and bY, however. one iair one.
the yOuugcst Miss Leighton, pretty
dcbutanto, only just out, aud new 10
the world aud lis proprielIcs, seemed
hkcly TO ovcrstcp the bounds OF prudery
AT least aud show openly 10y looks and
even words, her admiration OF his beauty
ana pleasure in his society. What Was
worse, ne seemed conscious of her undis-
Euised preference, and inclined TO return
II ~ devotlng himself TO her; 50 AT least II
, seemed To The jealous eyes that WATCHER
! the scene, and the words forward mlnN,
! aud even "disgnccful conduct, might he
| heard borne in angry whispers on the
| afternoon DiccIc.
The nammas took an eager II comma.
lively passive part ia all this. .irs. Telsh,
ton was calmly triumphant, while Lady
/ tinrchihc.t and Mrs. Hoathcote locke,
! dagger NJ their half-sstcrs.
And 50 time wore ON, tho shadows
heightened, matrons and prudent chape
runs began to talk of the Tlsng dcWs o
Iaa IL