The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1875-07-17
MIR. COLLINS CROQUET SET.

Croquet, that eminently fascinating game
was introduced on the premises of the Col
Inns, Friday. In the afternoon Podge's
boy brought up the set, and just before
tea Mrs. Collins arranged the wickets.-
Collins had learned to play when visiting
in Glovershire, last summer, and Mrs. Col
Inns acquired an indifferent knowledge of
the game from two elderly maiden sisters
on Paxton street. And so on that delicious
Friday afternoon, they took out the mallets
and balls and commenced the game.
CHOW, Emeline," playfully observed
Mr.. Collins, "don't you begin cheating at
the start. If you do, the game will be
prostituted to mere gambling, an We'll in
iure our moral natures in trying to build
up our physical
"People who are SO ready to charge
against others need close watching them
selves, young man." said she, in the same
spirit, "and mean to keep sharp eye on
you"
Then they both laughed.
"But it will be good thing for you,
Emeine," he said, with tinge of tender
ness in his voice. "You are kept cooped
up in the house so, that you hardly get a
breath of fresh air This will give you
exercise, and keep you out doors, too"
"You are always thinking of me-" said
she, as her eyes grew moist. "You need
the out door air as much as l do, but you
are too unselfish to think of yourself"
And thus exchanging sentiments, which
did credit to both their hearts, the game
progressed.
After passing through the center wicket,
Mr. Collins used her ball to help himself
through the other wickets to the upper
stake. Then he left her near the first
wicket, and struck for the stake, which
being about eight inches distant, made
him over confdant. The ball missed by
about an eighth of an inch.
81 declare" he exclaimed in vexation.
Then she, having watched his rapid pro-
gress with clouded face, now struck for
him and hit him, and minute later his
ball was spinning through the grass to the
other end of the ground. She was now in
position for her wicket, and passed through
it and the others to the stake, but missed
it. Then he came up by well-directed
blow to within two inches of the stake
But she went for him again, and when she
got through she was three wickets beyond
the stake, and his ball was at the other end
of the ground again, and his brow was
finely corrugated. He stepped nervously
toward it. 1t was quite evident that he
was not unruffied. When his turn came
again he drove back to the stake but struck
a wicket, and rebounded so close to hel
that she easily hit him, and again introduce
ed him through wickets he was not for
and then sent him flying again. Her sue
cess caused her to laugh and he heard it.
"You think you are pretty smart, bu
I'll get even with you," he said, without
smiling.
you'll have to play better than you
have done,' she pertinently suggested.
81 think know as much about croque
as you do" he said, still with straigh
face.
You don't play as if you did," she re
torted.
elf you'd had any fairness about you
you'd let me had that stroke over, when
was up to the stake. You knew I slipped
as well as I did," he said, growing red il
the face.
"No, didn't know anything about it,
she replied, taking on little color.
81 say you did,"
"And l say l didn't. But if you ar
going to play this game, why don't you g
ahead"
"Tll play when l get ready" he answer
ed, turning white about the mouth.
eff you amt going to play, you'd bette
90 into the house and shut up" she sug
gested, raising her voice.
"Don't you talk to me that way" b
cried, cor I'll make you sorry for it, yo
brazen-faced hussy."
"Hussy, hussy"' she screamed. "Ain