The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1880-05-05

could play too. A lucky shot regained,
as if by magic, the lost position and
cleared the coast. Why should her slen-
der fingers have trembled at that critical
momentY Pure eagerness, not even anx- |
iety, made them; she was not nervous
by nature, and she was confident in her
self, but she was excited, and the mallet
turned in her hand. If she had not
touched, no mischief would have been
done; but, oh, woe betide the tiresome
thing! it moved the ball, and made the
abortive attempt count as stroke.
The adversaries shouted, and the
striker stood still; but Oliver rushed to
the rescue By turns appealing, quoting,
arguing, he maintained his position until
the Others had gathered round; and the
merry voices rose and fell by turns, IN
terspersed with soft and joyous laughter.
So gay they seemed that "It is nuis-
ance to be out of it altogether" reflected
the elder. "Makes fellow feel rather
small" ....-
Then he essayed to explain to Eleanor
how it came to pass that he was SO igno-
rant. ....
81 have not been in this country for
six years; and though / have heard OF
this, l never ran across any people who
played"
"You will find rage for iteverywhere
this summer. =.
"Oh, l shall play, I suppose; I shall
get into it by and by. Are you great
handg
81? Oh, no." said Eleanor, with
faint smile. ~ know no more OF it than
you do"
Unexpected consolation. He raised
himself Oh his elbow to look into her
face.
"You don't say so!'
81 like to come here while they are
playing, and listen to their voices, and
have them all about me-" continued the
elder sister in her hen.motherly fashion;
"it makes a pretty sight; and it is such
good exercise for the girls"
Meantime you readT'
eyes" ..
"May look? Coleridge. That's odd"
i "Oddp said Eleanor, warmly. "Odd
to read Coleridge!"
"Odd that you should be reading the
Ancient Mariner just when fancied
myself to be like him."
/, Ooh? Indeed-W
"Behindhand with the world. Not
lin it, as they say on the turf. Rather
fool, you know"
Because you can not play croquet%
: "Psbaw!" said Anthony, shortly. "You
will find there are other things can not
|, do besides that
"And do you really mind?"
81 am not sure if l do, or not. ! hate
the thing; but, you see, if all the rest are
at it"
{ She thought she understood, and was
not ill-pleased. ..
Naturally he did not enjoy being left
out in the cold; and she did her best to
{ restore his self-complacency under the
, ordeal: and then at last Puss and Dot
were tired Of being umpires, and came to
join the idlers. That did better, and
they all went into the house shortly, and
candle; were brought in, and there was
music. .lu.
!, 1t was evident that Oliver was destined
to shine as much at the piano as on the
lawn. Cecil who had enjoyed her GRO
t quet, being as good player as any, now
retreated to the sofa and the society Of
, her fatlier-in-law; but Oliver was again
. in the front ranks of the performers. He
! had sweet rich voice, the very voice to
60 with Kate's clear soprano, and duets
were chosen"
"Awfully nice, is it mott" said An
: thony, ~ sently; but somehow he did
' not look as though he found it 80; he
was frowuing and silent, and the cheek
which he rested against the soft cushion
Of his chair was turned from the singers.
/ II say," called his brother, probably
I in obedience to suggestion, Anthony,
. come and take part"
"Take part! No, thank you, can
! not" ....
: Take part, indeed! He had never
taken part in his life! Talking of tax
y ing "a part" as coolly as though it were
!. taking header or fence!
a He laughed, but his laughter was rath
: er unmirthful; and there was a moment
ary silence. D.. ...
/ "It is pity" said Cecil to herself
a "but to be sure, he can listen; and really
! one can enjoy and admire, too, grea1
4 deal better when one has nothing else tt
r do, than when one has one'sown business
1 to attend to. Kate is in capital voice
and they are all looking their best"
t ut it not delightful, Anthonyw
: "Oh, delightfulp' ,.@
"Don't you like being sung to"
q "Awfully."
4 fro BE coNTfNuEDl