The Arkansaw traveler., 1883-11-10

been sitting for about quarter of an hour encouraging this unfortunate youth to talk nonsense to her, by Captain Crawford, who said, htfle satir- ically:
 "l'm sorry to disturb you, Miss Raine {; but all our party are ready so go, and Mrs. Layton IS looking for your
 Up jumped Ethel, and, with cool nod to her victim, took Captain Crawford's arm, remarking gaily, as they went back to the ballroom:
 Now l shall get wigging."
 Pon my word, think you deserve it," he sad dyly. Captain Crawford did not dance with you a, all, did he:" inquired Flora, as she and her sister paused at Ethel's door to say goodnight.
 Of course he didn't,r said Alice !" he is great ceal too vain of his height and his fine figure to make himself look ridiculous by dancing with so small a person.
 II got on very well without him" Ethel said. with little toss of her head, bu, something very like tears in her eyes.
 He doesn't really care for dancing" pursued Alice but he thinks he and Mrs. Lord make such handsome couple that he does not object to showing of with her
 "Oh. I'm sick of Mrs Lord and her smart gowns cried Ethel petiishly [" ood-night, and she entered her room, slamming the door in her friends faces with very cant courtesy.
 Mnrt ka las, ,I with the ( exception of Mrs. Lord. who was going on to house in the neighborhood on Monday, and Captain Crawford, who was to remain for shooting party on Wednesday and Thursday. Ethel always came for an indefinite period. Mrs. Lord kept pretty strict guard over Cap tain Crawford all day, but went to her room 10 rest after tea under the delusion that her captive was safe in the smoking room till dinner time; but he appeared ! in the drawing-room ten minutes after she had left il.
 Will you come and play billiards, Miss Raine:''
 "Yes. l don't mind," Ethel said, her tone very demure, but her eyes spark ling.
 Miss Alice IS coming to mark for us. hear } ou play very well
 This IS an honor unto which l was no, born, remarked Ethel, in perfectly audible aside to Alice. fear 1 shall collapse under the weight of it.
 This little piece of satire reaching his ears, Captain Crawford turned around to look at her and laugh, as he led the way to the biliard-room. Ethel could play | iitaVds-,f ak ka ,l., lishmeni she possessed-and she won the first game but her success elated her so much that her spirits ran away with her, and she now played so badly that her adversary took her 10 task.
 = Look here, Miss Raine; next week I'll give you lesson every night. You would play very we'll, but you want bal last in ,hls as Tn everything get too excited.
 You are very kind. Suppose were to give you a lesson instead You would be a good player if you had a little less ballast in that and everything else You are too much in the habit of pretending you don't think anything worth any trou- ble. The sense of your own dignity weighs you down.
 l am greatly honored by your having studied my character so atientively." he said. much amused.
 She flushed 10 the roots of her hair, saying angrily:
 have never studied your character It IS written on every line of your face 1t IS revealed Tn every infection of your voice. in your every word and gesture. :"
 " lt must be very unpleasant. seeing the impression left Is so had =
 His voice was cold and, having turned away. Ethel did not see the smile on his i face. A shadow came over her own :: and after moments silence, she said meekly, almost entreatingly:
 "l beg your pardon; Pm afraid was rude. didn't mean to be-"
 Oh, Ethel. you goose"' murmured Alice under her breath but Captain Crawford's somewhat cynical face soft ened as 1t never did to Mrs Lord. though he only said
 Rude. should think so bu, don't mind."
 Mrs. Lords face at dinner was rather expressive when some allusion was made to the billiard playing.
 I'll give you a hint, Ethel" Alice said, as they walked to church on Sun day, Captain Crawford and the widow be- ing ever so far behind. Mrs Lord IS afraid of you
 Please don't.' said Ethel, piteously It IS not kind of you to remind me of the dreadful nonsense talked the other day. It was only loke. couldn't GU, out Mrs. Lord. and-and don't wish to: and he really isn't so bad as you said. at anyrate.' finished Ethel, her usual spir- its suddenly regaining the aecendency. couldn't be bothered undertaking so hopeless task as taking him down." ! Certainly. as long as Mrs Lord was in the house i, was hopeless task, for mo- body go, chance to speak to the cap- tain but whether this was the result of hls admiration or her skillful per,inacity II IS not easy 10 say. But Mrs. Lord went away on the Monday, her las, words be- ing addressed to Captain Crawford.
 "iou will be sure to come and see me < '