The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1885-08-07
summarily disposed of by Estelc a
few minutes previously.

KIND oil undlgnlhed shamble, his head
forward and his hands forever in his
pockets. Estelle managed to convey
her opinion of him to Mary by a rapid
little grimace and shrug of the shout
ders before he came up to them.
allow do you do, Maryl How do
you do, Mademoiselle-er-I really
forget your name
He put out his hand to Estelle in
an unthinking way, much to her dis
pleasure. lie ought only TO have
bowed; and how dared he forget her
name Her reluctant little fingers Just
touched his.
liivers saw now, and his lips
twitched with amusement.
',Beg your pardon, I'm sure. I'll
only bow another time he said,
bluntly. "lIate shaking hands myself
it's barbarous custom. | suppose you
are bound, like me, for Charlesworths,
Mary?"
On her asserting he turred and
walked beside her, without asking
whether his company was desired or
not.
"1f you were polite, Arthur, you
would offer to carry my racquet and
Shoes observed Mary, laughing.
"You can't imagine what bad opinion
Mademoiselle Verres is forming of
you
lie took the things from her, rapidly
glancing up and down Estelle, who
looked overwhelmingly pretty under her
rose-lined parasol.
"Quite right, too,' he returned, with
smile. "You see,' Mademoiselle,
I've no sisters to lick me into shape
Estelle was not sufficiently well up
in English slang to understand quite
what he meant by this, but, gathering
from the pleasantness of his smile that
it could not have been anything rude,
she condescended to answer.
"Ive no sisters or brothers either"
she said naively.
"Ah thought so. "
"Why ?"
Rivers had guessed il from her man
ner, which was very much that of a
spoiled only child; but he managed to
escape blunderingly from telling her
so. BY this time they had reached
Mrs. Southworth's lawn, and with a
short "Oh, can say; intuition, l sup
pose" he hastily crossed over to where
the fair, slender Eva Charlesworth was
standing, racquet In hand, talking to
the Armitage. Neither of these two
particularly wanted him, and after q
little while Eva gracefully sent him
back to Estelle, who did not play ten
mis- and who had been left stranded or
garden chair, while the rest of the
guests were occupied with the game
She felt so neglected and uncomforta
BILE that it was quite a relief wher
Rivers came and sat down beside her
"We ought to fraternize,' he said
| drawing his chair rather forward 50 as
to get good view of her face, ''since
we neither of us play this all-engross
ing game. Are you over in England
for long?"
Estelle allowed herself to be grad
ually drawn into conversation, ant
was getting quite interested in compar
ing notes with him about the Rivers
when an amused, approving little noe
and smile from Mary brought the colo
to her face. She was complete chile
in many respects, and her vexation al
finding herself blushing was so grea
that the tears started to her eyes
Rivers wondered what on earth haC
happened; but if his manners wer,
abrupt, his good feeling was rarely a
fault, and he showed tact now.
II brought home no end of memen
toes" he continued, quietly, sane
among them some flowers from Men
Nne-roots | mean--which / plante,
in the garden here for Mrs. Charles
worth. Would you like to see them ?
Estelle sprang up, ready to go any
where rather than continue to sit wit
her face in full view of all the players
She was sure every one must be looking
at her. But in a very few minutes
thanks to Rivers tactics, she was hel
self again, and inwardly determined t
pay Mary out.
This little episode Lad cured her Q
her dislike to the young engineer, an
before the evening was over her fee
ings had undergone further revulsior
She and Mary were asked, with som
OF the other guests, to stay to the
o'clock supper at Mrs. Charlesworth'
and later on there was a general vot
for music. Estelle was known to hav
a beautiful voice, but she was exceed
ingly nervous, and could not be pre-
vailed upon to sing until Eva suggeste
that she should be supported by viz
! lin obligato.
THAT would give me courage" Il
telle admitted, "and | know this sou
for voice and violin; but who is I'll
virtrfoso?'
"Oh !! my fiddle and | are at HON
in this drawing room,' said River
coming up quickly and drawing a cas-
from under low settee
Estelle regarded him doubtfully,mal
ing up her mind that she would ste
singing at once if his playing did n,
please her. She need not have bee
alarmed. lie was athorough musician
and soon she confessed to herself tn
she had never been accompanied wit
such instructive sympathy. Her me
low voice gathered strength and eve
J ess as she felt she could rely on VI
response of his violin to its faintest !
, Elections, and at the end of the sou
their eyes met in glance of mutu
understanding and admiration.
Hal Armitage turned to Eva Charlie
A worth with significant chuckle.
sour good Arthur is smitten,"
said-"settled and done for"
I Eva followed the direction of b
/, eyes and appraised Estelle critically.
II hope it may be so" she answer
, gently,
:, CHAPTER III.