The Penn's Grove record., 1888-05-19

their receptions (which was often the
case), he attended them, II possible,
always taking his leave, however, with
an indifference that was actually aston
/ ishiug, exhibited, as 1t was, by q single
manageable gentleman.
So the gay and festive young gentle.
men who were his companions, praised
him as a jolly, fine fellow, with q soul
as good as gold, while the defeated
bellies, the nonplussed skirmishers, and
their speculative parents murmured
amazement at their failures. Society
in general ''gazed and wondered much,"
and all concurred in pronouncing the
bachelor o very queer fish,"
One day a polo match was announced
to take place on the amusement
grounds. There was a large attendance
of people to view the sport, for the
captain of one of the sides was reported
to be none other than Mr.. Harvey
Thackston.
When the match began, sure enough,
the captain Of the Blues, mounted upon
"a superb horse, was Immediately recog-
nized as the jolly bachelor.
The first inning, after q hard con-
test, was won by the Blues, through a
mastery final stroke effected by their
leader. and, As the bachelor rode in
from the strife, he was cheered to the
echo by his vast throng Of admirers.
The second inning began. It proved
Q greater struggle. This time victory
seemed destined for the Reds, for thsy
had the ball almost to the goal. Des-
perately excited, Harvey Thackston
spurred forward to save the battle by
another stroke, but in leaning forward
to strike the ball with his mallet. he
suddenly lost his balance. and toppled
from his saddle, his head striking the
ground with violence, where he lay
stunned and bleeding.
Cries Of horror filled the air; friends
rushed forward to the fallen mans
assistance, and he was quickly removed
to one of the field tents. But at the
moment Of his fall, far above the gene
raj peal of ex CARNATIONS, rang the
startling voice of q female from the
midst of the spe ctators upon the grand
stand, and Therese Montressor, the
reigning telle of Newport, tainted in
her mother 8 arms.
When Harvey recovered his senses,
he found himself lying upon . ham,
mock bed in one Of the coolest tents
upon the polo ground. He seemed to
betray some surprise at finding himself
alive, but this gave place to astonish-
ment when he felt q soft hand placed
tenderly upon his feverish forehead,
and heard a sweet voice inquire:
"Do you feel better, Mr.. Thack-
ston?"
He looked up. and discovered the
speaker to be the beautiful Therese
Montressor.
"Graclousl" he exclaimed. "You
here, Miss Montressorp And alone?"
"Alone? Yes, Mr.. Thackston, and
doctoring you into the bargain" she
replied, with a smile. "You had a
fearful fall. Papa and mamma took
you in charge after it happened. Every
one is at lunch now under the grand
awning, and l volunteered to stay here
to attend you"
"This IS very kind of you, Miss Mon
t~ressor, he said. 81 did not think
myself so high in your esteem as to
merit this consideration. Yes, l feel
all right again. I'll 60 out and re-
mount. Are the men waiting for
meP"
mo, indeed; they're waiting rather
for the wine service at the lunch table,
and il you are wise, Mr.. ThackstOn,
you will never mount a horse again. l
declare your fall gave me such a shock
l fa-I almost tainted. Your head Is
very feverlsh. Let me battle 1t with
this sponge and water"
Miss Montressor thereup0n proceeded
to repeat the duties she had been per-
forming at regular intervals for the
past hour. Harvey enjoyed the deli
cious treatment for some time, and
also the pleasantest chat he had ever
had with any lady OF his acquaintance.
There was a perceptible change in
the bachelors demeanor, as he listened
and talked to his charming companion.
He seemed to bestow the most sincere
attention upon her, and everything she
said. He did not Ind ulge in SO much
careless, rambling nonsense and heart
less levity, as was his won't. AS a
general thing. at any stage of a conver-
sation, Harvey was equal to all emer-
gencies, and ever ready to throw In
some of his quaint, humorous rem rks
in a way that kept the talk flowing
rippingly. Now, however, at times the
conversation was very incoherent.
There were drugs and pauses. and
actual gaps. There was evidently
something disturbing the bachelors
habitual tranquility. And he felt
there was, for under the bright chances
OF the beautiful Therese, he wriggled
and t~witched, like q being under the
influence of some fascinating basilisk.
"HelloI" cried q voice, suddenly.
"Alive againr" and turning their eyes
toward the opening Of the tent, Har-
vey and Therese saw standing there
Mr., Ralph Liston, the formers chum
of the club, who had 20 lately fallen a
victim to matrlmony.
eyes, alive again, Ralph. Come
In" said Harvey.
Ralph came In. Therese Montressor
rose.
1.-THE relief watch has come. I am
of duty" she said, Al will 60 to lunch
now, Mr.. Thackston. Good-by for the
present. Don't get talking excitedly
now, or you'll work yourself into some
dangerous fever" and she Huttered
from the tent like a butterfly.
Ralph sat down on the camp stool
which Therese had Just vacated. Only
u lew ulOlucut hdu poooCu Wucu uC
detected a strangeness in his friends
manner; an abstractedness, as IL his
thoughts were not occupied with the
subject Of which lie was talking.
Ralph smelled a mouse Immediately
"Do you know, my dear Harvey" he
said, suddenly, ''the scene l discovered
here a moment Oh two ago was Of q
rather suspicious nature. It was, by
Jovel Rather a pretty picture. Sick
warrior on couch. with. beautiful fe.
male Samaritan. Bright glances, soft
voices, and all that. Something in
that, Harvey. Confess"
"Pshaw," said Harvey, with q smile.
"Don't say pshaw to me. Go on,
Harvey. I'll not tell on you. She's a
good catch. Hook her at the first
nibble."
"Nonsense," said Harvey, with an
other smile. 81 thought you knew
better of me than that. You're q