The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1888-02-23
was, by single, marriageable gentle

ers, and their speculative parents,
murmured amazement ri t..eir fail
ures. Society in general 'gazed and
wondered much" and all concurred in
pronouncing the bachelor very
''queer fish"
One day polo-match was announced
20 take place on the amusement
grounds. There was a large attend
ance of people to view the sport, for
the captain of one of the sides was re.
ported to be none other than Mr.. Har.
vey Thackston.
When the match began, sure enough,
the captain of the Blues, mounted
upon superb horse, was immediately
recognized as the jolly bachelor.
The first innings, after hard con-
test. was won by the Blues, through a
mastery final stroke effected bv 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 innings began. 1t
proved greater struggle. This time
victory seemed destined for the Reds,
for they had carried the ball almost 10
the goal. Desperately excited, Har-
vey Thackston spurred forward to
save the battle by another grand
stroke, but, in leaning forward to
strike the ball with his mallet, he sud-
denly 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 as
sistance, and he was quickly removed
TO one of the field tents. But at the
moment of his fall, far above the gem
eral peal of eNclamations, rang the
startling voice of a female from the
midst of the spectators upon the grand
stand, and Therese MontrPssor. the
reigning belle of Newport, tainted in
her mothers arms.
When Harvey recovered his senses.
he found himself lying upon ham
mock-bed in one of the coolest tents
upon the background. He seemed to
betray some surprise in finding HIM
self alive, but this gave place to aston
ishment when he felt soft hand placed
tenderly upon his forehead, and heard
a sweet voice inquire:
do you feel better, Mr.. Thack-
STOMP"
He looked up, and discovered the
speaker to be the beautiful Therese
Montressor.
'Gracious!' he exclaimed. "You
here, Miss Montressor? 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.
Everyone is a lunch now under the
grand awning, and l volunteered to
stay here to attend you"
''This is very kind of you, Miss
Moutressor," he said. 81 did not think
myself so high in your esteem as to
merit this consideration. Yes, | feel
all right again. I'll go out and re-
mount. Are the men waiting for
me?"
mo, indeed; they're waiting rather
for the wine-service at the lunch-table,
and if you are wise, Mir. Thackston.
you will never mount horse again.
declare your fall gave me such
shock / fa-l almost tainted. Your
head is very feverish. Let me bathe
it"
Miss Montressor thereupon proceed
ed to repeat the duties she had been
performing at regular intervals for
the past hour. Harvey enjoyed the
delicious treatment for some time, and
also the pleasantest chat he had ever
had with any lady of his acquaint-
ance.
There was perceptible change in
the bachelors demeanor us he listened
and talked to his charming compan-
ion. He seemed to bestow the most
sincere attention upon er and every
thing she said. He did not indulge in
so much careless rambling nonsense
and heartless levity as was his wont.
As general thing, at any stage of
conversation, Harvey was equal TO all
emergencies, and ever ready to throw
in some of his quaint humorous re-
marks in way that kept the talk flow
ing ripplingly. Now, however, \at
times the conversation was very inco-
herent. There were drags, and pauses,
and actual gaps. There was evident
ly something disturbing the bachelors
habitual tranquility. And he felt there
was, for under the bright glances OF
the beautiful Therese, he wriggied and
twitched, like a being under the intiu-
ence of some fascinating basilsk.
"Hallo" cried voice suddenly.
"Alive again?" and turning their eyes
towards the opening of the tent, Har-
vey and Therese saw standing there
Mr.. Ralph Liston, the formers chnm
of the club, who had so lately fallen a
victim to matrimony.
"Yes. alive again, Ralph. Come
in."
Ralph entered. Therese MontressOr
rose.
1.-The relief watch has come. 1 am
off duty" she said. 81 will go to
lunch now, Mr. Thackston. Goodbye
for the present. Don't get talking ex-
citedly now, or you'll work yourself
into some dangerous fever" and she
fluttered from the tent like Il butterfly.
Ralpl sat down on the camp-stooi
which Therese had just vacated. Only
a few moments had passed when he de-
tected a strangeness in his friends
manner-an abstractedness, as if his
thoughts were not occupied with the
subject of which he was talking.
Ralph smelt mouse Immediately.
"Do you know, my dear Harvey"
he said suddenly, 1.-THE scene | discov-
cred here moment OF two ago was of
a rather suspicious nature? 1t was,
by Jove! Rather a pretty picture.
Sick warrior on couch, with beautiful
female Samaritan. Bright glances,
soft voices, and all that. Something
in that, Harvey. Contest
"Pshaw!" said Harvey with a 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."
"NonscnseT said Harvey, with an
other smile. Il thought you knew
better of me than that. You're clown
Ralph"
"Love is flooring you at last, Harvey
i know it"
mo, sir. Ha. ha! What a silly
noodle you are, Ralph. Do YOU sup
pose that have passed over and over
again through roaring flames to be
finally scorched and cooked by trivial
puff like this? That the last bachelor
! of the club, the magnificent tail-piece
of celibacy, is yielding himself to the
common fate, more easily, perhaps,
than any of you?"
That's it, precisely. l have often
said, Harvey. that our braggart SOL
der, fighting to the last, would prove