The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1889-11-20

dinner than lose his rubber. Therefore
his disgust was great on finding that
Nellie-"that young girl'-was to be their
fourth and this disgust was not lessened
on his host saying:
"Wait bit, Capel Don't cut for part
ners. That's not the way we do here.
Nellie and ] always play together. Old
partners, arn't we, Nellie 2"
Mr.. CapePs druggist might have van
ished, and he might even have relished
the game, for the rector was a reliable
planter. But he had not bargained for
whist according to his hosts notions. Mr..
Butterfly said that a game was something
intended both to interest and to amuse,
therefore silence was unnecessary. He
also said that he liked to play In his own
way. And this was his way
"Got better hand, this time, Nellie ?'
he would say. "'Pon my word, / don't
think it is worth while for me to play at
all, this deal; such lot OF diamonds as l
have! and not court card among them
ALL"
The rector and Lesbia were accustomed
to this sort of remarks; but Mr.. Capel
snorted with rage.
Surely, Butterfly" he said, "you do not
wish us all to know what you have in your
hand?"
"Eh! what?" said the unconscious sim
ner. Il don't think it matters. Just look
there-what / won't show you, il you
would rather not see them. Still, YOU
know, it is uncommon thing to have
three knaves and-all right! all right! ]
won't say any more il you would rather
not hear. Nellie, you Begin
There was silence for few minutes.
Then Mr.. Capel said in an aggravated
Surely, BUTTERFLY beg your pardon
but | think you have revoked"
Have 1 -? Really? Don't stop for that.
1t doesn't matter this time"
Mr.. Capel leant back resignedly in his
chair.
AT any other time Nellie would have
enjoyed adding to his aggravation, and
would have humored her uncle's whims
But tonight she was too depressed to be
amused. and she played so carelessly that
even the rector remarked upon it. Lesbia
too, watched her with some anxiety, and
while apparently engrossed in her EN-
broidery, cast many a glance at the little
wan face, which grew still more wan as the
hours passed. Suddenly, irrepressible Mr.
Butterfly burst out again:
81 have got a much better hand this
time. Three aces, king and three, foul
fve-eh! did you speak?"
But by this time his guest was dumb
with rage.
Lesbia bent over her work and tried to
conceal her amusement. And Nellie
whose thoughts were far away, continued
her aimless play, when there was a ring
at the front door bell-her hands grew
cold and her faced crimson-fOotsteps in
the hall-her hands were shaking now
and her face had grown pitiably white
again. She heard her uncle and Mr.
Capel wrangling over some point in the
game-the footsteps approached the door
who was the butler speaking to in the
corridor ?-the door opened and some one
came up the room until he stood behind
her uncle and opposite to herself. She
heard Mr.. Capel's slow. irritated.
"Surely, Butterfly
And her uncle's triumphant rejoinder
Il told you so, Capel. l told you so
Hearts are trumps."
Eyes. Hearts are trumps."
And she looked up to find his eyer
fixed upon her.
'Lesbiap' she cried, "Take my place.
am tired. 1 can not play any longer.
Without waiting for reply, she sprane
up and rushed from the room. Where
should she go? Where hide herself
She did not care. Anywhere, TO be alone
/ The drawing-room was open, and she
dashed in; then fancylng that she heard
/ pursuing footsteps, she opened the win
dow and stepped out upon the lawn.
The moonlight flooded the open spaces
! while, like a dark belt, the frs anC
/ beeches encircled the lawn with massive
! blackness. From meadow and paddock
( arose the shrill chirrup of countless grass
hoppers; and on every side, from bush
/ and flower, there hoated forth the swee
/ and heavy scents of night. She stole or
tiptoe across the lawn. The cool air re
/ freshed her, and the stiffness of the night
/ filled her with a sense of rest that was no
unmixed with wonder.
! Presently, the drawing-room window
was again flung open. She shrank into
the shade Of fir. But, though love is sale
| to be blind, Roger could see what be
/ wished to see, and a few quick strides
! brought him TO her side. She raised bel
| hands with a little quivering, implorine
/ gesture, and then buried her head in them
Nellie" he said, "are you angry that
/ have come back again ?'
She shook her head vehemently, bu
made no reply. He drew step nearer.
"Are you going to drive me away again
as you sent me away this morning."
NO." Her tone was so low that he
could scarcely hear the word.
Nellie, /" his arm crept around her waist
''Nellie, my darling only one more ques
tion-and-don't say No to this one
/ Nellie"
Roger" she said shyly, twill you al
ways be kind to me, always good to me 2
| 81 will do my best. " he answered gravely
"a man can do no more than his best.
Then a smile stole into his eyes, and he
added: perhaps / had better say one
thing now. And that is, that even if We
do not always agree, still l can not pos
sibly allow my wife to dine on the door
STEP"
And Nellie said: "0-oh! Roger
FOR HIS HEAITH'S SAKE.