Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1894-12-13

r-as wrong directly Jney emerged Into
tbe lght, for the lamps were all lit in
tbo dining-room. and revealed the
bonnv brow black as night, and the
rosebud mouth Enthusiastically drawn
down at the corners and for the life
If her the kind old lady could not
tbnk what was at the bottom OF it; but
nrpsertlv she Observed with relief that
there was an effort to throw off the
cloud and when at length, though not
forawhile, in response to some merry
story told across the table Tor her
especial benefit, Jerrys own bell-like
LAUGH rang out again, high and clear
and sweet as young bird s, she was so
reioiced to hear it that she forgot to
note that the transformation was
neither due to any efforts of her own
nor of her grandson.
TO Cecil, indeed, Jerry was all
shoulder.
She had no eyes nor ears for him
until after that laugh had brought her
out of her mood: and Bellenden him
self could not but have been conscious
Of the blazing radiance of the eyes
which so continuously sought his, and
of Their ready response to every ap-
prOach he made.
by Jove, she will be beauty one
of these days." he told himself. "By
love, Master Raymond, you had bet
fer be we'll forward in the field before
more of the pack open cry. The little
heiress will be prize worth the run
ming for. Had [ been dozen years
younger-but, however, [ am not a
marrying man, or should have been
done for long ago. Luckily I don't
need to 60 heiress hunting, neither"
And so it was he merely felt pleased
and a little touched by the sparkling
young face opposite, pleased to find
himself still capable Of attaching, and
touched by the artlessness with which
the attraction was confessed. "A dear
little thing" he owned in the end;
land upon my word, | said no more
than the truth, when [ told her
wished [ had Just such another little
sister,"
They had a merry evening after
that.
The billiard-table was so atrociously
bad that Capt. Bellenden, who was a
noted player, found it humorous in the
extreme never to have the ghost of an
idea where his ball would go, nor what
would be the effect of his finest strokes.
He rOared with good-humored laugh
ter when his simplest cannons missed,
and when pockets that should have
been certainties ilted him in the most
barefaced manner. His mirth was SO
spontaneous and infectious that no one
could resist it: and without knowing i'll
the least why, granny and granddaugh-
ter laughed almost as much and as
heartily as he; while Cecil, who would
have felt aggrieved and discOmfitted
had any one else made such fun OF the
whole, consoled his dignity with the
reflection that Bellenden had never
been used to any Dat the most uneX-
ceptionable of billiard-table and that
ne must therefore be considered as
highly indulgent in that he condo
scended to handle cue at all upon this
occasion.
But why should we have it all to
ourSelves:" suggested the gay guards
man at la t. Pray, Mrs. Campbell,
.oln us. You have been so good in
coming here, and [ know my little
friend, with glance at Jerry, lis
longing for a game. What shall 1t be-:
Fool: Or let me see | know the thing
She would like. Battle, that's it? Did
sou ever play battle, Jerry? Come and
play with me. then. Beg your grand
mamma to take hand, and we shall
be two to two"
Perhaps he was beginning TO tire OF
lne other play, perhaps it was IN mere
compassion to the eager little face so
ElSttuIl following its progress, that
The suggestion was made: but, at any
rate it was received with rapture.
II can play battle, [ can indeed, al
most shrieked the little girl in her ex
Clement. Il have played it at Uncle
haymond's: we played it the very last
NLne was there: and Ethel, and ALICIA,
AM | all play ed; didn't we Cecil:
Don you remember, Cecil?" Cecll's
Msdemeanor was by this time forgot
Ten oh granny, do say Yes, pro-
tteeded the small speaker, dancing in
'front.' of the smiling and indulgent
granny do get out of your chair.
ana come, there's a dear granny: and
You don't know the game, we can
al teach you," and then. as granny
ooedently rose. off hustled Geraldine
10 the stand, took down the cues, and
examined their tips-the half OF these
were of-selected a very narrow one
.oF herself, and very broad one FOR
granny by way of granny's being the
novice and finally stood by Bellenden's
pride
Al OF this was diverting to people
wing to be diverted and benevolent;
Silo then, behold. what should appear
o ""t mat granny, who knew nothing
"oout the requirements of billiard
CONS and tables, could nevertheless
1"n0Ie her cue. and hit ball on the
"eSIFed side, and not be overcome with
"S'onlshnent when it went the way 1t
Snoulu 90. She was in fact a far SUI
geFlor performer to the pranclng
Jerry, and the latter would have been
'uoF'lhed. as well as amazed, by the
roDWrtss of so unexpected rival, had
S ShV proficiency not placed 1t be.
}Uuo doubt that for the remainder OF
cue evening the old lady must stick to
o oe'll Tor partner, leaving the more
N~NTompNShed Bellenden for herself.
hui. Do what she would Jerry could not
- ing back her balls
soi iheF instructor was good-nature IL
NIL S.., ana he cheered and consoied, and
Gt >sn infinite skill repaired the damage
Any fine their side as fast as she could IN
oftot' but nevertheless they lost
s wriener than they won, and she re-