The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1895-07-11

field and the blue sea beyond Dolly took,
or appeared to take, an absorbing interest in
cricket; her mother gave cricket teas; her
father insisted on offering refreshment to the
heated players; claret cup and brandy and
soda stood permanently on the table in the
cool dining room of Panton Villa
The first society of Southsands accepted
Dolly and her parents, for, select as it was,
it could not ignore a family which all its
young men insisted. on h0noring. SO she
was received among them. and several youths
offered her their lieartsand their less valuable
incomes; but of ali, She most favored John
Wardle the Recter's son, and Dick Harding,
whose father was the Greenyale lawyer. She
really could not make up her mind which to
accept. She did not know which, if either
she loved /; so she gave the two lovers to un-
derstand that the captain of the victorious
eleven would stand the better chance.
Wardle abandoned himself to anger, and 50
did his diminished eleven to less extent.
''Get Harding TO play 10 men," suggested
one
But Wardle refused "He wouldn't; be-
sides, who would he get to stand out? He
wouldn't himself"
No, thanks" said Harding, who had
overheard. =" Pm going to do all / know.
Get some outsider there are lot of John
nies hanging about" and he strolled off to
speak TO Miss Panton, but fingered to say,
carelessiy, Look sharp, Wardle whatever
you mean to do; we shall 20 in in 10 min
uteS -
lyon must get someone there's nothing
else TO be done" said Jack Russell, gloomily.
81 suppose Harding will win now, after ALL -
"l'll sell my soul to stop him doing that, !"
cried Wardle, as he watched Dolly laughing
and talking to his rival, while the sunlight
blazed on her white dress.
Nov. gentlemen it's time to Begin in
terrupted an umpire, bursting in. Got an
other man. Wardle?n
Before Wardie could answer shadow
darkened the door, and he saw a stranger on
the threshold.
Pardon me- :" he said politely; I under
stand you have lost player. May be his
substitutc?"
The Southsanders stared Who was this
lean, dark man who offered his services with
such assurance?
Are you player, sir?" asked the UNI
pire.
Has Harding sent you?" broke in War
die.
No but hoped might be useful, " an
NN''' 49,
added, with smile.
You shall play ~ cried Wardle. "And
many thanks for your help, Mr.-?" he
paused TO hear his recruits name, and held
out his hand.
Smith," the other answered, taking the
offered hand aud pressing it.
Wardle started; how very feverish Mr..
Smith must be, and what curiously-com-
mon name for so distinguished looking man.
Just then Harding entered the pavilion,
radiant and sure of victory, for Dolly had
seemed pleased at the approaching downfall
of the SOuthsanders.
well, old man," he said cheerily to War
die, are you ready for us? Can't put off
the evil day any longer. We 90 in first, so
send out all the men you've got.'
- We have our full number y Wardle said
cOldly. This gentleman will play for us;
Mr.. Smith-Mn Harding, the Greenvale
captain. 31ad
Harding's face fell as he looked at the
stranger-there was look of conscious power
about him; but there was no time to talk
Wardle was in the field, and his men were
taking their places.
"What rum chap. Where did Wardle
pick him up?" he asked.
"He offered himself; looks like business,
too, " was the answer
The stranger was at long point; in his
glistening white clothes and red cap and belt,
his tail, thin figure was easily marked
The GreeRvale iAen were 60 ahead at the
end of the previous days play, and going in
on good wicket the chances seemed all i'm