The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1898-06-29

heard again the triumphant yells OF
his side at Oxford, when, with the
victory apparently a certainty for
the others, he had bowled three men
j for three balls and left his side vic
. tors by two runs. He stepped care
fully up to the walking stick which
marked the second wicket, flourish
ed his arm once or twice and bowl
ed. Itwas a nasty, slow ball, break
ing in, and Helen's off stump went
down with crash.
"What splendid balll' exclaim-
ed the two men, and Helen clamored
for more, for practice. +" The dean
laughed triumphantly. Then Helen
suddenly exclaimed: "Let's have a
match, Uncle Jos Church versus
State. I'm sure we could beat those
two." And before the dean knew
where he was they had tossed for
going in, and he found himself bowl
ing vigorously at Captain Elton,
who, armed with rake handle, was
at the wickets.
"1t is very hot, he gasped, and,
looking round guiltily, he quickly
flung his coat on the grass and flew
to catch ball which Captain Elton
had returned to him. Then he stood
appalled,, for the bishops voice
came to his ears, and, turning, he
saw the bishop and his wife stand
ing close behind him. "Cricket!"
The bishops pale, intellectual face
was full of laughter as he saw the
dean, coatless and breathless, flying
for the ball. II thought this was
strictly forbidden
"Oh, my lord, come and umpire
We want one badly" called out
Helen, quite unabashed, and the
dean, who had stood still, horror
stricken, picked up the ball again
when he saw the lenient expression
on the episcopal face, and saw the
bishop move in to umpire, while
Mrs. Howard sat down on bench
and absolutely shook with merri-
ment. Cricket in the deans gar
denl 1t was too amusing.
By dint of what Helen called pok-
ing, the two soldiers had made IL
runs, and then Helen took her place
at the wickets. She was really a
fair lady crioketer, and, as felders
were scarce, she ran up the score to
II in a few minutes, retiring with a
cry of disgust as Captain Elton
caught her out cleverly with his left
hand.
"Now, Mr.. Dean,.'' the bishops
wife called out impatiently, as the
dean stood hesitating. "Go in;
there's no one else to see. ;"
And the dean went in. A rake
handle is not the best Of bats, but
the dean made a mighty smite,
caught the ball on the half volley,
and away it went over all their
heads into a clump of bushes. Once,
twice, thrice did the dean fly to the
stick andi back-his breath was
gone, his face was scarlet-four
times.
"I can't go again, he gasped pit
eously.
"You must!" Helen had set her
heart on winning. Zone more and
we win; run, Uncle Jos, runp' But
the delay was almost fatal, for, as
the dean turned to run back, Cap
tain Elton flung in the ball. =
''Eun onl" cried the bishops wife.
"Oh do hurry" ~
"Outr' cried Mr.. Ely, banging
down a walking stick.
"Oh, no; inl" said Helen.
The dean had no breath to argue
with.
SIN or out, my lordi" The rivals
appealed both together to the bishop,
who was holding his sides as he
laughed; but, then what sight met
their eyes,. as they turned The
whole of the DEANS large party
stood looking on, on the edge of the
ground, led by Mrs. Holroyd, and
what had they seen as they came
ups The dean, their dean, flying,
coatless and hatless, up and down,
playing cricket i'll the sacred pre-
cincts of the deanery, and the bishop
cheering him and laughing. How
could the select ever hold up their
heads again, and before all the
country, too-the country which
they had so often lectured on its ad-
vanced ways9 Mrs. Holroyd looked
round in stony despair, words that
were too bitter to utter trembled on
her lips.
The dean hurriedly picked up his
coat and hid as much Of his breath
less person inside it as was possible.
The bishop had decided he was fairly
in, SO his triumph enabled him to
face without hinching the glare in
the eyes Of his circle and his wife's
piteous face.
"My parasol, Mr.. Deanf" said
Lady Damer smiling; "you appear
to have forgotten it. -