The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-11-02
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3 A TERRIBLE Temptation <
- BY
Z CHARLES READE
In SN~-HNNCNN
CHARLES READE
(Continued.)

V (Contnued)
: Compton began to find 1t too uphill. Al
last. when they reached Highmore gate,
he lost his patience. and said. II sec how
II is, have lost my sweet playmate for
ever. Good-by Ruperta; | won't trouble
tyou any more" And he held out his hand
TO the young lady for a final farewell.
Z Ruperta whipped both her hands be-
hind her back like a schoolgirl, and then
recovering her dignity. cast one SWIFT
glance of gentle reproach. then suddenly
assuming vast stateliness, marched into
Highmore like the mother OF family.
These three changes or manner she et-
fected I'm less than two SECONDS.
Poor Compton went away sorely puz-
kled by this female Kaleidoscope. but not
a little alarmed and concerted at having
lnortally offended so much feminine dig
nifty.
After that he did not venture to accost
her for some time. but he cast a few
sheep's-eyes at her In church.
F, Now Ruperta had told her mot her all;
and her mother had not forbidden her 10
speak TO Compton, but had insisted on re-
serve and discretion
Shs now told her mother she thought he
would not speak to her any more, she had
snubbed him so.
@Dear mel" said Mrs Bassett. why
did you do that? Can you not be polite
and nothing more?'
sF"No mamma"
why not? He is very amiable. Every
body says so"
HE is. But keep remembering what a
forward girl / was, and j am afraid he
has not yet forgotten II either. and that
makes me hate the poor little fellow; no.
mot hate him; but keep him off. dare
say he thinks me cross. ill-tempered
thing: and j am very unkind 10 him, but
j can't help it."
q Never mind" said Mrs. Bassett; that
IS much better than 10 be too forward.
Papa would never forgive that"
BY and by there was a cricket-match
in the farmers meadow, Highcombe and
Huntercombe eleven against the town or
tStaveleigh. All clubs liked 70 play at
'Huntercombe, because Sir Charles found
the tents and the dinner, and the young
farmers drank his champagne to their
hearts content.
Ruperta took hor maid and went TO see
the match they found IL going against
Huntercombe. The score as follows:
staveleigh. First innings hundred and
forty-eight runs.
( Hnntercombe lightweight
4 Staveleigh. Second innings, sixty runs.
and only one wicket down; and Johnson
and Wright, two OF their best men, we'll
in. and masters OF the bowling.
This Deing communicated 10 Hupertd,
she became excited and her soul In the
game.
The batters went on knocking the balls
about. and scored thirteen more before
the young ladye eyes.
"Oh. dear!'' said she. what Is that boy
about? why doesn't he bowl? They pre-
tend he is a capital bowler
\ At this time Compton was standing
1ong-feld on. only further from the
wicket than usual
johnson. at the wicket bowied TO, being
hard but not very scientific hitter, lifted
"A half volley ball right over the bowler's
head, a hit for four, but a sky-scraper
Compton started the moment he hit, and,
running with prodigious velocity. caught
the ball descending within a few yards
OF Ruperta: but, 10 get at H. he was
obliged 10 throw himself forward into th'
air; he rolled upon the grass, but held
the hall in sight all the while,
Mr. Johnson was out. and loud acclama-
.tions rent the sky.
= Compton rose. and saw Ruperta clap
4 ping her hands close by.
She left off. and blushed directly he
ssaw her. He blushed too, and touched his
cap to her. with an air half manly, half
tsheepish. but did not speak to her.
This was the last ball of the over. and
as the ball was now TO be delivered from
The other wicket, Compton took the place
of long-leg.
= The third ball was oyerpitched to leg,
and wright who like most country play
eers. nit freely to leg. turned half. and
caught this ball exactly right, and sent
II kZing for six.
But the very force OF the stroke was ia
tai to him: the ball went at first bound
right into Comptons hands. who instant
'1y flung IL back, like a catapult, at
rwright's wicket.
. Wright, having hit for six, and being
unable 10 see what had become OF the
ball started TO run, as matter OF
sconrse
. But the other batsman, seeing the ball
go right into the long legs hands like a
bullet cried "Back!'
= Wright turned. and would have got back
TO HIS wicket. IL the ball had required
handling by the wicket-keeper. but by a
mixture OF skill with luck, IL came right
Pt the wicket. Seeing which, the wicket
Keeper very jidcio,isly let IL alone and II
rarried of the balls just half a second
before Mr.. Wright grounded his bat.
"How's that umpire?" cried the wicket
keeper.
out" said the Stavelegh umpire. who