CHAPTER I. TEA AND TENNIS.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 330, 2 January 1889, Page 4

CHAPTER I. TEA AND TENNIS.

OE the last ten minutes ho had been watching her intently, but without) any eagerness or ex- . pecfcancy, rather with th* i dreamy* look of one recalling something — a something nob forgotten, but simply hidden away, as we hide our best and dearest treasures from the curious gaze of careless eyes. Suddenly a vigorous slap on the back recalled him somewhat roughly to the realities of everyday life. • Now, then, old man, if you don't play tennis you must drink tea — you arebouni to do something useful ; and, as I bvoughto you down, I feel rcpons^fcle for your good behaviour, so come along.' ' W ho is that V was the irrelevant reply. ' Who is which ?' returned the other. lOf course you mean a girl ; but which among the multitude ?' • Of course I mean the tall girl opposite— the one in black.' • And why 'of course ' ? You said *a j girl,' and there are cartloads of 'em about. Anyway, I can't wait now. I'm in for the next set, and I must have a drink before starting. ' 1 Hurry up, Carruthors,' shouted a voice from the tennis-court. 'Coming «' shouted that gentleman in reply. Then turning to a young lady who tvas passing : ' Here, Carrie, you're wanted. You do the introducing.' 1 But, Joe !' •Can't stop. Ta-ta.' And Jos was speedily beyond remonstrance. 'Now, is anybody ever so rude as a brother ?' said Miss Carruthers, looking after the do inquenb Joe with a smile whicli belied the severity of her words. ' But what did he mean about introducing ? 13 thero anyone in particular? I shall be VBry happy. 1 Her companion's glance wandered onco more to the group opposite. • Thank you,' he said slowly ; * there is no one in particular. I was merely asking your brother the name of a lady who was standing over there. She is no there now.' ' Well then, let me at least introduce you to the tea-makers ; if you are half as thirsty as I am, you will thoroughly appreciate their acqi a ntance.' The old-iashioned, stone-flagged hall had been turned into a tea-room, and very cool and inviting it looked this Angust afternoon. In front of the wide, open hearth, which to-day was filled in with tall ferns and hydrangeas, stood a generously-fur-nished tea-table, presided over in turn by the lady members of the tennis club. The present tea-maker, a tall young lady in black, was too closely hemmed in by the thirsty of both sexes to notice the arrival of any new comers, till a voice behind her whispered plaintively : 'Of your charity, a cup of tea ! Let m« introduce Joe's friend : Mr Lynwood — Miss Falconer.' With a half-suppressed, inarticulate cry, M»S3 Falconer made a sudden movement as U to save herself from falling. The next moment there was a general cry of consternation. Mr Lynwood had thrown himself in front of Miss Falconer, iust in time to receive the contents of a i,ea-urn upon his ungloved hands. Hereupon ensued considerable confusion, but in a very f(-w minute 3 Dr. Spencer, armed with his medical authority, had peremptorily cleared the hall, only a select few remaining to carry out his orders, the rest dispersing, themselves over the garden, where che most varied versions of the catastrophe were soon in full swing. 'Poor girl ! Disfigured for life, I hear.' ' Luckily nob a drop touched her ; but his hands are a perfect pulp !' ' Only his boots gob blistered : but she fainted'dead off !' ' Never saw a girl take a thing so coolly in my lif i ; but he looked awfully bad !' ' Just made a joke of the whole thing — did Lynwood.' Meanwhile, the principal actors in the foregoing scene had neither swooned away, nor comported themselves with levity. Of the two, sttange to say, Miss Falconer looked by far the most shaken by what had occurred. Her face was still deadly pale, and her voice trembled almost, beyond control, as she endeavoured to thank Mr Lynwood foT| his timely help, and to express her regret at having been the cause of the accident. She spoke slowly, and in a curiously cold, mea&ured fashion, and not once did she meet or return the kindly glance of Mr Lynwood's calm, grey eyes : her own were either obstinately bentupon the floor, or, when x-aised, wore the fived blank look of eyes determined to keep a secret. Meanwhile, her listener, looking rather helpless with both hands swathed in cotton ■wool, repudiated all idea of thanks, and repeatedly as-ured her that such a trifle vrsm »ot worth speaking of. ' Now said Dr. Spencer, briskl}-, 'if both my patiuU would leave oil making polite speeches to each other, and get away home, they would probably spare themselves and me a good deal of trouble. My dear sir, it's not the slightest use saying it) doesn't signify and doesn't hurt— rubbish ! I bay it does hurt, confoundedly !' ' Of course you are the best judge,' said -Mi- Lynwood, smiling. 'So I fchould imagine,' returned the old" gentleman equably ; 'and now, can I drive you anywhere? My carriage is at the door.' 'My Lynwood is staying with us,' said Mrs Carruthers, a lady attired in a widow's cap and weeds, and who was just a larger and elderly edition of her daughter Carrie, dimples and all complete ; ' and I think,' she added, with a kindly glance at Miss Falconer's white face — 'I think Winifred had better make up her mind ,to stay, too.' ' Ye?, do !' put in Carrie warmly. 'Thank you very much, but I really couldn't.' ' Then let me drop you at Oaklands, I am id riving round that way.' Indeed I could walk quite well, thank you, doctor, and I would rather nob go jusfc yel ; the girls would be disappointed to leave so early.' ' I'll see the girl home,' volunteered Joe 'with great alacrity. Bub Winifred only shook her head. 4 Always the way with you, Miss Wini,feed,' prowled the doctor ; ' the girls this — bhe girls that — and what fire you but a girl yourself, and a poor, frightened thing into "the bargain ?' • I was frightened, of course, but I am {quite well now — quite,' said Miss Falconer prery firmly rising and crossing the hall as spoke. * I only feel a little a little odd —ah !' and clutching feebly at the porson next her, she sank ignominiously into «< chair. j Humph 1' said Dr. Spencer, a certain grim satisfaction in the tone ; * that settles matters. You don't leave this house tonight. Get her upstairs as soon as you can, jand erive her a good dose of brandy — no ,tea, mind that, Miss Carrie : none of your bierve-destrovinjr pernicious drinks for my jaatients, No need for anxiety— not, the

slightest, my dear madam,' turning io Mrs Carruthero ; ' a good night's rest is all we want to pufc things quite straight, I'll look in early to-morrow, though ! Good-bye, good-bye,' and the old gentleman hurried off. • Lucky thing I happened to drop in,' he mused ; ' a very nasty job a scald always is, and awfully well that fellow behaved, Sboo. Bub Miss Falconer ! now she isn't the teort of girl ono would expect to see so completely bowled over by a bib of a fright. 'But are girls ever the sort one expects 'em to be ?' and Dr. Spencer anevrered his own question by an emphatic shake of his bald head.