CHAPTER V.~(Continued). THE CRICKET MATCH.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2209, 4 September 1886, Page 1 (Supplement)

CHAPTER V.~ (Continued). THE CRICKET MATCH.

The Baumborough cricket ground was a pretty sight this afternoon, thronged as it was with the townspeople of the neighbourhood. It was very different from the great annual picnics at Lords on the occasion of the University or Public School matches. Most, of the ladies here knew something of the game, had relatives or friends engaged in it, for Baumborongh was situated in the hop counties, in which cricket had its birth, and is at this present more understood of the people than it is in the north. Was it not a Maid of Kent who invented roundhand bowling in accordance with the dictates of nature, unfavourable in women, to the underhand method, and laudably desirous of curbing the conceit of her brothers. There were four marquees at one end of the ground. Two of these were dedicated to the club and their guests, and the other two were open to the public, but all four seemed flowing with milk aud honpy. Two bands alternately rattled off gay, lively music, the one that ot the Cimunol-shire Yeomanry from Canterton, the other that of •* The Baumborough Own." 1 I'm alluding, of course, to the local volunteers,' as the old burlesque song say a. It was altogether a very pretty sight when Mrs Fossdyke and Bessie, accompanied by Mr Totterdell, made their appearance on the ground. It was an annual match, and whether Baumborough or Bunbury were the better men was a subject of considerable interest to the dwellers therein. This year the first trial of strength had taken place at Bunbury, and, after a fircely contested game, had terminated in favour of the home team. That Baumborough should be keen to tripe off this defeat was but natural, and Baumborough could urge with justice that she had not been enabled to exhibit her re.il strength in the first contest. Mr Soames had been prevented playing, for instance, in consequence oi a strained wrist, and bith as a bat aud wicketkeeper he was an irreplaceable loss to his side. Bunbury had }ust been disposed of as Mrs Fossdyke and her companions arrived upon the ground, after a stubborn and somewhat unexpectedly protracted innings, leaving their adveisaries 153 to win. It was not a disheartening score altogether, but it was one that took a good deal of putting together among county elevens. Baumborough had begun so well,, had got rid of two or three of their adversaries' best men at such a j comparatively cheap rate, that they had felt rather astounded at the stand made by the tail of the Bunbury team. It is go at times, a good bat or two get set, and rather beat the bowling, and the last wickets knock up runs in an almost unaccountable fashion. But now it is Baumborough's turn and Phil Soames sends to the wickets Tom Dumps, the most imperturbable sticker, and a Mr Herring, a careful bat, one who can hit a bit when he gets fairly in. As for the redoubtable Dumps he has been known to pass a° afternoon at the wicket without adding twenty runs to the score. He is the sort of bat bowlers despise and hate, he never takes liberties, never goes out of his ground, and never hits, he cnards his stumps, and now and again pokes one successfully away for a Bingle, but he is nevertheless a very useful man at the start, always difficult to get rid of, and calculated to weary the attack of the enemy. Dogged, passive resistance is wont to aggravate, and inert defence to be the most exasperating of opposition, and the adversaries of Baumborough were always no little pleased to get rid of Tom Dumps. «We learn from Horace, Homer sometimes nods,' and upon thia occasion the renowned Dumps was also caught napnine for before he had blocked, played or poked some half score balls one ran up his bat and dropped an easy catch into the hands of point. There was no slight dismay in the Baumborough camp at this unexpected casualty, but when Mr Herri,^ speedily followed suit and also succumbed ;to the enemy's bowling, Phil Soames saw that demoralisation was fast setting in amongst his fellows; they were beginning to apprehend there must be something more than met the eye in the B'inbury bowling, and in cricket as in war the establishment of a funk is fatal Soames was equal to the occasion; hP saw like a great commander, that the Sme had come when it behoved him to place himself in front of the battle, and with a few courteous words of apology SablwhedMn Fosadyke and Bessie in the ladies' tent, and seizing his hat went forth to do or die for Baumborough. Phil Soamea' arrived at the wicket threw quite a now aspect on the game ; he played a few balls easily but quietly, fust to get hia eye in, aud then he began ♦Uttf freely. His partner acquired oonfilne from the way his captain -dipped into "into the bowling:, and runs came C and when Phil h*d to mourn hi, companion's departure the aspect of the o-ftme was entirely changed. The feCraph board showed 63 runs for three Jad recovered confidence »ud etoo(J

up to their adversaries' attack with plenty of rolinnrce on themnelvea. Mr Totterdell meanwhile was making himself a most insufferable nuisance in the tent. It is not easy to rxpliiin cricket to anyone who does not understand it, and that was just Mr TotterdelPs position. He wanted to know why a man was out. Why one man went^ in before another ? He wanted to know' all about the financial state of the olnb, for ever since his memorable hit about raising the money for the theatre, Mr Totterdoll imagined ho had much genius for finance, and panted to reform all existing institution in Baumborough on this head ; had, ludced, been particularly anxious in re spect to the calling in of that mortgage he had suggested to the municipal council, but the clerks in John Fossdyke'a office declined to give him any information in the absence of their principal, while two or three cronies to whom he mentioned it opined that the town clerk was be«t left to do the town's business. Gradually people steal away from Mr Totterdell's vicinity, those who in their pood nature had attempted to appease his thirst for knowledge felt aghast at the incubus they hed saddled themselves with, and execrating their weakness passed over to the other fcido the m trquee, or out into the sunshine. Mrs Fossdyke alone remains near her godfather. The game is getting now highly exc;it« ing ; after a well-played and most useful innings to his aide, a good many of whom he has seen succumb during his stay at the wickets, Phil Soames fell a victim to a smart bit, of fielding of tho Bunbury men while rashly endeavouring to steil si somewhat ri«ky run. Quite an ovation meets him as he walks back to the marquee, which the seventy-font* to his name on the telegraph board thoroughly justifies. Baumborough have n6w fifteen runs to get and three wickets still to bo disposed of. I Pray accept our congratulations, Mr Soames,' exclaimed Bessie Hyde, with a radiant smile, as she extended her hand. 1 •You came nobly to tho rescue at a time when thing 1 * were looking very sad for us. We shall beat them now, don't you think 80 ?' •We can only hope so. It will probably be a very close thing*. We have only one man we can rely on much for the runs lett ; but have you had some tea ?' ' Oh, dear yep, I have been well taken care of, thank yon.' ' Then come for a stroll with me. -Now the sun is low, it is pleasanter outside than in. the tent. 1 They accordingly stepped forth amongst the throng that were promenading about this end of the cricket field, and Soauie* had to stop mote than once to receive congratulations from this enthusiastio fellow -townsmen on his successful innings. • Let us get a little out of the crowd, Miss Hyde. lam n > doubt as conceited as most penp'e, but I am a*hnmed to be complimented any m<»re before you I expect you to laugh, .it me. As if no fellow ever put up seventy runs before.' ' Ah,' laughed Bessie, ' I am afraid the vanity peeps out in that very speech. It is not so much that you got seventy-four runs, but that you got them for Baumborough when she needed them sorely.' I 1 stand properly rebuked,' he replied, with an amused smile. * What a terrible analyser of human motives you arc I feel almost afraid of you. Don't you find it rather trying seeing so innc.h of Mr Totterdell ; I declare J never call at Dyke without finding him, and if he make* himself half sis unpleasant there as he does in othur places you must have a hard of it. I cin't think how Fovsdyke stands it- I don't w under he Is a good deal away. 1 ' I am afraid Mr Totterdell is doing unwittingly a jrreat deal of mischief at Dyko,' replied the girl, gravely. ' How so ?' • Mr Fos^dyke dislikes him, to begin with : in the next place he is always inquiring into Mr Fossdyke's affairs, and Mr Fossdyke naturaily resents that. Most men would.' 4 Certainly, but I don't pee he is doing much mischief in that. He is committing ii n impertinence,' said Phil, 4< for which John Fos-Ndyko i* just the maa to snub him handsomely.' ' No, but he has infected Mrs Fossdyke with his own ungovernable curiosity, and shp now has taken to questioning her hu-b.ind about his business affairs. I assured you Mr Totterdell has made Dyke so uncomfortable that I am very much afraid I must leave it.' ' You leave Dyke— nonsense Miaa Hyde — why how nan tin's ntfect you? ' 'That I cannot tell you, but it does.' They walked on for some time in silence. Phil Soames was under no delusion with regard to his feelings for Be*sie. He knew that he loved her frankly and honestly, and had quite made up his mind to marry her if he could. If he had not as yet asked her to be his wife it was from no uncertainty of purpose on his part, but simply because he was afraid what her answer might be. She liked him well enough no doubt, danced a good deal with him, and was always well content to have him assigned as her cavalier at dinuer party or picnic, but he'd a shrewd suspicion Miss Hyde would look for rather more in a partner for life than a partner in a ball room or at lawn tennis. It must be borne in mind that Baumborough was not aware of Miss Hyde's exact position at Dyke. They looked upon her an a niece or some relation of Mr Fossdyke, now recognised as his adopted daughter, and accepted her as such. Baumborough no doubt, in the firat instance, had regarded Bessie as * 4 a poor relative " nnd rather a dependant, but the way she had always been treated by the Fossdykes had speedily made them adopt the latter view. Neither the town clerk nor lm wife had ever announced Bessie's exact status in their house, but i had left Baumborough to draw it* own deductions, and Baumborough was certainly justified by appearances in the conclusion it had come to ; but of course the result was that Miss Hyde was regarded as a young lady who would probably bring her husband a good bit of money, not porhaps at the time, but in years to I come. A pretty girl with these prospects is not wont to want wooers, and therefore j Bessie stood in a very different position in Phil Soames's eyes to what she held in reality. He doubted whether he had made sufficient progress in the girl's good graces to risk asking her to be his wife, and thought a premature avowal of his love might be fatal to his hopes. His remark when he did open his lips was by no means a sentimental character. * The confounded old idiot,' he muttered half aloud. •You mean Mr Totterdell, I presume,' said Bessie. 4He certainly is not discreet, and things went on more pleasantly at Dyke before his arrival in Baumborough, undoubtedly.' 'Why, on earth, does Hot John Fossdyke kick him out of the houso V asked Phil. • He could hardly shut tho door in tho fa^e of his wife's godfather, and you might as well hint to a rhinoceros that he was not wanted as to Mr Totterdell.' ' I'd make him understand it, though, if I were Fossdyke ; bnb never mind him. Why must you go ?' < I have told you that Dyke has become bo uncomfortable; I cannot tell you more.' 'When do you mean going?' asked Phil, persistently. •Oh, I can't say exactly, besides it it really can't concern you, Mr Soames,' replied Miss Hyde, somewhat coquettishly.

' You know very well it couoerns me rery deeply ; you know, Beanie/ ' Stop. 1 interrupted the girl, • I declaro we have forgotten all about the cricket. What does that cheer moan ? Id that victory forjiauuiborough ?" Phil glanced for a moment at the teleirraph board. •Yes,' ho replied, •we have won by two wickets ; 'but never mind that just now. I have snmethirfg to say to you, something that I have wauted to aay to you for some time.' 1 No, not now, please. I really must go and look after Mrs Fossdyke,' exolnitncd Bessie, hurriedly, and she turned abruptly to walk in the direction of the tent, but almost immediately felt her wrist clasped gently, but firmly. • I have gone too far, or not far enouph,' said Phil, in low tone*. * You must hear me out now, Bessie.' They have gained in their stroll the opposite aide of the cricket ground to tho marquees, and that never much patronised by the lookers-on was now entirely deserted. •Stay one moment,' said the girl, quietly, releasing her wrist and fronting him. ' Listen to me before you speak. You think I am a relative of Mr Foesdyke and his adopted daughter, probably heiress to his property. It in not ao Y He bowed his head in absent. 1 I'm nothing of the kind. I am no relation to him whatever. I am Mr* Foi^dyke's paid companion at a salary of eighty pounds a year, though ehe ha* never allowed mo to realise the position. Now, Mr Soames, perhips you will take mo across the ground to my mistress,' and the girl drew herself up defiantly • Yes, when I have said what I have got to say. What you have told me Rstonii»he» me somewhat, but surely Bes*ie you don't think so meanly of me as to think it could make the slightest difference. You know I love you. Bensie, will you be my wife ?' and as he finished he once more possessed himself of her hand. She dropped her eyes and for a few minutes he could seb the colour come and go in her cheeks, and once she essayed Tainlv to speak. He could uot understand her emotion, and when she at length found her voice it came hard «»ud mechanically, aud she spoke like one repeating a lesson. • I thank you deeply for the honour you have done me, but I cannot marry you, Mr Soame-.' • Why not ?' he asked curtly, and in his excitement he crushed the hand he hold almost savagely in his own. She uttered a slight cry and he released her. 1 Is it that you cannot love me !' ' No,' she replied, as her voice shook and the tears gathered in her eyes, ' it is not that. 1 could love you, God help me, do love you, Philip, but I cannot be your wife.' •But why not? You own you lovo me. In a worldly point of view lam well able to take care of you, and honestly hope to win the consent of tho Fossdykea as well us your friends to our marriage. I lov© you for your own sweet self. What reason can there bo that you should send mo away miserable ?' • I cannot tell you. I only know that 1 can never marry anyone until ho knows all about me, and I have not the courage to tell my story to you.' ♦Bessie, my dear, this is sheer nonsense. That you can have dove anything in your young life that is bitter *hamo to you I'll not believe. You are shrinking from a phantom horror of your own imagining.' • No, indeed lam not. Please, please, Philip, take me across to Mrs Fos^dyke. See, people are beginning to leave the ground.' '• Upon one condition, that you promise to tell me why you cannot marry me, within tha next three days.' ' No, I cannot promise that, indpod I cannot..' • Well, will you promise me thN, n->t t<> give my answer decidedly till the «»x^irationof that time? 1 Bessie hesitated for n moment or ho. and then replied, " Yes, if you wish ir. but il is not fair to you. I fed 1«h ill only have to repeat that I can never bf your wife. Philip.' She said tho last words slowly and almost mournfully, and seemed to linger in almost caressing monnor over the utterance of her lover's name. « Bessie, if you love me truly, I'll not believe that you will give me the same answer three days hence.' She only shook her head sadly as they quickened their steps towards the now well-nigh deserted marquees. • Why, my dear Bessie, I thought you were lost,' exclaimed Mrs Fossdyke, 'I have sent messengers in all directions in search of you. We can take credit for one thing, Mr Soames, we really are pretty well the last to withdraw from the field.' • Very kind of you to come and so crown our hard-won victory, Mrs Fossdyke,' said Phil, hastily, in order to cover his fair companion's confusion, but the young lady knew better than to compromise herself by making any excuses. 1 Now, what on earth could that young brewer have had to say to Miss Hydo all this time," muttered Mr Totterdell, ' I never found him talkative mysolf.'