Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-07-28


they are confoundlng you with Tom Lancey, of
the Bayswater Tennis Club; a tremendous don
at tennis; champion, and all that. That's awfully
good. These girls are just mad about tennis;
and Miss Lillian, the young one thinks, verify
believe, that a mans not worth looking at I'M
less he can play tennis "But" said l. 81 can't
play tennis; I've only seen it once. and / never
had a bat it my hand. You must put them
right before you introduce me-" am now sure
that had not happened to stumble over stone
should have seen sparkle of devilry in Fitz-
james eyes as he replied, ooh, that doesn't
much matter. Wouldn't it be rather fun to
pretend you are Tom Lancey, just little bit?
Miss TOssy CHATS Lans pet name) will be
awfully nice to you at first; and of course wen
not be aole to carry the joke very far. Besides.
they made the mistake first" / positively
shuddered at the idea Of being mixed up in a
lest les. to be PLAYED off upon young ladies; but
Fitzjames wouldn't listen to me- and bois-
terously laughed all my objections to scorn.
He said it would make the introduction ever
so much easier and. assuring me that he
would see me through it, reduced me to
miserable aequescence. plaintively reminded
him that l didn't know single technical term
in the game. But he assured me that didn't
matter.
"All you've got to do is not to make any
Jokes ABOUT deuce, or love-; you mustn't say
| anything amusing about being in COURT you
must avoid all literary illusions to love that
hath US in the net or they also serve who only
stand and watt and forget. If possible the
Prince of Wales motto; and on no account men,
ton the 'cOign of vantage Further. you must
say rdcque and not bat. If you trespass any of
these rules. your reputation as an old player ia
gone"
This was very awful. didn't see that it
was at all probable that should ever be tempted
to say any of the things Fitzjames mentioned;
but foresaw very unhappy predicament for
myself.
had not much time for thought, however
We had reached the tennis-lawn, and Fitzjames
q infr drron< 70
nieces. Fortunately for me they had their set
made up by another young fellow. and had
nothing to do with the game beyond expressing
my opinion that 1t was simply charming and
splendidly healthy. pleaded ''letters' as an
excuse to leave the ground almost at once, but
promise was eXtOrted from me to return before
luncheon. hurried to the house. dashed off
short note to somebody in order to discharge my
conscience. and anxOusly plunged into the
depths of Laws Of Lawn Tennis" which had
great quantity of what I read. but 1 was de-
termined to master some of it, and did. There
were several people in the room, and as l
entered caught a suppressed whisper Of 1.-THE
great tennis-player," that drove the blood to my
cheeks. Every one seemed to have fallen vic
tim to the same mistake, for an old gentleman,
seeing me with the Laws" said something
about ''cOngenial literature" was becoming
seriously concerned, and wished passiOnately
that hadn't consented to cOuntenance the lest.
to disclaim the honor of being IT. Lancey, the
great tenn!s-player;" but did not know how to
begin; while the idea of plunging first thing
into explanations with unknown ladies posi-
lively blanched my cheeks.
was then innocent enough to believe that
must keep my promises; SO after waiting within
doors so long as decently could, returned to
the lawn. new set was going on and the
Younger Miss DELAYED was resting on one of the
chairs under the trees. She signified. in that
wonderful tacit way that ladies have that I was
to go to speak with her;and despite my shyness,
l felt not altogether unwilling. She began the
conversation by expressing her sorrow that
was so late, as another set had been begun and
might not be finished before luncheon and she
was just on the point of launching into discus
sion upon tennis, when her aunt called her to 90
with her into the house. 81 shall be back in
plenty of time for our set. Mr.. Lancey,"she ex-
claimed as she went. This in reply, l presume,
to look of disappointment, which, however
had no reference to the future set
L remained and looked at the game It was
undoubtedly buxom exercise. Talk of Nall
sicaa and her madens playing ball. There was
no such debonnair grace there as now beheld
before ME. OF all the exercises of the human
form divine, lawn-tennis is the most beautiful.
The trim costumes, the coquettish hats, and
the saucy shoes, in which it is necessary for
ladies to play, tend splendidly to set off the
1.-THE grace of every attitude into which the
young forms bend. And when the cheeks are
decately flushed with the exercise, the eyes
bright with eagerness, and perhaps stray curl
danced from its straight confinement. what
more enchanting picture could be desired?
was delighted; ! forgot my unhappy plight |
lOnged for Greek vases. on which to depict the
free grace and the flowing curves of the 1.-THE
forms; Greek vases alone were suitable for such
q relief
The set was keenly contested and long, and
Miss Lillian Delavel had returned some time be-
fore it was finished. l found to my intense sur
prise. that got on fairly we'll in conversation
with her. didn't miss the powder and patches
OF last century so much as l expected. and in
deed had mainly to signify my assent to all her
rhapsodes about lawn-tennis She seemed to
be very enthusiastic on that point.
IL am very glad you can play, Mr.. Lancey;
people who can't are so stupid. don't you think?
I'm sure l should never like any one who
couldn't play, SO you see, Mr.. Lancey, you are
This was too much. II assure you, Miss De-
lavel. really cannot"
''NOw, Mr.. Lancey. please don't. Mr.. Fitz-
james told US you would probably pretend not
to know much about it. But know all about
1t; I've seen your name in the papers scores of
times
But really, protest. Miss Delavel;
Here was interrupted by the arrival of the
players. who apOlOgized for having played 50
long, and advised US to lose no time in begin
ming.
FitZjames said he would give me his racquet;
he had an engagement. believe it was merely
to smoke cigarette and to avoid playing with
the trio. But substitute was speedily found
in young Miss MacBrier. l was in anything but
a comfortable frame of mind; felt convinced
should do something absurd. and that my false
reputation would take away all excuse for it,
was glad. in a dim sort OF way. that Miss Lillian
was to be my partner against Miss Delavel and
Miss MacBrier.
eve play in this court, Mr.. Lancey," said Miss
Lillian. ..Of. do you always hold your racquet
like that?"
well, no." 1 answered guilty, and some
what taken abach. 81 usually hold it like
this" l should have said that never held
racquet in any way before. but l was startled
Because you know" she continued, some
crack players do play with the curve down.
ward"
''But, good heavens. you don't really sup
pose"
IL dare say we'll teach you. Mr. Lancey"-
this with a rOguish smile and shake of the head
''Minnie is going to serve; shall take tirst!''
Certainly, just as you please; but where am
why there, of course, Mr.. Lancey; don't be
Ridiculous"
had no intention Of being more ridiculous
than could help, but felt distinctly uncom-
Portable. Fitzjames must e been indulgng
| in considerable latitud statement about