Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1890-10-09

hedge and fell at their feet. Their sur
prise was the greater in that they had
Just seen Mrs. Bassett 60 up the road
and there was no one else in sight, Sc
they went on with their game.
1t was not long before another ball wa
sent towards the hedge, but, fortunately
did not go over. However, when Elsf
went to get it she could find nothing oi
it. She was peering into every corner
for it when a voice at her side said
"There it is sticking up in the hedge.
Elsa jumped, the voice was so near her,
and turning quickly around found her
self staring into pair of bright brown
ewes. The owner seemed to be a CIR
about her own age, who had evidently
been watching the game through small
opening in the bushes.
"Oh, thank you," said Elsa, recover
| ing herself and reaching up for the ball.
"Do you like to play tennisl"
~ like to watch it, but have never
Played" was the answer.
Its great fun" reioined Elsa, as she
went back to her game.
| After this their balls were always
thrown back and Elsa always had nod
and smile for the face peeping through
the gap; and one afternoon shortly after
tennis was suspended for a time, while
an earnest discussion went on.
"Why. Elsa, we don't even know her
name !" exclaimed Nell.
eyes, we do; it's Rhoda Lewis. She
told me the other day."
at seems queer though, to ask wash.
erwoman's niece or granddaughter, or
whatever she is, in to play tennis, " said
Madge, Struggling her shoulders. "She
may be awfully disagreeable when we
come to know her."
"She isn't any real relation to Mrs.
Bassett. Her mother died when she was
little baby and Mrs. Bassett took care
of her, and now she is staying there until
September, because her father is going
to be married again, and then she is GO
ing home, and she does seem real nice.
Mamma says she must be lonesome. She
thinks it would be nice to ask her over.
Helen says she may use her racket when
she isn't playing. | don't want to invite
her though unless you are both willing"
"Well, don't mind if she is only 60
ing to be here until September. You
may as we'll ask her. Maybe she won't
want TO COME.
Madge assentcd, and not many min
utes after Miss Rhoda walked demurely
in at the gate. Her eyes were bright
with pleasure, and the girl came to the
conclusion that if she only did not have
such a homely, old-fashioned dress on
she would really be quite pretty. But, as
Nell said to Madge while the other two
girls were hunting for a ball, GLOW can
you have nice things when your mother
is dead and you are poor beside"
Rhoda proved to be an enthusiastic
learner, and often made quite brilliant
plays, but she was too apt to get excited
and rush madly at the coming ball,
which, of course, is the surest way to
laugh at her mistakes and soon became
a great favorite.
All four girls were thrown into state
of great excitement a few days later by
a proposition which Uncle John made.
He proposed-NIrs. Trent having first
consented to the plan-that the first week
in September Elsa should have tennis
party, to which she should invite all
her friends. If the weather proved
pleasant supper could be served on the
lawn, and fine time might be expected.
Of course this plan was received with
great delight, but their enthusiasm
reached its height when Elsa's uncle
concluded by saying that on that day
there should be tennis match. Each
one of the four was to play "set'
alone against Helen, and the one wht
scored highest would receive the prize
"Of course, l will do this onl OF
condition that those who lose will b.
good naturcd, realizing that only on
can get the prize; but you Can all hav
the fun if you look at it in the righ
way"
They all promised to look at it in an.
way he wished if he would only give tn
prize, and the rest of that month wa
devoted to steady practice. Rhoda en-
tered with great zest into the prepara
tions, though not being as good playe
as the rest, she had no hope of the prize
She secretly hoped that Elsa might get
it, but she did not express this wish
except to Mrs Bassett.
! AT last the eventful day dawned cleal
and beautiful. The first Tuesday in
September had been chosen, as on We'd
nesday Rhoda was to go home, and as
she had so few pleasures, they wished to
began to arrive and soon gay groups were
to be seen scattered about the grounds.
Some were singing, others playing cro-
quet or wandering about looking at the
beds of gray flowers, while a few tried
their hand at the new game, occasioning
much merriment both among themselves
and the spectators by their awkward at
tempts at batting the ball over the
net.
About 3 o'clock the parents and older
friends who wished to see the tennis
match arrived, and at $50 the trial of
skill began. Seats were provided for the
older part of the audience, while the
younger ones sat upon the soft grass ol
strolled about.
| Uncle John wrote the names of The
! girls upon four strips of paper and then
shaking them about in his hat, drew
them out one by one, thus determining
the order in which they should play.
Madge's name was the first to b
drawn, and with gay laugh she picket
up her racket and balls and took he
place on the side of the net opposit
Helen. In spite of herself she was littl
nervous at first and lost her first serve
but after this she made some excellen
plays and finally won the set, 6-3.
Elsa's turn came next, but to Rhoda'
disappointment she did not play as wei
as usual, and at the end of the first fiv
games the count was Al in Helen
favor. But then the tide turned, an,
she outdid herself and won the set
| Cd
Nell's name was now called and tn