Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-09-05

his friend. As they sped through the bright
scenes of country life more and more into the
wild woodlands Gordon's spirits roso and he
entertained Tom with anecdotes of the kind of
life from which he was escaping, az well as ex-
pressing great hopes of that towai which they
were going. Whom at last they reached
Rangers they were delighted with the beauti-
full scene which lay before them.
Look, cried Gordon, tho lake, the old
mill, the itsle houses dotted around the base
of yonder hill; is i; not beautiful piece of
country"
Indeed it is" answered Tom. A. tie station
they found Mr.. Carver himself to meet them,
ana, after greeting them cordially-there vas
no installing them, a. they were about .he
only passengers to slight from the train-ir-
,roduced them to hls youngest daughter who
had come with him in the carriage THEY'RE
not SO strpie. looking after all" she thought, ="
AND one CT them is quite handsome" As
they drove along the pretty street Gordon sud-
denly clutched his friends arm and cried, "A
tennis COURT" "Oh, yes" said Jessie, ''the town
ID quite enthusiastic over tennis Everybody is
practiclng, and the boys are going to have
tournament the last week in August. You
play, do you not, Mr.. smith, Tom gave
SIoidon little kick, and he replied that he
oidn even know the first principles OF the
game. How stupid" thought Jessie, but she
only said, What a pity" and turned to Tom,
friend.
In due time they arrived at Mr.. Carver's
house and the boys were installed In their new
quarters. 'Of all the meauest luck, calculated
Dare when alone with Marshall, Ito have the
town wild over tennis. believe I'll go back on
the next train"
mo, no" said Tom. cheerfly. you've told
them you didn't know anything about the
game AID If they insist on your playing just
show them by your awkward strokes that YOU
can't even learn"
'Tn make the best of it." sighed Gordon,
but it's pretty hard luck"
At the end of three or four days, however, he
got accustomed to his surroundings. and by the
time week had run its course had settled
down to real enjoyment, such as he had desired
Tor so long He had been fishing in the stream
| and had wandered through the glen several
times admiring its beauty and capturing
trout now and then from the little brook. He
usually went on these excursions alone, for
Tom preferred to stay at home and read, COM
! fortably settled in the hammock that swung in
the garden.
One morning as Gordon. equipped with rod
and reel, was about to start upon one of his
| fishing jaunts. Jessie looked up and said be-
seechingly, PLEASE, Sir. Smith. may not / go
| with You! am SO fond of fishing and 1 am
| right lucky, too Gordon was not a little sur
prised at such request and somewhat an
noyed, but he yielded gracefully to her en-
| treaty and soon she was ready. As they walked
along Gordon related many things of interest
concerning his winter life in the city, while She
with coyness that became her greatly and
looking extremely pretty, told him of the
simple ways of living which she had been ac-
| customed and how she longed to take part in
| the gaieties of a city. She had once spent two
| months Of winter IN Boston and had enjoyed it
| SO much. When Gordon questioned her a little
/ he found that she was exceedingly well in
formed. Her manner toward him had now be-
| come frank and open and he found out many
points of her character which showed her to be
| a sweet and true friend to those whom she
| loved and with a kind warm heart. He began
! to admire her exceedingly and when they had
| returned and she had captured four of five
| more members of the fnny tribe than he he
congratulated himself that he had had such
| pleasant company and resolved to ask her to
| go with him when he went again.
4 The first few evenings after the BOYS had
| come they had retired early, but now they sat
| with the others after tea and while Tom enter
| tanned the family In general with his humorous
stories of college adventure Gordon was carry
ing on an animated Irritation with Jessie in an
other part OF the room or out upon the front
door steps.
One evening after about two weeks of this
Tom spoke to Gordon in his room. ''You
| seem somewhat taken with this fair country
| maid, y he said. Nothing serious. suppose!'
'Oh, no." replied Gordon; nothing. She's
bright as can be. Why, I'D rather talk to her
| for half an hour than to all the city bellies
have ever met put together. Such frankness
no affectation and all that sort of thing. It's
| refreshing" shell think you are epris if you
don't take care" said Tom. Ion, / don t
know. returned Gordon. ''She has two village
lads, who come TO see her nearly every evening.
They are great fun. They drop in one Just after
| the other and find Jessie and self together
| They sit and twirl their thumbs for about an
hour and then go. She says they've been COM
| ing there for nearly year and she can't tell
which she likes the best. She leases thom aw-
fully"
do you think you ought to be so devoted to
her and run the risk Of making those fellows
| stay away. thinking you're in earnest when YOU
| intend to go back TO town in q month or less!''
queried Tom.
Come" said Gordon "don't go lecturing a
fellow like that. It's all right; I'll take good
care of things"
| We'll. well" sighed Tom and changed the
subject.
| Preparations were being made for the COM
| ing tournament The courts-there were two
| of them made of gravel and situated about the
| center of the village-were thronged daily with
| the young men who were to enter the contest
and the girls hocked around to watch them
| practice 1t lacked but two weeks before the
2Sth of August, the day set for the tournament
| to begin-a day important indeed at Rangers
Jessie went every day to see the practice games
and her two lovers figured conspicuously in
/ them. for they were by far the best PLAYERS in
| the village. They were about equally matched,
too. and, while Jessie watching them did
| their best TO emulate one another in skill. They
did some very good work ON such occasions.
| and once. when Gordon came down with Jes-
/ sic, they played SO well that even he was COM
/ PEELED to acknowledge them good players.
! One evening, just as the twilight was turning
| into darkness, Gordon and Tom stood out in
the garden by the side of the house conversing
earnestly. figure leaning against the kitchen
| door post, not five yards distant from the boys.
| with eyes fixed upon the starry heavens,
| seemed wrapt in meditation. As the bows
| talked on their voices little. ''You
ought not to keep this thing up the way YOU
! do Tom saying Il really believe she
| likes you, and unless you mean TOTO marry
her, you know"
''See here, Tom, I'll tell you. / really do love
her very dearly and L m going to ask her to
| marry me the first chance l get. I've seen all
| sorts of girls in my lifetime and flirted with
| them and all that sort of thing, but as for
Jessie Carver. II love her, really do The
| figure started and trembled little and turned
as if to go away, but hesitated and remained
where it was as though unwillingly compelled
to stay. Gordon Dare!' CALCULATED Tom The
figure again started, and this time hesitated
but moment, then fled into the house and I'D
stairs TO her room aud there INDUCED in a little
cry for Joy, then set her busy little head to
planning. Gordon Dare" again calculated
Tom. YES" cried Gordon, Il an resolved to
marry her. She is better. far better than any
of the girls 1 know" 'Well, well,'' smiled
Tom, "to think of Gordon Dare falling in love
with country girl. But l am glad it has
turned out this way instead of the way
l A. tbav int TO he