Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1892-10-28

Il
ing" for he was one of the best men in
the club. To his surprise, however, he
found himself unaecountably beaten at
every game. He got aroused, then an
cry, but it was only the worse for him.
Robinson simply played better than
ever. At last, after two sets, one Rob
inson's straight and the other GO, he be-
came Disguised and said:
"Well, I'm down on my luck, too. l
think won't play any more. That
serve of yours is very clever. Robinson" "
By the time they stopped almost every
one was getting tired, and group in
which Alice Starr was standing had
been watching them for some time.
Robinson turned to her and said: wont
you try one, Miss Starr? It seems pity
to stop so soon. Single or double, as
you prefer"
Alice was by no means averse to dis
playing her excellent work and she was
never weary, so they chose court To
the satisfaction Of both, no one else cared
to play. Every one watched them, as
theirs was the only court occupied. To
every ones surprise to Fair
feld's-Robinson' good luck seemed to
stand by him. How provoking it vast
Alice would get vantage 80 easily, then
lose the game. She grew more and more
astonished as time went on. II Mr.. Rob
inson had only seemed to try to play!
But he didn't. He stood around as east
ly as possible and didn't even seem to
exert himself at all, but just reached out
lazily and returned the most difficult
balls
..Jupiterl" said Jamie Wright, whose
chief occupation in life was to make
supposedly witty comments on other
peoples actions; Jupiter! | never saw
fellow play like that. It looks as if
he stood in one place and reached out in
all directions--regula octopus, don't
you known And that is the way Fran
els pretty soon became known as Octo
Robinson.
All the young people walked up town
together. Francis felt to walk with
Alice would seem rather triumphant to
her, so he contented himself with talk
ing to her dearest friend Janet Gray At
some complimentary remark of hers he
answered.
"You mustn't forget. Miss Janet, that
all my life almost have practiced in
ball playing. There's nothing in the
world like that--especially amateur with
all its tricks--to make mans wrist as
timber as an eel--forgive the compari-
son. Miss Starr has not had the advan-
tage Of that practice, but she plays mag
nificently-better than | should have
ever thought possible without early
training"
When Janet, as in duty bound, re-
peated this conversation to her friend
Alice laughed and said:
.Mr. Robinson is shrewder than !
thought. Little he knows Of the hours
and hours George and have practiced
curves in the back yard. If it hadn't
been for that never could have played
80 we'll"
All the rest of the summer Francis had
chances for games with his star. Har-
winton was in the transition state from
borough to city, and was not yet so large
that every one left it in the pleasantest
season of the year. There were lovely
drives around it, too, and the young peo-
pie Of the Special often took them to-
gether. OF course, when Alice saw
Francis so much at the courts she
thought of him, naturally, as her partic-
ular escort on such occasions, to
carry fan and tippet, gloves aid shawl
And yet she did not think of love.
One always stands up for ones heroes,
however unpretending they may be, but
surely am justified in saying that mine
showed great self restraint and wisdom
in keeping so long from telling Alice,
even by look, his secret. Seeing her
almost every day, and often being alone
with her, it was hard indeed to keep
silent respecting his love for her. But
he was succeeding in gaining at least
her unconscious assent to his constant
attention, and that seemed to him long
stride toward his goal.
He had convinced her of his physical
ability, but how to do so of his mental?
The chance came with the October winds.
The tennis courts must be abandoned,
but must the pleasant intercourse of the
Special be dropped, too? Certainly notl
The club had very pretty house ON the
grounds, and this could easily be made
suitable for winter. TWAS soon in order.
Alice Starr was interested, and as Jamie
Wright Remarked: "When Miss Starr
does take hold of a thing it's got to gor'
Once week the rooms were to be
opened in the evening and twice for
reading and billiards-they had par
ticularly good table in the afternoon. A
club Of older people was started for the
benefit of the chaperons and one parlor
was given up to them. One was kept
for dancing for the younger ones, while
up stairs, besides the billiard room, two
dressing rooms We're utilized for cards
and other games. In connection with
this, at Alice Starts suggestion, de-
batting club was formed. Any member
of the club was entitled to membership,
and two of the first names on the list
We're those of Alice Starr and Janet
Gray. This opened the way for other
girls, and pretty soon it was discovered
that the list held an almost equal num-
Der of mems and girls names The de-
bates took place once in two weeks and
each time the speakers were appointed
for the next.
Francis Robinson waited eagerly for
his chance. A man and a girl supported
each side, and after this an informal dis
cussion by all the members followed
and, from Octo Robinson's swift, brill
liant little speeches then, much was ex-
pecsed wnen ne should take a ieaalng
part. The night came at last when he