The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-08-14
CAPTAIN PUTNAM B. STRONG. WHO is LIVING IN
!" His Cast Chance.


! evincing much interest in the cricket,
you don't believe in long engagements.
Mr. Macintyre?"
Well" returned the barrister, II think
they must be rather trying. For my part.
/ shouldn't care TO engage for more than
three months"
oh. well hit, sir well hit indeed"'
shouted Bsnnerman. There goes the
hundred and nifty; we shall do IL yet
he added excitedly well, goodby, Miss
King. for the present, / must go and get
my pads on"
Now mind you make hundred"
laughed Maud, "and tell Mr.. Leach / ex-
pect him TO retrieve himself. Oh. you re
dining with us tonight aren't you. Mr. Ban
herman? Mr. Leach is staying with us
you know, and he'll like TO have you 10
talk to-"
Thanks awfully." said Mr.. Bannerman.
"I'll do my best"
An he went off 10 the pavilion where
he faithfully delivered Maud's message TO
Tom. A few minutes later a roar from
the crowd announced the fall OF wicket
Don't you think. Mr.. Macintyre," said
Maud gently clapping her hands. that
a long engagement is good test OF a
mans constRncy?"
"Rather-of a woman's," replied Mac
intyre. but / presume" he added, that
"A long engagement is the result OF one of
youth eff the parties concerned.
The critic stared al his companions He
took IL that this was cricket match and
that these two people, being interested i'm
cricket had come to see the match, In
stead OF which they were discussing en-
gagements at what was-as even ne
could see-an exceedingly interesting
, epoch OF the game. The critic OWNED
that Il was time 10 go. but he fell out OF
the carriage into the arms Of Mauds faith
er, who bore him away TO drink cham
payne cup.
While thus engaged volley Of clapping
broke upon their ears
Piece is going we'll" said the critic
absent-mndedly as he bit off the end OF
his cigar
They're cheering Bannrman who has
just taken his place at the wicket" ex-
planned Mauds father with a smile,
"Oh, | see said the critic dolefully.
In spite Of the coup" he was not getting
much run out or his afternoon.
The oxford captain settled down az once
and his lively play kept the crowd in an
Intermittent buzz OF applause Two hum
dred soon went up. then 2io go. 230
'Weu, now. Mr. Macintyre." said Maud
playfully. what do you consider a suit
able q ge for marriage"
Just then a tremendous smlte Of Ban
nermans sent the ball whizzing over the
carriage
Hear, hear-I mean well HIT" cried
Mr.. Macintyre politely. "a suitable age,
Miss King?" He paused and surveyed
her tentatively. We'll LET me see"
'Yes. go on said Maud.
"Thirty-or a little over--for- a man."
said Macntyre boldly, "and twenty--or a
little over-for a woman" he concluded.
Maud noticed the significance OF his
tone, but before she could reply another
wicket fell amid another uproar, and Tom
came in
"Ah! we must watch this" said Mr..
Maointyre kindly. II hope Leach Is in
good form.
And both as In duty bound, turned their
attention strictly 10 the game.
II really seemed az N Tom were going
TO obey his mistress bchest. for he play-
ed during the first half hour OF his in
nings with unexceptlonable science. Ban
herman continuing 20 bat well. Il began
10 look as N these two would hit on tho
necessary runs. Bannerman gave lofty
chance 10 man I'm the country, who
failed to hold II. and the spectators
breathed again.
There was plenty of time. N was only
O'Clock The go went up 10 the sound
OF Wild cheering Cambridge were on
their mettle, and fielding like demons.
come" said Mr.. King 70 his compan-
ion. lets go and have look at the
play
what. isn't II over YETI" returned the
critic sluggishly Dear me. these matches
take n long time % decide"
After some slugging, both batsmen set
tied down 10 steadler play. and the score
slowly crept up 20 2o7.
"I think" said Maud, allowing her at
tcntion 10 wander from tho game for n
moment. that the gap between twenty
and thirty Is too great. Fancy-ten
year,
"Tf." said Maclntyre, you were your
self asked by a man
But his speech was drowned by a tre-
mendous outburst from the partisans OF
the Light Blues Bannerman. the great
hone OF his side Nas run out
"Oh." cried Maud. how silly OF Tom
lie ought 10 have seen"
TONI echoed Mr.. Macintyre. IN mild
surprise, (which. may I ask. may Tom
be-"
u meant Mr.. Leach" said Maud quick