New-York tribune., 1901-08-11
His LAST CHANCE
From The Tatler.


varsity match. sat in hired barouche in front
Of the tavern at Lords. had il must be CON
fessed first cast eyes of admiration upon Tom
Leach when Tom became known as one OF the
soundeSt bats in the oxford eleven. she had
been acquainted with him for some years and
had always accounted him "a nice boy. but al
though she knew that he loved her with all the
fervor that Lad OF his years (Which were TWEEN
ty-three) is capable of-and lad of twenty
three is capable OF good deal-she merely ae-
cepiel ms homage with DAINTY grace. Mas
never cruel 10 him tor he might have had reason
TO hope). and regarded him as credtable and
pres seatable member of her court
Meanwhile Tom, with British pertinaclty.
wooed Maud with undated VigOr: sometimes he
was dOwncast and miserable. and sometimes ne
was serene and hopeful. He knew Maud liked
him make big scores and he hit out mer
Iiy and won for himself a very respectable place
IN The first class averages Maud complimented
him, Tom bushed. and in the next match
smacked the bONlers about more mercilessly
than ever. Every time he played good innings
he considered that he had raised himself a peg
in Mauds estimation. Could man fight in a
cause more fair? Tom decided that he couldn't
Not very long before the varsity match was
due TO be played, however. Tom received a great
shock His attention drawn by girl friend
TO the fact that Maud seemed very partial TO
the society OF certain Mr.. Macintyre, bar
riSter a self-made man who had never been
either public school or university; who in
deed. rumored TO have scared crows or per
formed some lowly agricultural duty of that
order in his little boyhood. Crows or no crows.
Mr.. Macintyre was now clever and distin-
guished looking man, and one who was rising
rapidly in his profession He was possibly two
and-thirty, and was regarded. commercially and
socially quite respectable person.
The high place Mr.. Macintyre appeared TO
have gained in Maud's estimation had a palpable
effect Tom. III did not cause him to eat less
because playing cricket ali day long makes a
man hungry in spite of his emotions; for the
same he slept soundly his
wont but his cricket fell off. He continued 10
bat II is true in his usual pleasing style-no
rivalry in love could alter that-but the fire
seemed TO have gone out OF his hitting. Several
times he hesitated and lost. Formerly he
had
famous bat. Bannerman-gave him kindly
word or two Of announcement in which there
was the faintest flavor of reproof. Tom WINGED
anG was boWled third bah the very next time
he went in. Nevertheless he had been awarded
his blue and down to play at Lords, where
il hoped he would do well
But the gods were unpropitious. ON the first
day he made several had mistakes in the field
and scored a fiuky sixteen On the second day
he distinguished himself 10y bringing of a mar
eellous catch in front Of the pavilion, jumping
at the bah and just reaching if high up with has
left hand: falling against the raings he bruised
his elbow severely hut of course he didn't men
tion that TO Maud when during the luncheon in
terval she applauded his feat Later on his
bowling was hit all the ground; this some
what discounted his fine catch. And now the
thire day had arrived, oxford had to make 300
10 win and Tom felt that this was his last
chance of reinstating himself in Mauds favor
Maus's fafher-who something rich. am
not quite sure what-was fond of entertaining
literary and artistic celebrities and, moreover,
~ discovering new ones. Various wild fowl OF
this nature were futtering round Mr.. Kings
carriage alternately watching the cricket and
addressing remarks TO Maud.
Ir the carriage with Maud were Mr. Macin-
fvre Zimmerman, the oxford captain. and a dis
tingJiished dramatic critic-Mr. Kings latest
wild fowl.
We'll now" said fhe critic in an accent be
fraving his northern origin and in a manner at
once homely and unsophisticated, ITS your
knock soon. isn't it,"
Il am sixth wicket down" replied Banner
man TO whom the question was addressed
The critic pulled at his cigar thoughtfuily as
be gazed round the ground
Cant imagine what the attraction is for all
these chaps" i" he murlnured give me Newman
ket" And he fell to reading the sporting intel
lgence in an evening paper
and So" said Maud. who was not evincihg
much interest in the cricket you don't believe
in long eusagements Mr. Macintyre?"
must be rather trying. For my part, shouldn't
care 10 be engaged for more than three months
oh well hit. sir; well hit indeed! shouted
Raunerrnan There goes the hundred and M
ty: We shall do il yet" he added excitedly
well goodby Miss King. for the present, i
must go and get my pads on
Now mind you make hundred, laugheo
Maud "anG tell Mr.. Leach expect him TO re-
trfeye himself Oh. you're dining with US to-
night aren't you. Mr.. Bannermanz Mr. Leach
is staying with US. you know. and heu IKE 70
have you 10 talk to-.