Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1901-09-05
HIS LAST CHANCE.

FiS LAO CHANCE.
Maud King, who on the third day of
certain varsity match sat in a hired
barouche in front of the tavern at
Lords, had, it must be confessed.
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 sone years and had always
counted him nice boy, but although
she knew that he loved her with all
the ferver that lad of his years
(Which were twenty-three) is capable
of-and lad of % is capable of a
good desl--she merely accepted his
homage with dainty grace, was never
cruel to him Cor he might have had
reason to hope) and regarded him as
q creditable and presentable member
or her court.
Meanwhile, Tom, with British per-
tinacity, wooed Maud with undated
vigor; sometimes he was downcast
and miserable, and sometimes he was
serene and hopeful. He knew Maud
liked him to make big scores, and so
he hit out merrily and won for himself
a respectable place in the first-class
averages. Maud complimented him,
Tom blushed and in the next match
smacked the bowlers about more mer-
cilessly than ever.
Not long before the varsity match
was due to be played, however, Tom
received a great shock. His attention
was drawn by girl friend to the fact
that Maud seemed partial to the So
ciety of certain Mr.. Mcintyre, a
barrister. He was possibly 32, and
was regarded commercially and socially
as quite respectable person.
The high place which Mr.. Mcintyre
peared to have gained in Maud's esti-
nation had palpable effect on Tom.
1t did not cause him to eat less, be-
| cause playing cricket all day makes a
man hungry in spite of his emotions;
for the same reason he slept as sound
ly as was wont, but his cricket fell Off
He continued to bat, it 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 was lost For
merly he had been confidence itself.
His captain, that famous bat, Banner
man-gave him a kindly word or two
of encouragement in which there was
the faintest flavor of reproof. Tom
WINGED and was bowled third ball the
next time he went in. Nevertheless
ne had been awarded his blue and was
down to play at Lords where it was
hoped he would do well.
But the gods were unpropitiOus. On
the first day he made several bad mis-
takes in the field and scored a fiucky
sixteen. On the second day he dis
tinguished himself by bringing off a
marvellous catch in front of the pa
vilion, jumping at the ball and just
reaching it high up with his left hand !;
| falling against the ratings he bruised
his elbow severely, but of course, he
did not mention that to Maud, when
during the luncheon interval she APP
| plauded his feat. Later on his bowling
was hit all over the ground; this some
what discounted his fine catch. And
now the third day had arrived, Oxford
had to make 300 to win, and Tom felt
that this was his last chance of rein
stating himself in Maud's favor.
Maud's father-who was something
rich, | am not quite sure what-was
fond OF entertaining literary and ar
tistic celebrities, and moreover, of dis
covering new ones. Various wild fowl
of this nature were fiuttering around
Mr.. Kings carriage, alternately watch
ing the cricket ana addressing remarks
10 Maud.
In the carriage with Maud were Mr..
Mcintyre, Bannerman, the Oxford Cap
tain, and a distinguished dramatic
critlc-Mr. Kings latest wild fowl.
20, well hit, sir; well hit, indeed"
shouted Bannerman. There goes the
$50; we shall do it yet" he added, ex-
citedly. well, good-by, Miss King,
for the present, must go and get my
pads on
Now mind you make hundred,"
laughed Maud, land tell Mr.. Leach
expect him to retrieve himself, o,
you're dining with us tonight, aron {
you, Mr. Bannerman? Mr.. Leach is
staying with us you know, and hell
like TO have you to talk to-"
Thanks awfully," said Zimmerman,
'1n DO my best"
And he went off to the pavilion,
, where he faithfully delivered Maud S
message to Tom. A few minutes
later a roar from the crowd announced
4 the fall Of wicket
"Pice is going WE'LL said the critic
absent-mindedly as he bit on the end
of his cigar.
They're cheering Bannerman, who
has just taken his place at the wicket,
explained Maud's father with a smile,
20, ! see" said the critic dolefrlly,
In spite Of the cup he was not get
ting much fun out of his afternoon.
The Oxford captain settled down at
once and his lively play kept Tho crowd
in an intermittent buzz of applause.
Two hundred went up, then 2l0, 22O,
23O.
We'll, now Mr. Mcintyre, said Maud
| playfully "What do Won consider a