The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-08-14

Maud King, who on the third day of a
certain varsity match. sat in a hired
barouche IN front of the tavern at Lord S
had. II 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 some years and
had always accounted him a nice boy,
but although she knew that ne loved her
with all the fervor that a lad of his years
(which was twenty-three) is capable Of
and lad OF twenty-three is capable o.
good deal-she merely accepted hie
homage with dainty grace, was never
cruel TO him (or he might have had reason
TO hope), and regarded him as creditable
and presentahle member OF her court.
Meanwhile Tom, with British pertinaci-
~, wooed Maud with undated vigor;
sometimes he was downcast and miser-
able and sometimes he was serene ana
hopeful lie knew Maud liked him 20
make big scores, and so he hit out merrily
and won for himself very respectable
place IN the frst-ciass averages. Maud
oomplimented him. Tom blushed, ana In
the next match smacked the bowlers
about more rnercilessly than ever. Every
time ne played a kppu lluAlb AAN-AoAAaAA-
cred that he had raised himself peg
IN Mauds estimation. Could man heht
I'm a cause more fair? Tom decided that
he couldn't.
Not very long before the varsity match
was due to be played, however Tom re-
ceivad a great shock His attention was
drawn by a girl friend 10 the fact that
Maud seemed very partial 20 the society
OF a certain Mr. Macintyre a barrister,
n self-made man who had never been
either 10 n public school or university;
who indeed, was rumored To have scared
crows or performed some lowly agrtcul-
turaI duty Of that order in his little boy
hood Grows or no crows Mr. Macintyre
was now clover and distinguished look
ing man. and one who was rising rapidly
I'm his profession He was possibly two
and-thirty, and was regarded. CONNER
cialIy and socially, as quite respectable
person.
The high place Mr.. NIacintyre appeared
10 have gained in Maud's estimation had
n palpable effect on Tom II did not
cause him to eat less, because playing
cricket all day makes a man hungry IN
spite OF his emotions. for the same reason
he Slept as soundly as was his won't but
hs cricket fell off lie continued to
bat. IL 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 Formerly he had been conf
dence itself His captain--that famous
bat Bannermsn-- gave him kindly word
or two OF encouragement in which there
was the fainteSt flavor or a reproOt. Tom
WINGED and was bowled third ball the very
next time he went up Nevertheless he
had been awarded his blue and was down
10 play at Lords where IL was hoped he
would do well.
But the gods were unpropitious. on the
first daN he made several bad mistakes
I'm the field and scored \ fuky sixteen.
on the second day he distinguished him
self by bringing off marvellous catch in
front OF the pavilion. jumping at the ball
and Just reaching II high up with his left
hand falling against the railings he
bruised his elbow severely, but Of course
he didn't mention that 20 Maud when.
during the luncheon interval she applaud
ed his feat. Later on his bowling was
hit all over the ground this somewhat
discounted his fine catch. And now the
third day had arrived oxford had 20
make 900 to win and Tom felt that this
was his last chance OF reinstating him
self I'm Mauds favor.
Maud's father-who was something rich.
I am not quite sure what-was fond OF
entertaining literary and artistic cele-
ones Various Wild fowl OF this nature
were nutterinR round Mr.. Kings carriage.
alternately watching the cricket and ad-
dressing remarks 90 Maud.
In the carriage with Maud were Mr..
Macintyre. Bannermsn, tho oxford cap
tain. and a distinguished dramatic critic
Mir. Kings latest wild fowl.
'wen. now" said the critic IN an sc-
cent betrayine his northern origin and I'm
me Newmarket" And he fell TO reading
a manner at once hofnely and unsophisti-
Gated. "its your knock soon. isn't it,"
Il am sixth wicket down replied Ban
herman. 90 whom the question was ad-
dressed
The critic pulled at his cigar thought
fully as he gazed round the ground.
cant imaeine what the attraction is
lor all these chaps" he murmured. give
the sporting intelligence In an evening
newspaper.
"Ana so" said Maud who was not