The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-08-24

BannermantS sent the bail WhlZZlnS
over the carriage.
Hear hear r mean wen hitta cried
Mr. Macintyre politely, "a suitable age,
Miss King2" 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 Macintyre boldly, and twenty
or a little over-for a woman" he con-
Guided.
Maud noted the significance of his
tone but before she could reply an
other wicket fell amid another uproar,
and Tom came in.
Ali we must watch this said Mr.
good form
And both. as in duty bound. turned
their attnetion strictly to the game
1t really seemed as if Tom were go
ing to obey his mistress beheSt, Tor ne
played during the first half hour Of his
innings with unexceptiOnable science
Bannerman continuing to bat well, II
began to look as if these two would
hit off the necessary runs. Bannerman
gave a lofty chance to a man in the
country, who failed to hold it, and the
spectators breathed again.
There was plenty of time. It was
only o'clock. The $50 went up to the
sound of wild cheering. Cambridge
were on their mettle, and fielding like
demons.
Come said Mr.. King to his coma
panion, lets go and have a look at
the play
What. isn't it over YETI" returned
the critic sluggishly- Dear me, these
matches take a long time to decide.
After some smuggling, both batSmen
settled down to steadier play. and the
score slowly crept up to 270.
II think" said Maud. allowing her at
tention to wander from the game for
moment, that the gap between twenty
and thirty is too great. F'ancy-ten
years."
If said Maeintyre, you were your
self asked by a man"
But his speech was drowned by a
trem endous outburst from the parti-
sans of the Light Blues. Bannerman,
the great hope of his side, was run
OUT
Oh cried Maud, "how silly of Toni
He ought to have seen"
Toni" echoed Mr.. Macintyre. In
mild surprise, which, may 1 ask, may
Il meant Mr.. Leach" said Maud
quickly. "Oh dear. oh dear-Cambridg
will win nowl"
we shall see,'' said Mr.. Macintyre,
blandly. Tom may still redeem him
SELF
Maud shot a quick glance at Mac
Intyre, and then turned again to watch
the game. An Oxford bowler took his
captains place. but he did not stay
long.
Tom. Joined by the last man. settled
down doggedly to pull the match out
Of the fire. But he was i'll at ease;
Ot1HIleIIlanS loss ndQ unnGTN6Q all1ll.
An easy looking ball from the Cam
bridge slow bowler sent his off bail
spinning. and the game was at an end.
Cambridge had won by eighteen runs
'Ah,' sighed the dramatic critic. get
ting into 3. cab Pm glad It's all over,
I guess that young fellow who has
lost the match don't feel very happy.
'TrOcaderO. cabbyi'
We go the same way, believe"
said Mr.. Macintyre, appearing on the
pavement at the moment. Suppose
we halve the cab?"
Certainly; get in" said the critic
Il have to dress and get back to the
Kings by q; I'm dining with them ex-
planned Macintyre as they drove away.
''Ah,' said the critic, nice girl that"
"Charming!" was Mr.. Macintyre's
short rejoinder.
7 don't much care about this chap
thought the critic. Wonder what his
game is. After the girls brass, 1 sup
pose. I'll give him a shock" Then he
added, aloud: Coin to marry the
young fellow who made such a hash of
it. isn't she2'
Macintyre started. The critic smiled
internally.
IL was not aware of It; II hardly
thing so,'' replied the barrister.
Il don't know; the old man seemed to
couple their names good deal, it
struck me-" explained the critic. Mice
fellow, King!"
But during the remainder of the ride
Mr.. Macintyre only vouchsafed mono
syllables by way of conversation.
The critic enjoyed his solitary dinner
immensely. He'll rush it now" he
chuckled, land if he doesn't take care
he'll get the push
For the critic, though affecting little
interest in the days play or the com
pany he found himself in, had really
observed all that passed most clear
headedly. He fancied he understood
the situation, and that little he had
seen of Tom during the lunch interval
he liked.
That evening Mr. Macintyre watched
Maud and Tom closely. He spent
good deal of time by Maud's side, and
exerted himself to keep her constantly
-dimpling at his shrewd and witty sal
lies As the critic conjectured, had op-
portunity offered, he would have rush
ed it; but opportunity did not offer.