The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-08-24
HIS LAST CHANCE.
IRON the TatIer.l

Maud King, who on the third day of
a 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 some years and had always ac-
counted him a nice boy, but although
she knew that he loved her with all the
fervor that lad of his years (Which
were twenty-three) is capable of-and
a lad of twenty three is capable of a
good deal-she merely accepted his
homage with a dainty grace, was never
cruel to him Cor he might have had rea-
son to hope), and regarded him as
creditable and preSentable member OF
her court.
Meanwhile Tom, with British peril
nacity, WoOed Maud with una bated
Vlgors 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 very re-
spectacle place in the first class aver
ages. Maud complimented him, Tom
blushed, and in the next match smack
ed the bowlers about more mercilessly
than ever Every time he played a good
inning he considered that he had raised
himself a peg in Maud's estimation.
Could a man fight in a cause more fair2
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 atten-
ton was drawn by girl friend to the
fact that Maud seemed very partial to
the society of a certain Mr.. Macintyres
a barriSter, q Self-made man who had
never been either to a public school or
university; who, indeed, was rumored
to have scared crows or performed some
lOWly agricultural duty of that order in
his little bOyhood- Crows or no crows,
Mr. Macintyre was now clever and
distinguished looking man, and one who
was rising rapidly in his profession He
was possibly two-and-thirty. and was
regarded, commercially and socially, as
quite a. respectable person.
The high place Mr.. Macintyre appear
ed to have gained in Maud's estimation
had a palpa BILE effect on Tom. 1t did
not cause him to eat less, because play
ing cricket all day long makes a man
hungry in spite of his emotions; for the
same reason he slept as soundly as was
his 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. Formerly
he had been confidence itself His
captain-that famous bat, Bannerman
gave him a kindly word or two of en-
coura cement in which there was the
faintest flavor of a reprOof Tom
WINGED and was bowled third ball the
very next time he went in. Nevertheless
he had been awarded his blue and was
down to play at Lords, where it was
hoped he would do we'll.
But the gods were unpropitious. On
the first day he made several bad mis-
takes in the field and scored a huky
sixteen on the second day he dis
tinguished himself by bringing off q
marvellous catch in front of the pavilion
jumping at the ball and Just reaching
1t high up with his left hand; falling
against the ratings he bruised his elbow
ton that to Maud when during the
luncheon interval she applauded his
feat. Later on his bowling was hit all
over the ground; this somewhat dis
counted 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 reinsta ting him
self in Maud's favor
Aaud's father-who was something
rich, 1 am not quite sure what-was
fond of entertaining literary and arts
ering new ones. various wild fowl Of
ering new ones ariOus wild fowl of
this nature were futtering round Mr..
Kings carriage, alternately watching
the cricket and addressing remarks to
Maud.
In the carriage with Maud were Mr..
Macintyre, Bannerman, the Oxford cap
TAIN and a distinguished dramatic
critic-Ar Kings latest wild fowl.
We'll, now" said the critic is an ac-
cent betraying his northern origin and
in manner at once homely and I'M
sophisticated, its your knock soon,
isn't it
u am sixth wicket down." replied
Bannerman, to whom the question was
addressed.
The critic pulled at his cigar thought
fully as he gazed round the ground.
Cant imagine what the attraction
is for all these chaps" he murmured,
give me Newmarket" And he fell
to reading the sporting intelligence in
an evening paper.
And so,' said Maud, who was not
eVincing much interest in the cricket,
you don't believe in long engage
ments, Mr.. Macintyre?"
Well" returned the barrister. Il
think they must be rather trying For
my part, I shouldn't care to be engaged
for more than three months
oh, Vel hit sir; well hit indeed!'
hundred and fifty; we shall do it yet"
he added excitedly. "Well, gOodby, Miss
King, for the present, I must go and get
my pads on
Now mind you make a hundred
laughed Maud, and tell Mr.. Leach I
expect him to retrieve himself. oh,
you're dining with US tonight, aren't
you. Mr.. Bannerman2 Mr. Leach is
staying with Us, you know. and he'll
like to have you to talk to-"
Thanks awfully," said Bannerman,
III do my best
And he went off to the pavilion
where he faithfully delivered A1aud's
message to Tom. A few minutes later
a roar from the crowd announced the
fall of a wicket.
said Maud, gently clapping her hands,
that a long engagement is a good test
of a mans cOnsuancy2'
"Rather-of woman's'' replied
Macintyre but 1 presume he added
that a long engagement is the result
of one of two hings-insufficiency of !
means or the youth of the parties con
cerned.''
The critic started at his companions |
He took it that this was cricket
match and that these two people, be-
ing interested in cricket ha1 come to
see the match. instead of which they