The Montgomery tribune. (Montgomery City, Mo.) 1892-1910, 1902-01-10

"Who beginsi' he broke in, ag-
gressivcly.
THAT is for mademoiselle to de-
was the suave reply.
20. Alex a %start!' she said. indif-
fcrentiy. She could hardly have *
planned her reason. but her sensitive
mind, running of at a tangent. had
grasped the Englishman's mood with
out realizing the cause, and his APP
parent bored contempt grated upon
her troubled nerves and warped her
inclinatiOns.
Perhaps young Sturt realized this.
for. as hctook up his mallet, he looked
across at Denise and smiled openly.
honestly, a little proudly. as a true
maj smiles when he loves a woman
and would fight the whole world for
her sake; and a sudden sense of rest
fulncs. reached her where she lay in
the chair, watching the pair Of players.
\ bad stroke Of his adversary gave
Henri Dragon the start. and he got
away through hi. first three hoops
unchecked. The game Of skill not
only suited hi. somcwha ~fastidious
style. but exhibited 10 the full hissup-
pie figure and the dclicacy Of hi. play.
wherra. the other played stolidly.
avoiding all brilliancy in favor Of Sc
curity, and his very strength and
weight marrcd hi. chances Of success,
making him oyerreach his hoops and
drive hi, balls over the boundary line.
But. little hy little, 10y sheer pcrsc-
yerance and a steady. continuous ha-
RAISING Of the enemy, he crept up
abreast. a lucky sporting shot
caught a far-distant ball. and. %cleyerly
wiring it. he played for all he was
worth. and ran two hoop, ahead. To
all intents and purposes, the next
player was wired" and - herein lay
the a%ggravaiion Of the position-by
a bare inch. or even less.
The slightest touch not only re-
leased the bali. but opened up brilliant
possibilities Of a quite unique run
with three ball. to play of and every
thing in the owners favor.
And at that precise moment from
somewhere out to sea came the deep
boom Of a gun.
"Regardez done. look y
cried NJ. Dragon, oxcitedly. a pink
nailed finger pointing over the blue
and purple sea TO where a tiny puff Of
smoke rose and scattered; re signal
for a race Of yachts
The girl wheeled round in her chair,
her hand shading her eyes, and the
Englishman followed her gaze. The
frenchman stepped back quickly and
the thing was done.
"Iour turn. Dragon said the
other. a moment later. Its red to
play, and I'm afraid you're thoroughly
wircd!'
The Frenchman moved forward
slowly; then stopped with a little cry
Of delight.
Mai. non.' he said; "you sec. il
is YER dinicilc, but quite in the pos.
sible!" and the ball sho, through the
hoop.
Sturt strobe forward, then paused,
hi. face very sci and grave.
MY mistake" he ,aid, slowly, and
hi, voice was like polished steel.
NJ. Dragon bowed politely; the red
ball struck the blue. made the stick.
returned TO blue. picked up yellow.
and they "A through two hoop, tri.
umphantly together.
VERY pretty play said Denise
Latham.
Sturt gave her a quick glance, hui
her expression was unfathomable. and
aiming badly, he missed his stroke.
'Ze fault OF ze long grass cam,
the apologize foreign voice as il
owner did a brilliant cannon of tn,
hoops and made hi. ball a rover.
"Play up, Alex said the girl.
lie set his teeth, hit the wrong bal
by a iiuke. made a fresh effort to get
himself in hand, and sent both ball,
flying across the boundary.
"a mol" cried Dragon. and, min.
ute later, click, click. his balls rang
up against the final stick.
There was a minutes pause. ant
then Denise got up from her chair
the portrait in her hand.
"Iour prize, NJ. Bragon,' she said
in her sweetest voice. 1T was indeed
a well-fought game"
nh l1..l .,,.Io1 so. ..Hl 49,