The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-09-07
PING-PONG and CUPID.


I don't know anything about the
game, you know" said. as she handed
me racquet Remember that 1 have
been four years in the wilderness and
ping-pong has not yet penetrated into
"It's a very simple game" said
Agatha, even you will be able to play
without much practice. It's Just like
lawn tennis, except that it's on t. BILE.
You weren't half-bad at tennis before
you went away. You liked it, didn't
you?"
stances" l answered as the little white
ball come flying across the net and
missed IT with great dexterity. There
was another game / preferred to play
with you-the old-fashioned game of
hearts"
The red mounted to Agatha's fair
brow.
II hate cal ds." she answered stiffly.
"Ah. but the beauty of my way of
playing hearts," 1 cried eagerly, lis that
you don't need cards at ALI IT'S
splendid game for two. May L teach
you?"
"C~-4ainly not" she answered with
decision. and she struck the ball with
such energy that. disdaining the table,
1t flew at me and hit me squarely in the
eye.
''Im so sorry. Have hurt you. Dick?'
Not more than you always do. It's
only a change Of place" said hopping
away the tears that streamed from my
offended member.
Her warm sympathy froze instantly.
3d., These balls are very light. They
.ant strike really hard she said.
"Play!"-then as, being utterly unpre-
pared for it, 1 naturally failed to return
her ball, she continued briskly: That's
my game. There are two balls under
the couch and one behind the radiator.
You play abominably, Dick. Try to win
this one. dol"
IT'S not very dignified game, is it?"
/ queried mildly as l groVeled under
the couch for the Grant spheres.
Not as you play it" agreed Agatha,
but fortunately all men are not so
slow and sprawly in their movements
as you are" she added cruelty. DO get
up you have them all now!" And she
stood before me knitting her pretty
brows impatiently.
I like to kneel at your feet I an
swered. For four long years I have
dreamed Of"
Agatha retreated quickly to the other
end of the room.
L loathe and despise humble men,"
she cried. IF any man knelt at my feet
I'd step on him and crush him as if he
were a worm. Will you have the good
ness to play? At this rate it will take
US till midnight to finish the set
I rose and picked up my racket and
sternly resolved to conquer or die.
sent the ball flying across the table
with the stroke of master. Agatha re-
turned it deftly and we kept up a
sharp rally for several minutes.
"Forty-three forty-four. forty-five,"
counted Agatha in ecstacy; forty
eight, forty-nine-oh. you've missed 1t!
Why didn't you make it fifty?'
1T seems to be my unhappy fate to
always fail at the crucial point" 1 an
swered gloomily; my destiny to al
most reach your standard and then aft
er all my struggles fall back just as
my reward is almost in my grasp"
"Oh, you're doing very well for be-
ginner," she said condescendingly.
who was that officious, dark haired
beggar that brought you those choco-
rates tonight?' asked when the score
had reached love-forty. Have you
known him long? He's a new moth
since my time"
Agatha's eyes twinkled.
isn't he Handsome she sighed,
land so quick and active. He's the
most powerful ping ponger know It's
a positive pleasure to watch him pick
up the balls he's so agile and 1.-the
When we've finished this set I'll play
one with him so that you can get some
pointers"
I laid down the racquet.
What's the matter?" asked Agatha.
"Yes, in spirit If the completion of
this set is to be the signal for the APP
pearance of that black popinjay in here
it'll never be finished with my assist
ance He looks like professional Jug
gler to me I'm surprised at your
taste"
you are very rude" said Agatha
with dignity. IF you really don't care
20 play any more you had better go
back to the drawing room and I'll fin
fish that set with-the popinjay!"
1 intercepted her just as she reached
the door.
Il was only joking" I cried. humbled
by her threat I'm aching to go on
playing"
Your Jokes are not in very good
taste" she said. her face still set IN
cold displeasure, but she returned to
the table ard picked up her racquet
That's an awfully pretty girl your
sister has staying here" 1 hazarded
when the silence, broken only by the
dured some minutes. Reminds me of
a girl up in misunderstanding girl she
Eas-the belle of the place. By the
way learned some great points from
her in that game was telling you or
"Did You see her very often?" asked
Agatha quickly.
''Well. ra-ther-about three times a
day. She was a somewhat naughty
Young lady but she'd only to give
signal and-all of us-would rush
mile to answer It,"
: you none of you could have had
,Ych self-respect to be battle-dored
lbout like that" she said scornfuily. IL
WIS HeE TURN u stANSs Jul
ball in one hand and tapped it lightly
with the racquet.
pride! Why, 1 hadn't any pride at
all where she was concerned declared
feelinRly whenever she intimated
that I could come I'd tear. sometimes
without waiting to put on my coat.
Jove, what eyes she had!'
''Black. I suppose" suggested Agatha.
Hers are blue.
rapturously.
IT suppose you'll be going back to
Alaska for her soon," said Agatha, her
head high in the air. Il hope your
mother viii like her. She is rather fas-
tidious, you know"
"Ah. yes,'' I sighed. there's only one
girl in the world that the little mother