The St. Louis Republic., 1904-11-13


rising brushed the wet sand from his fingers. AS
he lightly swung his driver into position his keen
glance swept approvingy across the green. gently
rolling links of the Hermitage Golf Club, lying wide
and deserted in the bright winter sunlight The
air was keen and bracing. the links In splendid
condition, and with an enthusiasm born OF his grow
ing skill Harraden found himself eagerly chas-
ing the tiny ball across fields and over bunkers
and streams with series OF well-dlrected SHOTS
worthy of expert.
Whistng merrily he swung along the heavy
bag of clubs feeling feahcrweght in his firm grasp,
he made the first round and with renewed interest
started off again.
Suddenly, with his ball lying in tempting position
before a steep bunker he startled by the sound
of a clear. ringing voice close behind him:
"Forei"
AT the warning cry Harraden turned sharply. and
TO his dismay girl in crimson blouse and short
trskrt standing the box, ready to drive off The
soft gray pulled well over her face the sleeves
rolled to the elbows displayed pair of weilrounded
arms as she stood with uplted c lb waiting TOR HIM
to get out of her way.
Signing for her play through, Harraden moved
slightly side, wondering lmpatlently how long
it would take her pass The next instant he started
back with a sharp cry, the ball flew past his head
with keen, whstling sound.
BY George what drive" he muttered with
glance of sudden envy the girl who quietly picking
up her clubs. started across the field with long
swinging step that brought her to where Harra-
den stood fumbing over his bag and the choice OF
club with panstaking precision
him from beneath the broad brim of her soft hat,
but in that brief moment Harraden caught sight of
bright pquant face. with reddish-brown hair curling
rebeously above the white temples and pair OF dark
pray ewes a look of amusement in their clear depths
That she had good cause for amusement he grimly
acknowledged moment later as he gazed ruetully
at the carefully selected putter in his hand and his
ball living snugly embedded in the SOFT sandy bottom
of the bunker a few feet ahead.
When he finally succeeded in dislodging it. the
girl had disappeared minute later he caught sight
of her as she turned the of the pavilion lying
between first and last linksshe probably going
around again This suspicion on Harraden's part was
speedily confirmed, she mounted the box, and
addressing her ball carefully drove off with even
than her first success.
Harraden glanced at the last link before him, still
unplaved, and then the girl: there good dis
tance between them. and she rapidly increasing
it Calmly picking up his ball he dropped it into his
pocket and lots, driving off the hrst box
before the girl had crossed the stream below.
Her evident surprise at finding him suddenly close
behind her visibly increased by the pertinacity
with which his ball followed hers, stroke for stroke
Had she glanced back. she would have been still
further amazed to see the SurreptiorIslv pick
up his ball whenever her back safely turned
\Sand drop it in his pocket playing it only when he
close behind her
Whether it was this continued proximity that
disconnected her or whether she topped her ball
Harraden could determine. but suddenly he heard
a faint splash and the next moment the girl
bending the stream, peering anxlously into its
clear depths; then she clambered earessly down the
steep incline and the point of thrustng the
end of her club into the water when Harraden called
out impulsively:
Don't do that-you will stir up the mud, Hold
on a minute and III find it for you He lifted
his cap with apology for his abrupt Intervention
adding as he dropped his bag lightly on the ground
beside her: IF | had not spoken so quickly, you
would have got your stick in the water. and that
would have meant good-by to your ball 1t fell
in nearer this way, think "
Without waiting for a reply, he waded under the
bridge, where his quick eye had discovered the ball