The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-01-15
A NATURE STUDY
BY JULIA TRUITT BISHOP. Copyright. 1905, by Daily Story Ppi

Copyright. 1905, by Daily Story Pub.
 Col
 The man who had merely looked on at the game all summer suddenly con fronted the girl who had played the game with such distinguished suc- cess. The sun was down, and she had thrown aside her tennis racket and was strolling houseword.
 Now that it Is over, Miss Mar shall" he said, T have come across the grounds to intercept you and offer my congratulations"
 Miss Marshalfs eyes dilated at the faint note of mockery in his tones; and she glanced toward the house as seeking a possible way of escape. But he moved quietly between her and the house. Therefore she merly took up the white fan that swung from her belt and looked at him with a superior smile.
 Shall we sit downT' she questioned easily. as she sank Ianquidly into the corner of the nearest rustic bench Tennis is a little tiresome toward the close of the season-aud I'm afraid my play was not brilliant enough to deserve the congratulations you were going to give me"
 The light of battle was In her eyes. He met it squarely as he took the other end of the bench.
 'Tt wasn't of tennis I was thinking, . he explained. rather grimly. ''Tennis has been merely an incident. The real game has been quite another thing"
 'How interesting, Mfr. waIthrope| she cried. Do go on! This(g gives such a delightful hint of mystery-and you have been silent all summer. so ab- sorbed in something else yourself apparentiy--it Is just as though the Sphynx had spoken. Are all you llt- erary men as delightfully mysterious as this?-or were you merely looking for copy?'
 Her eyes flashed defiance into his.
 Tt is utterly useless. Miss Mar shall" he retorted. "I have formed been learning about women this sum mer, and now the Sphynx Is going to speak. In other words. I am about to tell you what you have been doing ali summer long. while you were playing the game"
 "Oh, I seef You are here to criti- eise,' she mentioned Having such an undoubted right! Do go on. Mir. walthrope am curious to know how it feels to be impaled with pin and looked at through a microscopc!"
  voice hardened the merest trifie.
 The first of them was Littleton," he said When you seem to be very fond of them, one knows that you find them merely amusing. If you act ds though you care for any man. he may take it as a definite warning"
 q have been lovely to you" com mented Miss Marshall sweetly.
 "I?-I am not to be thought of in this game--I am merely on outsider" he replied bitterly. But we are dis cussing Littleton. You kept him from declaring himself as long as you could after that can be deferred no longcr the game loses its fascination, have noticed you--so you turned to other quarry-and yet you would not let him go altogether--it was pleasant to still count him among your captives--and so you lured him back again and again. You have turned him into an a abject creature who stands around the outside of crowds to wait for 2 word from you"
 "Oh. I can't endure to give them up! she murmured. with a saintly light in her eyes But go ont These pauses are maddeningw
 q have been a mere looker-on in Vienna" he said. with mockery in his voice. But I have looked and have seen many things. What about young Mears? There was no escape for him after he caught his first glimpse of you. And what was he to you? Mere ly something to pass away the time"
 He waitzed beautifully" mentioned Miss Marshall regretfuiiy. The oth- CTS can't keep off ones feet. I have had to sit, out all the waltzes since he left"
 How heartless you women are!" said the man. after q moment of si- lenee What does a mans heart mat ter to you--and Young-~what was Il that especially commended him?"
 "oh. he was so handsome-so dis tinkuished looking" she returned