The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1907-08-04

The Westmead team was not happy.
Individually the members were in low
spirits; collectively the organization
presented a picture of despair. The
blow had been sudden and unexpected.
Without warning the shock had come
and left the club paralyzed. If an
earthquake had upheaved the smooth
level of the shorn polo field the sur
prise could not have been more COM
plete. the CONSERVATION greater.
Yet none of the usual ills had befal-
len. No dire epiZOOtic had spread
through the stables disabling one pony
after another until all were unfit for
service. The finances of the institution
were in a fiOuTishing conditiOn-as was
naturally the case with the Westmead
membership The record already made
in the summers play needed no excuse,
and indeed was decidedly encouraging.
In fact the club had never known a
more successful and prosperous sea-
son. The animals bought in the spring
had all turned out unusually well,
Most unprecedented, several players
had been heard to speak well of their
mounts. The line of cups on the smok-
ing room mantelpiece had received I'M
pOrtant additions. Even Brownlee. who
played substitute had apparently be-
the best policy. When Numbered al
by the captain to do a thing he had
often done it. At least no one had
called him a "mule" for at least ten
days. which had materially added tC
the general serenity.
cloud, however. had arisen and
dulled the bright September sunshine
That no apprehension had been felt
was only natural Miss Winifred Nor
ris could only be considered a radiant
vision. and at her appearance to have
regarded her as anything else would
have been manifestly absurd. Still nc
larger than her little hand neglected
warnings had shown upon the club no.
rizon.
"One might have known it" grum-
bled LathOm, who played No. 2, when
he was seen at the Lindsays in tbs
smOrning."
And he was late for the game be.
} cause he was riding with her." com
planned Willoughby, No. 8.
"Sherwin of all men, groaneo
Raikes, No. l.
''IJ catches the best and l believe
takes 'em the worst"
See the change"
mo man can fall in love and play
polo" announced Brownlee automatic
ally
Indeed the fortnight during which
Miss Norris had been in Westmead haC
worked a wondrous alteration in Dick
Sherwin. No. and captain. Both il
habits and manners was he different
The evening hardly ever found him a
the Country club, unless something wa!
going on at which Miss Norris wa!
present An unnatural silence, not L
say moroseness, was too readily dis
Coverable in the everyday behavior. A
polo his conduct was even more re
markable. To be sure each game wa
marked by desperate rushes-and spec
tacular plays on his part. But Their
was not the solid. consistent work t
which the others were accustomed. TIT
steadiest player had become the mos
cratic He appeared To have lost in
terest in team work altogether. Con
stantiy, instead of calling his directions
inconspicuously from back" he hat
ridden in to take the ball himself
Without regard for the best tactics o
the situation he had carried it head
long down the field to the admiration
of the crowd.
1T may be magnificent but il is no
polo" said Raikes, shaking his head.
ITS all gallery play" denounced La
thom. Just for the benefit of the CIR
in the Lindsay victoria"
And the match with the Eastlea
next week"
vigorously. only a man in love woul'
be such an idiot"
The serene Inconsistencies of Mis-
Norris only aggravated the seriousness
of the situation. With innocent eyes
which appeared to see nothing of tn
commotion. she increased 1t by tn
pleasure with which she welcome,
Sherwin upon all occasions None coul'
condemn her conduct as showing un
due encOura cement. and yet the simpl
cordiaiity with which she always treat
ed him brought him more completel
into subsection. That she was flirting
with him in most scientific name
was undeniable. A man with his year
of untamed bachelor freedom Nigh
easily have taken fright. Miss Norris
system was unexcelled. she Arrange
that he should become accustomed I
control gradually. There was no poin
at which he was allowed TO shy. II
was guided round each corner wit
marked skill. Only when the way wa
clear was he given his head.
"Winifred," said Mrs. Lindsay sud
denly as one day she slipped her tea OF
The club terrace. The afternoons pia.
was over. The men had gone to tn
4 dressing room for showers" and reha
\ bjIitation. In a few moments the
would be back To Miss Norris hostes
the moment seemed opDortune for til
saving of what was on her mind.
yes" answered winifred. looking u
with the gently inquiring gaze whicl
so often had wrought such havoc.
Don't look at me in that way" sal
the other. Its all thrown away.
am not to be distracted"
What is it?" Winifred asked laugh
ingly with the ready acknowledgment
with which she always met the discov
cry of her manifest iniQuities.