The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1908-02-27
Mrs. Sam Moses.

The little clubhouse Of the Ian
tanna district Of Ceylon presented an
animated scene. II was "Teevali."
anl all the Tamil coolies on the
q rounding tea estates we're busily
e.; aged In celebrating their great
- :ival. as was evidenced by the
essant tom-toming which arose
l,5m their lines Of huts. and the
,.Iiving trade which the keeper of
tie arrack-tavern was doing. Their
English masters, with their wives
and sisters and cousins, were gather
ing at the district clubhouse for the
little gymkhana meet which is in
evitable on such occasions.
The club secretary was a harsssed
man that morning. for there were a
thousand and one little detailes to
be arranged while the weather was
far from pssmisins.
As he harF4ed past the tennis
courts he sa4sht sight Of q girl who
had just Ridden up. and was standing
by her horses head waiting for her
lAos S-hSOPUh' uni5b
Moore" he said. as he approached.
Come and let me introduce you to
your partner in the tennis tourna-
ment. We have Just finished the
draw. All, here is the very man." he
continued, beckoning to tall man
who was passing. Miss Morre--
Major Bradshaw" The girl stared
sghast for moment, but quickly
recovered herself. though the warm
nush which rose to her cheek be-
irayed her attitude of sangfroid. "Oh,
Fou have met before" said the sec
retary, catching her look so
much the better. l must be off.
Hope the weather will keep up"
He hurried off and left the two to-
gether. When two young people
have been engaged and have decided
to break 1t off, subsequent meetings
are apt to prove a little awkward,
even after the lapse of such a long
period of time as five years. A faint
reddening under the deep tan of his
skin showed that Bradshaw also
found the situation little trying.
but he smiled frankly as he raised
his hat. How do you do?" he said.
IL didn't know you were In Ceylon."
The girl laughed.
And I was equally ignorant with
""gard to you," she said. IT am
ing with my cousin, Mrs. Deare,
)se husband Is a planter on Gan
e.. a estate. This is the explanation
my presence here" II am stay
- with Jones on Parmettia," said
bradshaw, only couple of miles
rom Gangoya. Funny hadn't heard
you were there. Every one knows
all about every one else here, but l
only arrived two days ago, so per-
laps that explaines It,"
The girl felt that the situation was
decidedly awkward. Five years ago
In Southsea she had met young Brad
shaw, then a subaltern, and after a
short acquaintance they had become
engaged, She was In her first season
and at eighteen life is not serious
problem. He was arbitrary and self
confident. and resented what he was
pleased to call her flirtations with
other men, 80 the quarrel came and
the engagement was broken off. 1t
was a little embarrassing to meet
again suddenly like this, but she
must make the best of It.
II hope ths rain will keep off," she
said, taking refuge in that excellent
subject the weather.
yes" he replied, I'VE shan't get
much tennis II 1t rains. | am afraid
you have been very unlucky In the
draw, for my tennis has not Inn
proved.
She tripped of to the clubhouse,
and soon reappeared In short white
skirt and tennis shoes.
The clouds drifted slowly away,
and the glaring hot sun poured down
on the little gathering, but the cou-
pies, undismayed by the heat, played
tennis vigorously. Major Bradshaw
had evidently not overestimaJed the
case uhen he belittled his powers as
tennis player, for he and his part
ner succumbed ignominicusly to cou-
pie after couple in the tournament.
He had improved, she thought.
Hard lines had taken away the full
freshness of boyhood from his face,
and his hair was little scanty over
the temples, but the expression had
changed for the better. The old
frmness Of will was still strongly
markd. but he was quieted and less
hsistent. The years which brought
him advancement in his profession, a
hrevet-majority and the d. 8. O., ad
evidently taught him that the world
could not be nodded to his wish. Il
was with feeling Of regretful sur
prise that she realized the happy day
was over and It was time to 20 home
again.
AS she emerged from the club
house In boots and habit once more.
she found him waiting. and advanced