The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1909-04-27
A Diplomatic
Bent.
Ry EDWARD S. SPINNEY.
sO..O.rO's.O.FO.+O'EO.so'FO'FO's

Cldt1On.J
l was tutoring youth Of nineteen.
l had fancy to go abroad in the
diplomatic corps, but as | had no in
| fuence to secure an appointment
kept my ambition to myself. My pupil,
Alec Kirk. should have been ready for
college, but he was not, and it was
my part to get him ready as soon as
| possible. His father. after turning
him over to me, went to Europe. Be
! fore leaving he gave me single in
structiOn-viZ:
Don't let any woman snare him
while am away"
l made companion of Alec, and he
seemed to enjoy my society in prefer
| ence to that of young fellows Of his
own age. He gave me his confidence
| in everything but one. A woman
laid siege for him. and he did not tell
me. His father had lectured him be-
fore going away on his susceptibility
forbid his attentions to any woman.
Alec not only failed to trust the mat
| ter to me, but told the woman who was
| trying to snare him Of my charge. She
| was smart enough to keep aloof from
me, and I did not discover her or her
| object till l was Informed of both by
the housekeeper. l warned the house
keeper not to divuige the fact that
knew of what was going on. If l
could save the boy l would put his
| father under obligations. Mr.. Kirk
had great political influence.
Alec wished the lady to win my good
| opinion She, supposing that l knew
nothing Of their affair, consented.
| though reluctantly. l was introduced
to Miss Martha Collingwood, aged
| twenty-eight, impecunious, passably
good looking and of a common family.
| l called on her with Nee and during
| the call manifested a friendliness that
disarmed both. But while extending
| the olive branch l was sharpening the
sword. l suggested that Miss COlling-
| wood and Alec use the tennis court at
his home and even offered if we could
| find another girl to make up set with
them myself, I had in mind Miss
Gladys Hoyle, a young lady who had
! the faculty of making the most rasp-
! ing remarks with the most kindly pre-
| tended intentions. Knowing that there
! is nothing which will turn man from
| a woman quicker than a feminine fight,
hoped to use Miss Hoyle for the pur-
| pose of drawing out whatever Of tenn
per Miss Collingwood might possess
and intended that Alec should witness
| the scrimmage.
We secured Miss Hoyle, and l chose
her for my partner. Miss Collingwood
opened the game, serving to me.
| sent the ball back, and she returned
it. 1t dropped just within the line, but
| pronounced it foul.
"That wasn't foul" said Miss Col
lingwood.
l looked at my partner for support.
Certainly it was" she said.
"My eyes must have deceived me-"
said Miss Collingwood.
''Some people can't play tennis at
ALL" returned Miss HoYle, "op account
of their eyes. l thought I saw some
thing amiss with yours. It's quite
| noticeable
There was an ominous flash from
Miss Collingwood. She made no re-
| ply, and the game went on. NY own
game had opened auspiciously, and
fortune continued to favor me. Miss
Hoyle in volleying close to the net
sent the ball against Miss Colling-
woods nose. The latter dropped her
racket and caught trickling stream
Of blood in her handkerchief
'You did that on purpose" she cried,
casting flashing glance at Miss
Hoyle
You fatter me. If could hit a
mark like that I'd enter for cham
pionship," replied Miss Hoyle.
Miss Collingwood was getting ready
for rejoinder when l added to her
ruffling by asking IL she would pro-
coed with the game.
II don't think she'd better" Miss
Hoyle put in, with that nose. It'll be
all the colors of the rainbow tomor-
row. My advice is raw beef"
''Some people are offensive with
their advice" snapped the sufferer
Pleasure had gone out Of the game
for Alec. He proposed to stop playing.
Miss Collingwood started for the house
to put cold water on her nose. Alec.
instead Of accompanying her, found
occupation in gathering the balls and
rackets. whispered to him to take
Miss Hoyle home. She smilingly ac-
cepted his invitation. As the two
walked away Miss Collingwood turned
and dartcd fiery spark. 1 saw her
home, adding fuel to the flame by tell
ing her that thought Miss Hoyle had
sent the ball against her nose on pur-
pose and was trying to catch Alec.
I supposed that had only made
beginning, but was mistaken. When
Alec and met again he confessed to
me that there had been an affair be-
tween him and Miss Collingwood lat
which expressed great surprise). but
that it was ended. I kindly offered to
give him my advice as to the best
method Of dropping 1t. The illusion
had passed out Of him. and nothing
could bring it back.