The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1909-04-16
A DipIo mario
Benz.

BY EDWARD S. sPlNNEY.

Il WAS tutoTluS youth OF nineteen
/ had fancy TO 20 abroad In the
diplomatic corps. but as l had no In
nuence 10 secure an appointment
kept my ambition 10 myself. Ny pupil.
Alec Kirk. should have been ready for
1 college. but he was not. aud II was
my part 10 get him ready as soon as
possible. His father. after turning
him over 10 me, went TO Europe. Be
fore leaving he gave me a single in
struction-viz:
Don't let any woman snare him
while | am away"
l made a companion OF Alec. and he
seemed 10 enjoy my society IN prefer
ence to that OF young fellows Of his
own age. lie gave me his confidence
in everything but one 4 woman
laid siege for him. and he did not tell
me. His father had lectured him be-
fore going away on his susceptibility
and told him that | was empowered to
forbid his attentions 10 any woman.
Alec not only failed to trust the mat
ter 10 me. but told the woman who was
trying To snare him OF my charge. She
me. and did not discover her OF her
object till was informed OF both By
the housekeeper. | warned the house
keeper not 10 divulge the fact that I
knew Of what was going on. IL I
could save<the boy would put his
father under obligations. Mr.. Kirk
had great political influence.
Alec wished the lady TO win my good
opinion. She. supposing that knew
nothing of their affair. consented,
though reluctantly. was introduced
10 Miss Martha Collingwood. aged
twenty-eight. impecunious. passably
good looking and Of a common family.
| called on her with Alec and during
the call manifested friendliness that
disarmed both But while extending
the olive branch was sharpening the
sword suggested that Miss Colling-
wood and Alec use the tennis court at
his home ana even offered II We could
find another girl 10 make up set with
them myself had In mind Miss
Gladys lIoyle 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 a man from !
a woman quicker than a feminine fight. |
hoped 10 use Miss Hoyle for the pur-
pose OF ORA wing out whatever OF tenn !
per Miss Collingwood might possess
and intended that Alec should witness
the scrimmage.
We secured Miss Hoyle. and l chose I
her for my partner. Miss Collingwood |
opened the game. serving to me. !
sent the ball back. and she returned I
1t. 1t dropped just within the line. but /
pronounced II foul.
THAT wasn't foul" said Miss Col
lingwood.
/ looked at my partner for support.
Certainly IL was she said.
MY eyes must have deceived me-"
said Miss Collingwood
Some people can't play tennis at
ALL" returned Miss Hoyle. ION account
Of their eyes. | thought saw some
thing amiss with yours. It's quite
noticeable"
There was an ominous fash from
Miss Collingwood. She made no re-
ply and the game went on. My 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 a trickling stream
Of blood in her handkerchief.
You did that on purpose" she cried.
casting flashing glance at Miss
Hoyle.
You fatter me. II could bit a
mark like that I'd enter for cham
pionship," replied Miss Hoyle
Miss Collingwood was getting ready
for rejoinder when I added to her
rufiiing by asking II she would pro-
coed with the game.
Il don't think shed better" Miss
Hoyle put In. with that nose. tn be
all the eolors 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 ~ to take
Miss Hoyle home. She sui{hngly &C
cepted his invitation. AZ the two
walked away Miss Collinswood turned
and dartcd fiery spark. 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.
! supposed that had only made a
beginning, but was mistaken. When
Alec and met again be confessed to
me that there had been an affair be-
tween him and Miss Collingwood lat
which l expressed great surprise). but
that IL was ended. kindly offered TO
give him my advice as 10 the best
method OF dropping It. The Illusion
had passed out Of him. and nothing
could bring II back.
When Mr. Kirk returned from Eu.
rope made no mention Of his sons