Coeur d'Alene evening press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1907-1929, 1909-04-29
"A Diplomatic
Benz.
d EpMARp 8. ePlNnEY

Wa NWkOrtu4 = yDuIu OF nluGGee8.
had a fancy to 20 abroad in the
diplomatic corps, but Is / had no In
nuence 20 secure an appointment
kept my ambition to myself. Ny pupil.
Alec Kirk, should have been ready for
college, but he was not, and Il was
my part 70 get him ready as soon as
possible. His father, after turning
him over TO me, went to Europe. Be
fore leaving he gave me q single In
stTuctiOn-Viz:
Don't let any woman snare him
while am away"
! made a 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 Iectured him be-
fore going away on his susceptibility
and told him that / was empowered to
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 70 keep aloof from
me, and did not discover her or her
object tn I was informed Of both by
the housekeeper. ! warned the house
keeper not to divulge the fact that l
knew Of what WIS going on. II
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, suppcsing that ! knew
nothing Of their affair, consented,
though reluctantly. was introduced
to Miss Martha CoIlingwood, aged
twenty-eight. impecunious, passably
good looking and Of q common family.
called ON her with Alec and during
the call manifested a friendliness that
dlsarmed 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 and even offered II we could
iind another girl to make up set with
them myself 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
II nothing which win turn a man from
a woman quicker than a feminine fight.
l hoped to use Miss Hoyle for the pur-
pose Of drawing out whatever Of tenn
per Miss COIlingwood might possess
and intended that Alec should witness
the scrimmage.
We secured Miss Hoyle. and chose
her for my partner. Miss CollingwoOd
opened the game, serving to me. ]
sent the ball back. and she returned
IT, II dropped just within the line, but
I pronounced 1t foul.
''That wasn't foul" said Miss Col
lingwood.
l looked at my partner for support
Certainly Il was" abe said.
my eyes must have deceived me-"
said Miss Collingwood.
''some people can't play tennis at
all" returned Miss Hoyie, ION account
Of their eyes. I 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 auspiclously. and
fortune continued 20 favor mo. Miss
Hoyle In volleying close to the net
sent the ball against Miss CoilinR-
woods nose. The latter dropped her
racket and caught a triekling stream
Of blood IN her handkerchief.
''YOu did that ON purpose she cried,
casting flashing glance at Miss
Hoyle.
aYou fatter me. II could hit q
mark like that ia enter for a cham
pionship." replied Miss Hoyle.
Miss collingwOod was getting ready
for a Feioinder when I added to her
ruffiing by asking II she would pro-
coed with the game.
Il don't think she'd better" Miss
Hoyle put IN. with that nose. TIN be
oil the colors Of the rainbow tOmor-
row. My advice IL raw beef"
"Some people are offensive with
their advice" snapped the sufferer.
Pleasure had gone cut 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. I whispered to him to take
Miss Hoyle home. she smllingly &C.
eepted bis Invitation. Az the two
walked away Miss Collingwood turned
and dartcd derry spark. I saw her
home, adding fuel 10 the name By tell
ing her that l thought Miss Hoyle had
sent the bah against her nose on pur.
pose and was trying 20 catch Alec.
! supposed that I had only made a
beginning. but was mistaken. when
Alec and I met again he confessed 10
me that there had been an AFFAIR be-
tween hsm and Mlss Collingwood CT
whieh expressed great surprisel. but
that Il was ended. I kindly offered 10
gfve him my advice a. to the boss
method q dropping 4. The Illusion
had passed cut of him. ana nothing
could hiring n back.
when Mr.. kirk returned from NJ.