The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1909-12-24
A Diplo mario
Benz.
BY EDWARD S. sPlNNEy.

! NNiN NY Aluminium w lily stll. MY pup
Alec Kirk. should have been ready 70
college. but he was not, and Il wa
my part 10 get him ready as soon n
possible. His father. after turninl
him over 10 me. went 10 Europe BE
fore leaving he gave me single in
structlon-viz:
Don't let any woman snare hin
while | am away"
/ made a companion OF Alec. and h,
seemed TO enjoy my society in prefer
ence to that OF young fellows Of bis
own age. He gave me his confidence
In everything but one. A woman
laid siege for him. and he did not tel
me. His father had lcctured him be
fore going away on his susceptibility
and told him that ! was empowered 10
forbid his attentions TO any woman n.
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
was smart enough to keep aIoof from
sme. and | did not discover her or her
object till | was informed of both by
the housekeeper. | warned the house
keeper not TO divulge the fact that !
knew Of what was going on. If /
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 surprising that / knew
nothing OF their affair. consented.
though reluctantly. was Introduced
TO Miss Martha Collingwood, aged
twenty-eight, inpecunious, passably
good looking and of a common family.
| called on her with Alec and during
the call manifested friendiness that
disarmed both. But while extending
the olive branch I was sharpening the
sword. ] suggested that Miss Collinsg-
wood and Alec use the tennis court at
his home and even offered II we could
find another girl TO make up a set with
them myself / had I'm mind Miss
Gladys Hoyle, young lady who had
the faculty Of making the most rssp-
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 10 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. aud / chose |
her for my partner. Miss Collingwood
opened the game serving to me ! |
sent the ball back. aad she returned
It. II dropped just Within the line. bur !
pronounced 1t foul
THAT wasn't foul" SAIL Miss Col |
haywood
l looked M my partner for support
Certainly IL was" she said
My eyes must have deceived me-
aid Miss Collin@wuod
Some people can't play tennis at
H." returned Miss IIoylc. ION account
Il their eyes. | thought | saw some
hing amiss with yours It's quite
There was an ominous fash from
Hiss Colingwood She made 40 re-
'ly. and the game went on. My own
anne had opened auspiciously. and
ortune continued to favor me. Miss
loyle in volleying close to the net
ent the ball against Miss Colllng-
ToOd's nose. The latter dropped her
acket and caught a trickllng stream
I blood in her handkerchief.
You did hat on purpose" she cried
asting flashing glance Mt Miss
Ioyle.
You natter me. II could hit n
lark like that I'd enter for a cham
lonship," replied Miss Hoyle.
Miss Collingwood was getting ready
Or a Iejoinder when added to her
ifiiing by asking II she would pro-
eed with the game.
II don't think she'd better" Miss
Ioyle put I'm, with that nose It'll be
u the colors Of the rainbow tomor-
Nv. My advice is raw beef"
Some people are offensive with
leir advice" snapped the sufferer.
Pleasure had gone out OF the game
n Alec. lie proposed to stop playing. :
ISIS Collingwood started for the house
put cold water on her nose. Alec.
stead OF accompanying her. found
cupation In gathering the balls and
ckets. | whispered TO hun to take
ISIS Hoyle home. She suiillngly ne.
'pted his invitation. AS the two
alked away Miss Colllngwood turned
ID dartcd a fiery spark. saw her
me. adding fuel 10 the flame by tell.
z her that | thought Miss Hoyle had
mt the ball against her nose on pur.
se and was trying TO catch Alec.
supposed that ! had only made n
out was mistaken. when
&c and met again he confessed to
that there had been an affair be-.
cen him and Miss Collingwood at
iich | expressed great surprise). but
at Il was ended. kindly offered to
re him my advice as to the best
'thod Of dropping II. The Illusion
d passed out Of him, and nothing
nld bring IL back.
When Mr.. Kirk returned from En-.
DC | made no mention OF his sons
ape. but he learned Of IL and asked
about II. told him the story. M