The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1910-04-01
A Diplomatic
Benz.
BY EDWARD S. sPINNEY.

q i had fancy 10 20 abroad i'm Il
: diplomatic corps. but as l had no Ii
. nuence 10 secure an appointment
kept my ambition 10 myself. My pup
Alec Kirk. should have been ready I,
college. but he was not, and IL wa
my part 10 get him ready as soon a
2 possible. His father. after turnin
/ him over 10 me. went TO Europe. b,
: fore leaving he gave me a single In
! struction-viz:
, Don't let any woman snare bin
while | am away"
| made a companion OF Alec and b.
seemed to enjoy my society in prefer
ence TO that OF young fellows OF hi
own age. He gave ME his confidence
In everything but one A woman
laid siege for him. and be did not tel
me. His father had lectured him be
fore going away on his susceptibility
and told him that was empowered Il
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
was smart enough 10 keep aloof from
me, 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. IL |
could save the boy | would put his
father under obligations. Mr.. Kirk
had great political influence.
I Alec wished the lady to win my good
7 nninfAn a..
nothing of their affair. consented.
though reluctantly. | was Introduced
10 Miss Martha Collingwuod. aged
twenty-eight. impecunious. passably
good looking and OF common family.
l called on her with Alec and during
the call manifested a 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 nj
his home aud even offered IL we could
find another girl TO make up a 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-
Is nothing which will turn man from
q 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 chose
her for my partner Miss Collingwood
opened the game serving TO me. i
sent the ball back and she returned
It 1t dropped inst within the line. but
j pronounced Il foul.
That wasn't foul" sail Miss Col.
lingwood.
1 looked at my partner for support.
Certainly II was" she said
"My eyes must have deceived me-
said Miss Collingwood.
Some people can't play tennis at
oil" returned Miss HOyle. "on account
Of their eyes | thought | saw some
hing amiss with yours Its quite
noticeable"
There was an ominous fash from
Miss Collingwood. She made no re-
ply. and the game went on. Ny own
,ame had opened ausp.ciously. and /,
'ortune continued TO favor me. Miss
doyle I'm volleying close TO the net
tent the ball against Miss Colling
woods nose. The latter dropped her
acket and caught a trickling stream
II blood in her handkerchief.
You did that on purpose" she cried
ACtiQR n flashing .1u
Ioyle.
You fiatter me IL could hit
mark like that I'd enter for a cham
ionship." replied Miss Hoyle.
Miss Collingwood was getting ready
or a rejoinder when added 10 her
uffiing by asking IL she would pro-
eed with the game.
Il don't think she'd better" Miss
ioyle put In, with that nose. tn be
II the colors OF the rainbow tomor-
DIV. My advice IS raw beef"
"Scme people are Offensive with
leir advice snapped the sufferer.
Pleasure had gone out Of the game
'r Alec. He proposed TO stop playing.
liss Collingwood started for the house
put cold water on her nose. Alec
lstead OF accompanying her. found
,cupation In gathering the balls and
lckets. whispered to HIN to take
iiss Hoyle home. She srdilingly nc
opted his Invitation. As the two
alked away Miss Collingwood turned
I'd dartcd fiery spark. saw her
)me. adding fuel to the flame by tell
& her that thought Miss HoyIe had
mt the ball against her nose on pur
'se and was trying to catch Alec.
supposed that I had only made a
out / was mistaken. When
&c and ! met again he confessed to
that there had been an affair be
zen him and Miss Collingwood 1at
lich | expressed great surprisel. but RI
nc II was ended. | kindly offered 10
re him my advice as 10 the best
sthod or dropping IT, The Illusion
q passed out Of him. and nothing
Md bring II back.
When Mr.. Kirk returned from En-.
,e ] made no mention Of his sons
ape. but he learned OF II and asked
about IT, | told him the story. at
J end Of which he said: r
You should be in the diplomatic -
'ps. The first requisite OF a dIplo-
Z Is absence OF conscience. Judgins
arfo Lea,