The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1913-09-12
A Dipio
Benz.

BY EDWARD S. sPlNNEY.

i had fancy 10 go abroad In the
diplomatic corps, but as / had no in
fiuence TO secure an appointment
kept my ambition 10 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 a single in
struction--viz:
"Don,t let any woman snare him
while l 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. lie gave me his confidence
I'm 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 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 | 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. II
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. I wassintroduced
to Miss Martha Collingwood, aged
twenty-eight, impecunlous, passably
good looking and Of a common family.
I called on her with Alec and during
the call manifested q friendliness that
disarmed both. But while extending
the olive branch was sharpening the
sword. | suggested that MisssC olling-
wood and Alec use the tennis court st
J his home AID even offered If we could
find another girl to make up set with
them myself. had I'm mind Miss
Gladys Hoyle, 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
q woman quicker than a feminine fight,
I hoped to use Miss Hoyle for the pur-
pose Of drawing out whatever of ten
per Miss Collingwood might possess
and intended that Alec should witness
, the scrimmage.
We secured Miss Hoyle, and I chose
hensfor' my partner. Miss Collingw5od
opened the game, serving to me. j
sent the ball back, and she returned
1t. 1t dropped just within the line. but
pronounced 1t foul.
"That wasn't FOUL" said Miss Col
D lingwood.
1 looked at my partner for support
certainly 1t was" she said.
"My eyes must have deceived me"
said Miss Collingwood.
"Some people can't play tennis at
8 ALL" returned Miss Hoyle, ION account
a Of their eyes. / thought 1 sawasone-
: 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 trickling stream
Of blood in her handkerchief.
"Vou did that on purpose" she cried
casting a flashing glance at Miss
Hoyle.
you fatter me. II 1 could hit 6
mark like that I'd enter for a cham
pionship," replied Miss Hoyle.
Miss Collingwood was getting ready
for a rejoinder when 1 added to hel
ruffiing by asking If she would pro
coed with the game.
az don't think she'd better" Miss
Hoyle put In, with that nose. It'll bt
all the colors OF the rainbow tomor
row. My advice is raw beef"
"Some people are offensive witt
their advicey' 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
n instead OF accompanying her, fouDs
occupation in gathering the balls and
q rackets. 1 whispered to him TO TAX
q Miss Hoyle home. She Smilingly &C
copied his invitation AS the tive
walked away Miss Collingwood turned
and darted a fiery spark. l saw he
home, adding fuel to the fame by tel
ing her that l thought Miss Hoyle haC
sent the ball against her nose on pur
pose and was trying to catch Alec.
/ supposed that l had only made
beginning, but was mistaken. Whel
Alec and l met again he confessed Z
me that there had been an affair be
tween him and Miss Collingwood Ga
which 1 expressed great surprise), bu
that II was ended. / kindly offered t
give him ny advice as to the bes
method OF dropping 1T. The illusio
had passed out of him, and nothin
could bring II back.
When Mr.. Kirk returned from Er
rope I made no mention Of his SON