The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-05-18

fnsssis carried ths coffin. Tlsey we're All
strangers 70 Kent, and their ciothes
gave obvious testimony OF city origin.
Half q dozen other men, and three
women, heavily veiied, followed. Kent
thrust his glass into his pocket and
lifted his rod again. BY the time the
clergyman had begun the service Kent
was close to the obstructing fence. He
could hear the faint, solemn murmur
OF the words. Then came the lower
ing Of the. casket. The onlooker mark
ed the black and silver sumptuoufs-
nes$ of 1t, and thought OF the rough
hemlock box that enclosed the anony-
nous body In Annalaka churchyard.
And. as his ny met the water, he
smiled a little, grim. wry smile.
1t was over soon. Tho black clad
paused to glance with curiosity at
the roughly clad angler making his
way UP stream. For Kent judged II
wise to absent himself now, foreseeing
the advent OF one keener-eyed than
the mourners whose scrutiny ne did
not desire to tempt. Shortly Gensett
Jim came to the grave. Hastily and
carelessiy ne pitched in the earth,
tramped ft down. and returned. Car
riages rolled to the door of Hedgerow
House. and rolled away again, carry
ing the mourners to their train. Not
until then did Kent snug up his tackle
and take the road.
No sooner had he reached the hotel
and changed into dry clothes than he
made haste to the Nook. and thus ad-
dressed Sedgwick. Now I'm your
man for that tennis match"
Kent, / don't like your looks" OBJ
served his friend. remarking the scien-
fists troubled eyes.
Don't you? Where are the imple-
ments of warfare"
Here they are" said the other. pro-
ducing rackets and balls. you look
to me done up"
well, the great game is always
something of gamble, and being
money, Is likely to get on ones
nerves"
THE great gamer" repeated Sedg-
wick inquiringly. giving the words
Kent's own emphasis.
Yes. The greatest of all games.
You know the Klpling verse, don't
you?
eco stalk the red deer Der the
Ride, Follow the fox If you can!
But for pleasure and profit together
Afford me the hunting of Man."
so we're handwriting, then, to-
night" said the artist quickly.
Far from it, replied Kent, with
fervency. Lets drop the subject for
the time being. won't your I've had
a morning none too pleasant to look
back on, and I've got an evening COM
ing none too pleasant to look forward
to. Therefore. / shall probably give
you the licking of your life on the
tennis court"
AS to the evening" began sedg-
wick. while I'm
Frank" cried Kent. there's a
query trying to disiodge itself from
Don't let it,"
"Why?'
Because at one single question
from you I'll either bat you over the
head with this racket or burst into
soba It's "a toss-up. which p He
threw the implement in the air
Trough or smooth ?" he called
Kent played as he worked, with
concentration and tenacity, backing ur
technical skill. Against hts dogged
attack. Sedgwtck's Enthusiastically
more brilliant game was unavaiiing,
though the contest was not so uneven
but that both were sweating hard as
at the conclusion of the third set, they
sought a breathing space on the ter
raced bank back of the court
That's certainly a good nerve sed-
ative," said the artist, breathing hard
and not such rotten tennis for two
aged relics OF better days, like our
selves"
Not SO bad by any means" agreed
HIS opponent cheerfully. If YOU had
stuck to lobhing, I think you'd have
had me, In the second set Wonder
how our spectator enjoyed IT," he
added, lowering his voice.
What spectator? There's no one
here but ourselves"
"Oh. / think there is. Don't be
abrupt about it, but just take a look
at that lilac copse on the crest OF
the hill"
Cant see any one there" said
SedgNfck,
"No more can t.
Then what makes you think there's
any one ?"
THE traditional little bird told me, y
Mean. specifically ?"
Literally what / say There's the
bird on that young willow. You can
see for yourself it's trying 10 impar'