The Washington times., 1914-08-29
Peters
AdUeHtNTRS
tn
MatrlmOnY
BY IEONA DALRYMPLE
Author of tho new novel. Diane of
the Green Van" awarded . prize
o. SO. 900 by Ida n TarbSn and
g. s. Mcclure e. 1udSSA
LN.
MAKING A FAN"
By IEONA DALRYMPLE


rLI<E baseball Mary doesn't
II Mary likes croquet. Heaven help
me, don't 1 can't for the life OF
/ me See any fun in knocking
wooden balls through an asirlne ser
les of wickets. Mary does.
Now, periodically. Mary and I, at
my suggestion, strive to adjust our
| selves to each others tastes. It's
usually after I've read some news
| paper article about wives and hus-
| bands drifting apart. So, in a malig-
nant attack of conscience. I have
i learned to play croquet. and summer
evenings 1 mildly follow Mary about
and thuInp at wooden balls. I never
hit them. My specially Is wrenching
out the wickets. This self-sacrifice of
Mary has tried to like something that
| I like.
! Peter" she said radiantly one
| bright, warm afternoon I'm going
to the ball game with you. I'm sure
I'll be able to understand the game after
a while. If you will explain it,
I expressed my willingness to try, and
We set forth.
1t was Saturday afternoon and the
Waverly club was playing a rival coun-
try club. Mary and I climbed to the
grand stand and she huttered prettily
into her seat with a quick glance all
around her. I gathered from her ra-
diant face that she looked better than
the other women near her. She usually
does
Now, don't forget. Peter she ex-
claimed sweetly, you must explain ev-
erything just as II happens
I sighed. Have you ever tried to ex-
plain a ball game to girl when things
are happening so fast and furious that
you just want to watch and whistle? I
shan't forget my experience with Mary
well. that's the plate I began
"A plate said Mary, puzzled Dear
me, you don't mean a platter TO carry
the ball on, do you? What else would
they do with a plate at a ball gamer"
y cynical old fan behind me MUIR
INJURED something about a plate and a
fowl and roasting the umpire. 1t
was a vile pun, and his companion ig-
nored it, save by a whispered admoni-
ton to shut up. which he didn't do.
Who" said Mary very firmly, is the
young man with the muzzle?'
Bill Schenck," said l.
Don't like his name" shifted Mary.
1T isn't really necessary that you
should l suggested. a little annoyed.
He plays good ball without"
The game went forward. l patiently
explained in simple language as much
as | could. Mary nodded sweetly and
graciously. but l could see that she was
concentrating only upon the details that
interested her. Those details were
usually not the technical points of the
ball suits. the pulchritude (or lack OF
it, of the players. and the hats of the
women about her.
Great Scott" I exclaimed at the mid
die of the fourth inning. Miles stole
third
Who" said Mary. What was it.
Peter? I wasn't looking. Horrid thief:
Third base" said I: uncomfortao bly,
conscious that the cynical old fan be-
hind me was enjoying himself.
What" cried Mary with some ex-
element, will they do without it,
Peter. Can the game go on? Why
thought Miles would do such a thing"
Mary" l Kissed desperately, for
heavens sake. shut up! All the men
around are laughing at us
Let them laugh" said Mary, but she
flushed and tossed her head.
''Pcter.' she whispered presently. |
'the-the umpires terribly handsome.
wonder why he takes such terrible |
chances there behind the bat with tina |
face" II" might easily ruin his lOoXs |
forever. Couldn't he stand in the !
rand stand"
Baseball. take il. requires a certain |
brain groove. DO women have it? !
Copyright. 1914. Newspaper Feature Service !