The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1915-05-07
A Diplomatic
Benz.
By EDWARD 5. sPlNNEY.

a
tfplomatic corps. but AS / had no In.
nueAce TO secure an appointment
kept my ambition to myself. My pupil,
Alec Kirk. should have been ready for
ecslege. but he was not and II was
my part 20 get him ready as soon as
possible. His father. after turning
him over 20 me. went 10 Europe. Be
fore leaving he gave me q single in
Etruction-vir:
Don't let any woman snare him
while am away
i made q companion OF Alec. and be
seemed 20 enjoy my society In prefer
enee TO that OF young fellows OF his
IN everything but one. A 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 10 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 diyulge the fact that |
knew OF what was going on. II
could save the boy l would put his
father under obligations Mr.. Kirk
bad great political influence.
Alec wished the lady to win my good
opinion. She. supposing that knew
nothing OF their affair. consented,
though reluctantly. l was introduced
to Miss Martha COllingwood. aged
twenty-eight. impecunious passably
good looking and Of a common family.
l called on her with Alec and during
the call manifested friendliness that
disarmed both. But while extending
the olive branch was sharpening the
sword. / suggested that Miss Coling-
wood and Alec use the tennis co1rt al
his home and even offered II we could
and another girl 10 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-
tended intentions. Knowing that there
IN nothing which will turn a 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 collinswood might possess
and intended that Alec should witness
the scrirnmage.
We secured Miss Hoyle. and chose
hsHpfor my partner. Miss Collingwood
spaned the game, serving to me.
sent the ball back, and she returned
H. II dropped tust within the line. but
I pronounced II foul.
That wasn't foul" said Miss Col
nzgvood.
I looked at my partner for support
Certainly Il was" sic said.
MY eyes must have deceived me-
said Miss Collingwood-
~Some people can't play tennis at
all" returned Miss Hcyle. 20 account
Of their eyes. / thought saw some
thing sniss with yours IT'S quite
noticeable
There was an ominous nanh 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 a trickling stream
OF blood In her handkerchief.
You did that on purpose she cried
casting a flashing glance at Miss
Hoyle-
you latter me II could hit
mark Ike that I'd enter for a cham
pionship." replied Miss Hoyle.
Miss Collingwood was getting ready
for a reJoinder when added to her
ruffing by asking II she would pro-
coed with the game.
Il don't think she'd better" Miss
Hoyle put in. with that nose. TIN be
all che eolors Of the rainbow tomor-
row. Ny advice Is raw beef"
'-Some people are offensive with
their advice" 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.
instead Of accompanying her. found
occupation in gathering the balls and
rsckets- whispered to him to TAXA
Miss Hoyle home. She smilingly ac-
eepted his invitation. As the two
walked away Miss Collingwood turned
and dartcd q fery spark saw her
home. adding fuel to the flame by tell
ing her that thought Miss Hoyle had
sent the ball against her nose on pur-
pose and was trying to catch Alec.
supposed that | had only made q
beginning, but I was mistaken. When
Alec and met again be confessed to
me that there had been an affair be.
tween him and Miss Collingwood (at
which I expressed great surprise). bu'
that II was ended kindly offered to
give him my advice as 20 the best
method OF dropping t. The Illusion
had passed out OF him. and nothing
could bring II back.
When Mr.. Kirk returned from Eu-
rope | made no mention OF bis sons