The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1915-08-20
A DipIo mofic
Bent.
Bent.
o-Eo..o+o+o-fo.+o-+o+o+O+o.
BY EDWARD S. spINNEY.

cistionl
l was tutoring youth OF nineteen.
I had a fancy TO go abroad in the
diplomatic corps, but as l had no In
fuence to secure an appointment
kept my ambition to myself. Ny pupil
Alec Kirk, should have been ready for
college, but be was not, and Il 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 be gave me a single in
struction-viz:
Don't let any woman snare him
while I 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. He gave me his confidence
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 l was empowered TO
forbid his attentions to any woman.
Alec not only failed 70 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 aioof from
me, and did not discover her or her
object till l was informed of both by
the housekeeper. / warned the house
keeper not TO divulge the fact that !
knew of what was going on. If |
could save the boy 1 would put his
father under obligations. Mr. Kirk
had great political influence.
Alec wished the lady to wiz my good
opinion. She, supposing tnat I knew
nothing of their affair, consented,
thouah reluctantly. i was introduced
TO Miss Martha Collingwood, aged
twenty-eight, impecunious, passably
good looking and Of a common family
the call manifested a friendliness that
disarmed BOTH But while extending
the olive branch | was sharpening the
sword. l suggested that Miss Coll1ng-
wood and Alec use the tennis court at
his home and even offered IL we could
find another girl to make up 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
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 tenn
per Miss Collingwood might possess
and intended that Alec should witness
the scrimmage.
We secured Miss Hoyle, and chose
heE-for my partner. Miss Collingwood
opened the game, serving to me.
sent the ball back, and she returned
1t. 1t dropped just within the line. but
l pronounced 1t foul.
THAT wasn't foul" said Miss Col
lingwood.
looked at my partner for support
Certainly it was" she said.
"My eyes must have deceived me-"
said Miss Collingwood.
Some people can't play tennis at
ALL" returned Miss Hoyle, ION account
Of their eyes. 1 thought saw some
thing amiss with yours. It's quite
noticeable"
There was en- 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 a trickling stream
Of blood in her handkerchief
you did that on purpose" she cried,
casting n flashing glance at Miss
Hoyle.
You flatter me. If 1 could hit a
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 her
rufling by asking II she would pro-
coed with the game.
Il don't think she'd better" Miss
! Hoyle put in, with that nose. It'll be
all the colors Of the rainbow tomor-
row. My 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
rackets. l whispered to him to take
Miss Hoyle home She smilingly ac-
cepted his invitation. AS the two
walked away Miss COllingwood turned
and dartcd a fiery spark l saw her
home, adding fuel to the fame 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
beginning. out / was mistaken. When
Alec and l met again be confessed to
me that there had been an affair be-
tween him and Miss Collingwood tat
which 1 expressed great surprise). but
that 1t was ended / kindly offered to
give him my advice as to the best
method OF dropping t. TIE Illusion
had passed out Of him. and nothing