The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1917-08-17
"A / DipIom
Bent.
BY EDWARD S. sPiNNEY.


ciation.1
/ was tutoring a youth Of nineteen
had a fancy TO go abroad In the
diplomatic corps, but as | had no In.
fuence TO secure an appointment ]
kept my ambition TO myself. Ny 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. Els 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 be
seemed to enjoy my society IN prefer.
ence to that of young fellows of his
OWE age. lie 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
md tod him that l was empowered TO
forbid his attentions TO any woman.
Alec not only failed to trust the mat
ter 70 me. but told the woman who was
trying 10 snare him OF my charge. She
was smart enough 10 keep aloof from
me. and | cid not discover her or heI
object till | was informed of both by
the hOus keeper. | warned the house
keeper rot 10 divulge the fact that
knew of TAlt was going on. If
could sa<fHae boy would put bis
father u Obligations. Mr.. Kirk
had .s "a political lea ,i influence; 900,
opinion SIZE. supposing that knew
nothing OF their affair, consented
though reluctantly. was introduced
to Miss Martha Collingwood. q gee
twenty-eight. impecunious. passabl!
good looking and of a corGnlon family.
called on her with Alec and during
the call manifested a friendliness that
disarmed both But while extending
the olive branch l was sharpening the
sword. ! suggested that Miss Coliing
wood and Alec use the tennis court q
his home and even offered Il ne co1lt
dnd another girl to make up Il set VT
them myself. / had In mind MS
Gladys Eoyle, young Lady who hao
the faculty Of making che most rasp
Ing remarks with the most kindly pre-
tended intentions. knowing that there
Is nothing which will turn man from
a woman quicker than a feminine figb'
I hoped to use Miss Hoyle for the pur
pose of drawing out whatever of tel
per Miss Collingwood might possess
and inte1dcd that Alec should witness
the Scr;nmage.
We secured Miss Hoyle, and ! chos.
her for my partner. Miss Coliingwood
opened the game, serving IL me.
sent the ball back, and she returne'.
It. 1t dropped just within the line hd'
I pronounced 1t foul.
"That wasn't FOUL" said Miss Col
lingwood.
/ looked at my partner for support
Certainly 1t was," she said.
MY eyes must have deceiv ID me
said Miss Collingwood.
Some people can't play tennis u
ALL" returned Miss Hoyle. ''op accoun
of their eyes. l thought l saw somb
noticeable"
There was an ominous hwUh fron
Miss Collingwood She mace no re
ply. and the game went on. My ow1
game had opened auSpiciously. al6
fortune continued to favor me. Miss
Hoyle In volIe,iLy close to the net
sent the ball against Miss Colling-
woods nose. The latter dropped her
racket and caught trucking stream
Of blood IN Ter handkerchief.
You did that on purpose" she cried
casting a flashing glance at Miss
Hoyle.
You flatter me. II l could hit
mark like that Ia enter for a cham
pionship." replied Miss Hoyle.
Miss Collinewood was getting ready
FOR a rejoinder when | added TO her
ruflinc by asking IL she would pro
coed with the game.
II don't think she'd better" Miss
Hoyle put in, with that nose. tn be
all the colcrs 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 lie proposed 10 stop playing
Miss CoiliHrwood started for the house
% put cola water on her nose. Alec,
instead % accompanying her. found
occupation in gathering the balls and
raekets | whispered to him 10 take
Mss Hoyie home. She smilingly &c
cepted his Invitation IS the two
walked away Mss Collingvood turned
md dartcd fiery spark I saw her
home. adding fuel 10 the tame By tell
ing her that thought Miss Hoyle bad
sent the bail against her nose on pLr-
pose and was trying TO catch Alec
/ supposed that | had only made
beginning. out | was mistaken Wheu
Alec and met again he confessed 70
me that there had been an affair te
tween him and Miss Collingwood tat
which l expressed great surpriSel. bu'
that it was ended. I kindly offered &c
give him my advice as to the besi
method OF dropping 1t. The illusion
had passed out OF him, and nothing
could bring II back.