The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-08-05
Eoening Story
A Love Set.
BY FREDERICK HART.

asked Mrs. Maria Johnson regarding
the athletic set-up figure of their
summer boarder as lie walked across
the lawn in front of the comfortable
ODD farmhouse. THE young mans
taking Carrie out to teach her to play
tennis"
Mr. johnson looked up from the
farm cataIog he was perusing and
grunted. which was as near as he ever
came to making a direct reply to any
question of his wife's Undis-
couraged, she continued:
"'Taint right, in my mind, for him
to fill the girls head with a lot O.
highfalutin' city nonsense. Tennis!
Why, the girl don't know nothin' at
all about it, an first thing you know
she'll be settin' herself up like a regu@
lar debbytant like we read about in
the papers. Why don't you say some
thin Jobia ?" This last to her spouse.
exasperated at his apparent lack of
attention.
Thus admonished, Mr.. Jobiah John
son put down the catalOg with a re-
gretful sigh and betook himself to
speech.
Il don't sees it's goin to do her
any harm to get little knowledge O
"'Sides, that there boarder of ourn
8 a real Hkable young Teller You let
them young 'uns alone, Maria; faint
no harm goin' to come out O. Mary
playin' with him. You jest let 'em
alone"
Mrs. johnson could think of no
adequate reply. so she contented her
sell with a sniff. which expressed a
world of doubt of the correctness of
her husbands judgment. But a
glance at the two young people show
ed that they were decorously batting
suspicious actions, so she was forced
to conclude that, for once, her hus-
band was right
Meanwhile. out on the sunny stretch
of grass near the orchard fence the
young man and "our Mary" continued
to bat the innocent ball back and
forth. 1t was Mary's first experience
with a tennis racquet, and she dis
played charming awkwardness.
They had neither net nor lines but
what did they care? Mary had caught
eagerly at the handsome youths sug
gestion that she learn a little about
the game. and he. on his part, was by
no means averse to take the chance to
talk to her that his tutelage offered.
He had been at Cold Springs farm
for four seasons, and during that time
he had seen Mary grow from a shy
youngster of fifteen to a charming
creature who might well catch the
eye of any young man, let alone a
youth of Edgar Clark's discrimination.
And he. in his turn, was not one to
be passed lightly by. Tall, Sunbrown-
ed, handsome. he was a youth to be
looked at more than once, and many
maidens of his acquaintance had look
ed at him several times. But it re-
manned for Mary to capture his heart
-altho he hadn't told her yet For
in ho Of
Not only was he afraid of Mary,
with her bright eyes and ripping
brown hair, but of her mother. Mrs.
johnson had all the conventional sus-
spicion of the city man and tho he
had striven with might and main to
make himself popular with her, he
had TO acknowledge that she still re-
garded him with nothing more than
tolerance. The tennis idea had been
an inspiration on his part Mary had
shown desire to learn the game and
he had been quick to seize the oppor-
tunity of cireumventing the maternal
supervision.
Mary, tho clumsy at first, showed
remarkable aptitude for the game,
and Edgar soon found himself regret
for them to play on. An idea sudden
~ presented itself to him.
Mary" he said, why don't you
get your mother to let you come over
to the Country club with me some
afternoon and practice? You are good
enough now to play a regular game
but we have no court here. and 1 want
you to have the experience of playing
with the net and lines. What do you
say"
''Oh, I'm afraid mother never would
let me go. She-she doesn't want me
to be with you so much"
blush and averted eyes accom-
panied these last words.
Edgar's heart leaped. In her ad-
mission that her mother did not ap-
prove of their companionship he
found an indication that Mary herself
did not altogether disapprove. He
pressed his point.
Perhaps your father would drive
us over" he suggested. Its not very
far, and surely he's as good a chaperon
as one could find. Do ask him to-
night and see what he thinks"
Mary waited till after dinner and
then approached her father on the
subject What she said and what he
said were never known, but bright and
early the next morning the buggy was
and secretly thrilled Edgar sat de-
murely beside Mr.. Jobiah johnson as
they started for the Country club.
on the courts Mary blossomed out
into really brilliant player. The
lines bothered her at first but she
soon became accustomed to them
You're a natural player, Mary" said |
Edgar. You play as tho you were
born with a racket in your hand Now
wen practice for another haIf-hour, /
and then have lunch; and after lunch
I'm going to play a full set with you"
During lunch Mr.. Johnson an
that he thought he would go
down to the village to buy little /
truck for your ma" as he PIT it. I
Mary looked surprised, but Edgar was /
secretly delighted. Mr.. johnson de-
parted, promising to return early
The set began Edgar, of course. |
had no difficulty in winning game /
after game. and soon the score be- |
came five-love in his favor. As they
passed each other to change courts |
for the next game Mary said defiantiy, i
I'm going to beat you this game
I'll L.