Evening star., 1922-12-25
CHAPTER MI.

CHAPTER MI.
lie Breton did not run after the
girl. He watched her go, with a feel
ing that he could afford to bide his
time But at 6 O'Clock the next morn
ing he was round at the hotel waiting
for Pansy to come for her usual ride.
However. thre was no sign of her.
either that morning or the following.
In fact. it was not until the after
noon of the second day that he saw
anything of her.
\ tennis tournament was taking
place at the hotel. LIE Breton went,
feeling sure Pansy would be there.
and incidentally, to find out what
Capt. Cameron. the local tennis
champion, was like.
He saw a fresh faced youngster,
decidedly better looking than the rest
of the men there but too much like
the girl herself ever to be able to
hold her.
Then he looked for Pansy.
She was seated with a group of
acquaintances, awaiting her turn on
the courts.
On seeing I.e Breton. she vouch-
safed him smile and a nod. but no
further attention.
Aftert'a three days tournament,
Cameron emerged victor, but lie
with Pansy. Whenever he came with
in speaking distance she edged away,
taking cover behind someone. To
catch her was like setting a trap to
catch moonbeam.
At the end Of the tournament word
went round that a rank outsider had
challenged the victor.
"Who is it, Bob?" Pansy asked when
the news reached her.
Cameron pointed with his racket
across the court, to where lie Breton
stood, in panama hat and gray fan
nels.
That big chap over there" he said.
Hes got a nerve, hasn't he?"
"And did you accept?" Pansy asked.
"Of course I did. I couldn't let that
sort of cheek pass"
Other people had heard what was
happening. An interested crowd col
lected around the court. For word had
gone round that the naan who had
challenged the English champion was
Raoul lie Breton, the French million
aire.
Capt. Cameron had not been long on
the court before he discovered he had
met his equal, II not his superior.
With long, 1.-THE movement LIE
Breton was all over the ground, SEEM
ingly unhurried. but always there at
the right moment. making his oppo-
nent's play look like a heated scram-
BILE. But lie Breton's serving was his
great point: a lightning stroke that
gave no hint as to where the ball
would land: sometimes it was just
over the net: sometimes Just within
the furtherlnost limits of the court.
Cameron was beaten: a beating he
took with a boyish smile, as he con-
graduated the winner.
Others crowded round I-e Breton,
anxious to add their quota to the
praise.
When the crowd dispersed Pansy
approached him, as he stood cool and
dignifled, despite the strenuous game.
You never told me you could play
tennis" she remarked.
There are lots of things about my
self I haven't told you." he replied
dryly;
mustn't rouse my curiosity and then
not satisfy it,"
You needn't worry. shall tell you
some day" he answered.
AS Pansy talked to him she played
battledore and shuttlecock with her
racket and ball.
when will that day be?' she asked
"The sooner. the better. It's bad for
my health to be kept in a state Of In
quisitive suspense"
"The sooner the better will suit me
admirably" he said. For shall tell
YOU when we are-married."
Pansy just stared at HIM
"Then I shall never hear" she said,
when she had recovered her breath.
For 1 shall never get married. Never.
At least, not before I'm forty
There was a brief pause.
why are you avoiding mer' he
asked presently.
What stupid thing to sayi
Aren't here talking to you now"
with q whole crowd Of people
round, yes"