The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-01-17
EUening Story
One Down, Two to Play.
BY FREDERICK HART.

Marion Collins, all her friends
agreed, was a thoroly nice girl. They
even added that she was one of
the prettiest girls they knew. Thus
far nothing but praise. but when the
subject of golf came up they merely
shook their heads and changed the
subject. For, if the truth must be
told, Marion was not golf player.
She had joined the Country club with
all the enthusiasm of her twenty-five
years and bought new land shiny
set OF clubs and many, many balls.
but clubs and balls do not make
golfer. She was Is one of her friends
pat it. ''as wild as mountain scenery
Her drives went almost anywhere eX-
cept where she wanted them to go.
Her approaches were never near the
cup, and her putting was fearful and
wonderful to behold. But in spite of
all this Marion stuck at the royal and
ancient game like a Trojan. If per-
sistence could have accomplished it
she would have been national cham
pion.
Alas. as many would-be golfers will
rise to testify, it takes more than per-
sistence TO make a player. Marion
at least she beautified with her pres
ence. if she did not dignity it with
her game.
The practice tee at the Country
club to which Marion belonged was
well off the course. amply far enough
to let the widest duffer practice for
all he was worth without unduly i'm
perling the lives and limbs of men,
bers who were playing, but the dis
lance was not so great that-well,
this is what happened.
"Ye haze a fine swing-a fine
swing!'' said Andrew MacAndrew. the
professional, as he took Marion on for
her daily instructions. "A bonnie.
sweet swing-if ye'd ever hit the bar
Professionals are a privileged class.
MOO, try it again, an this time keep
yer ee on the ba'; dinna look at the
hole, time enough for that when ye're
somewhere inside hittin' distance.
Moo. slow back. dinna press, keep
yer e'e on the -"
Marion's pet driver described a
flashing double arc; there was puff
of sand. a sharp click and the ball
sped away-a low-flying ball. fast and
true. with all the~power of Marion's
slim young arms behind it; but. hor-
ror of horrorsi exactly at right angles
with the intended course and with q
vicious slice to help it's misdirection.
A wall of agony came from MacAn-
drew; it was the worst ball driven
from the practice tee that year. Thea
his agony changed to CONSERVATION.
| for out from behind some low bushes
| on the tenth fairway, which was par
young man in modish tweeds squarely
into the path of the flying pail.
Fore" beloved Andrew MacAn-
drew. and Fore" exchoed Marion.
but too late. The young man turned
to, dodge but the ball struck him. He
threw up his hands, spun half aroun1
and fell like a log.
Any One who has ever been hit by
golf ball win substant:ate the state
ment that it is no joke. There was
real horror in Andrew MacAndrew's
face as he ran toward the PROSTATE
victim, and Marion was white with
fear. The young man lay without
moving. The two stopped over him,
to be Joined i'll d moment by the
young mans caddie. and the three
between them managed to turn him
on his back. HIS eyes were closed,
but at the movement they opened.
"What-where-wh he said.
'A ba'." replied the literal MacAn-
| drew. "a ba'-an the head. most like
this young LADY,"
"Oh. how can I ever apologize ?"
cried Marion. I'm dreadfully sorry.
I just couldn't help tim going to
stop golf forever"
The young man struggled to sit
| ting posture.
please don't stop on my account
he begged earnestly. Accidents will
| happen: there isn't golfer living
that's straight all the time"
I NO" mourned Marion. but there S
one golfer living that's crooked all the
time and that's me! I'm going to
| stop the game"
The young man appeared interested.
eff what you say is true I'm glad to
have made your acquaintance" he said,
because 1 thought i was the only liv-
/ ing person who was never on the
course. Most people. you know. are
straight sometimes. ] never am. Isn't
that true, Mr.. MacAndrew?H
MacAndrew. recalled to the present
/ by this question, made haste to pour
! oil on the waters in his own peculiar
way.
Its quite true. Miss Collins" he
said hastily. This young man plays
worse than you do. Tho" he added
to soothe the sting of his remark. Il
wadna think such a thing possible
my stars What am l sayin'?