The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-09-27
CHAPTER VI. GQSflN NiotO~


 about the landscape
 Across the valley immediately be- low the knoll on which the Cover nor's mansion stood was a somewhat more extensive. though not much higher hill. I could look all over Mill vile Manor. So I kept looking at the hill
 There was a bis ounga1ow-style house over there that interested me. I began to work out the details of the landscape and to compare them with the little I knew of the surrounding country. Millville's main street ran at right angles with the road by which had come to the Governors. Also it must run at right angles to the streets that ran lengthwise on tha. other ridge
 I counted the streets that crossed these and went ID the ridge I ha1 solved my problem.
 I left word with a servant I met in the hall that I would be back in the morning I took along some or the notes and some paper. I had a typewriter at my room in the board inghouse. If the inspiration should gice me an idea, I would be ready for it.
 It was three-quarters of mile to the trolley line that runs on Main street. I had figured that the six blocks at the other end of my journey could not be much shorter. I had to work out my schedule with due con sideration for a fivteen-m1nuJe trolley service.
 But I made it. It was exactly two minutes of four by my watch when l walked up the porch of that bunga- low. Really. I felt that I was present. able, too. The pressing had hidden that patched knee completely. Ana the frayed tie was gone, since I wore my shirt turned in to open up the throat.
 And there she sat, waiting for me, though she pretended to be surprised at seeing me so prompt. Of course she was in tennis rig herself. But she was a. queen. I thought had never seen a. tennis costume look so well. Likely enough I hadn't, I re- f1ected afterward, when I had sense enough to consider for 8 moment that her simple tennis rig would cost more than I could afford for an evening suit
 You scare me by being so prompt she told me. "It looks as If you really liked tennis well enough to be a player. I'm only fair at the game. But, please don't serve me ueW IopS Ol 1lSL DdllS uOL liAe being treated like a lady in tennis. I'd rather be beaten"
 Its two years since I had a racket in my hand" I confessed. T don't know whether I could put a dew-drop into the court"
 "Oh, if you play at all. you'll play well,' she said in a tone of resigna- tion. "I can't imagine your doing anything badly. I see my 1aurels fall ing all over the court
 She bade me select a racket from some fifty of them that adorned the walls of a sort of gymnasium adjoin- ing the courts. I picked one heavy enough for my size. She insisted on a toss-'1p to decide the courts, and then refused to let me take the sum ny one.
 No lady tennis please she re5oin- ed to my objections. T told you I don't like it."
 The first ball she sent over the net was sufficient reason why I would11' t play lady-tennis with her. There had been a time when I thought I could play tennis a bit; I had beaten some champions of good-sized suburban towns and all that stuff. But her first served ball took the heart out of me would have done 1t in my best ten his days.
 1IISIl l "ol t>S up. EoIN IlcN tOttt iIIS would do well at anything. It meant I had to beat her at the game. And that meant that, two years out of practice, I must start right off and play about twice as we'll as I ever played before
 Play? It wasn't play. It was hard labor, grim battle. When I got through a set with that girl I felt as if I would have to be created all
 
 there was a bone or muscle in me that didn't ache I don't know anato- my. There was an ache for all the achable things I know except my teeth.
 Beat her? Yes, I beat her. Don't ask me how. I don't know. I did it because she expected me to be able to do it, and I had to meet her ex- pectations.
 ally. I'm glad I met you. You're the first man who has beaten me in single tennis in a year,
 She was an angel all right; but her tennis was too diabolical1y much for me. I swayed as I walked-and trod on one of her white shod feet.
 "Oh, Alice" I cried. 'I beg your pardon. I-er-''
 You only stepped on my shoe. MT. Moore she replied with a remind full emphasis on the mister
 T beg your pardon, Miss-Miss-' I faltered.
 Well, you may call me Miss Alice. You. really don't know any other name for me, do your"
 'I really don't'' I acknowledged.
 tSplendid,' she cried to my utter amazement. Father said you didn't And you're not to know until you have finished your work for Will Ha1nm1l. Now, I suppose you'll not rest five minutes until you've found out who we are"
 My surprise made me forget my weariness for a moment.
 I'll bargain with you on that" I said I'll rest satisfied with plain Miss Alice, cross my heart and hope to die II try to find out any more names Tor you, if you will just call me Ned when you want me-
 She gave me a glance that almost yI1xr