The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1923-06-07


irregularity of surface seemed to de- |
fleet it; it caught the corner Of the |
hole, swung round inside and came out
again. 1t rested on the very edge, and |
we stood there waiting. Nothing, how |
ever, happened. Michael turned away. |
and fancied that I saw a little CULVER |
upon his lips.
At the eighteenth, a strong wind
was against them. Norman, pulling a
little, escaped the bunkers; but
Michael. hitting a far better ball,
| carried them with a few yards to
| spare. Norman played a fine second
and reached the green four or five
yards from the hole. When Michael
| reached his ball I saw him stop and
| look at it. His servant gave an ex-
clamation. 1t was lying where a huge
| clod of earth had been knocked away
| by some beginner and never re-
placed, without blade OF grass
around 1t, and on a downward slope.
I looked across toward my hus-
band.
1T isn't fair" whispered hoarsely.
Move 1t with your foot. Norman
can't see. Besides. I'm in. the way"
Michael, who was choosing a club.
| just. glanced up at me for a moment,
and I felt as though I had said some
| thing sacrilegious.
I'VE don't play games that way"
he rejoined quietly. II am afraid
this is going to be rather forlorn
hope. though"
He took a nibhck. and against the
wind he was only able to get about
half way to the green. This time,
however. his ball was lying we'll
81 play the odd" he murmured,
as he selected a running-up cIeek. We
waited breathlessly for the shot. Nor
mans caddy and<Michael's servant,
although they had no idea. of course,
of the significance of the match. had
gathered from our tense air that it
was of no ordinary interest. We all
watched AIichael's ball, when at last
he played it, speu-bound 1t was low
shot, beautifully straight for the flag,
and could scarcely keep back a little
cry of JOY when I saw it land on the
green and run slowly two or three
yards past the hole.
"A fine recovery" Norman said
thickly. My turn now to play the
like"
He took his putter and my heart
sank as I saw him strike the ball
well and firmly. For a moment it
seemed as though he had holed it and
the match was over. 1t came to a
standstill about eighteen inches short.
This for a half" Michael remarked
as he went toward his bail.
I saw him half close his eyes as
he took up his stance and I won
dered for q moment what he was
thinking of. He took the line care
fully and struck the ball straight for
the back Of the hole. I gave a little
gasp. It seemed as though the half
were assured. Then a cry Of dismay
from Michaers caddy startled me. The
ball. although it had seemed to hit
the back of the hole, spun around and
came out again. Again 1t lay within
a foot or so Of the hole. Michael
stood quite still, looking at it.
Norman took out his putter, and l
scarcely dared to watch. He was only
a few inches from the hole. The re-
suit seemed certain.
This for the match" he said. look
ing across at his opponent.
For the match" Michael repeated
hopelessly.
Norman struck the ball with a little
stab-and I could scarcely believe my
eyes. 1t missed the hole, passing it
on the left-hand side and coming to
| a standstill at least two feet away.
Norman looked down at the ground
| in puzzled manner.
| This is the rottenest green on the
course" he muttered. Whose play,
caddy?"
The caddy considered the matter for
a moment and pointed to Michael.
| This time there was no mistake. The
ball went well and truly to the bottom
of the hole. Norman again surprised
me. He studied his ridiculous little
putt with exaggerated care, brushed
away some fancied impediment and
reproved his caddy sharply for talk
ing. When he hit the ball, he hit it
crisply enough, but again with that
little stab which drew it once more to
the wrong side Of the hole There
was little murTnur
81 never saw such filthy putting in
my lifeT' Norman exclaimed, looking
exactly Ike a normal man who has
lost an important match by a mo-
nent's carelessness. Your match,
Monsieur Benisande. I think perhaps
you deserved. You had all the worst
of the luck until my putting paralysis
set in"
Michael took off his hat, and saw
great beads of perspiration upon his
forehead.
81 am thankful for my win" he
said quietly "but scarcely expect
ed it."
Janet and I will leave ST. Jean de
Luz at once" Norman announced.
1T will not be necessary" Michael
rejoined quickly. Tomorrow l start
for the mountains. I shall be gone
for week or more. I beg that you
will not hurry your departure May I
speak to you for a moment. JANET"
Norman made his way, without re-
| mark. to the clubhouse. He neither
spoke to nor looked toward Michael
again. Men are strange beings. This
was the passing of the teud which
left them both forsworn
I spared Michael the question
which knew was upon his lips.
Beatrice is WELL" told him. "She
il still unmarried"
II am sorry to hear that she is I'M
married" he said, although no man