Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1924-10-19

hooking him 1t hadn't occurred to
him before that Lucy's eyes were
capable of rlockery. He had chiefly
observed them concentrated on Il
golf ball They were not so large
as Pegsy's. They were cool and
gray. They certainly had never dis
turbed him before. But now there
was challenge in them.
Play with ne from scratch next
Saturday. will you. and have fight
on your hands," he found himself
asking.
rs there another mixed roursomc
next Saturday,
so they say"
Lucy reflected on the matter Il
don't want to take you away from
Peggy"
Dash it, will you play with me: :"
the Emperor blurted.
Dash it. l Will said Lucy, and
her mockery OF him he found sud
d. My delightful.
He and Lucy practiced four times
together that coming week, while
Mrs. Penhallow sat serenely on the
veranda and read. They played all
Is holes. without any dalliance under
the willows.
They Won the tournament Of Sta
urday by one stroke, thanks to n
]
on the home green. 1t had been a
glorious afternoon of real golf. Peggy
! had not even been on the course.
When it was over, the Emperor took
Lucy home in his runabout. Her hands
lay in her lap. The backs were tan
ned brown. They were firm, strong
hands. The Emperor took one of his
suddenly from the wheel. and touched
them.
Lucy looked at him gravely, as
she placed his hand back on the
wheel. Last week you were holding
PeggyS hand, no doubt. And now you
try to hold mine
Then, quite suddenly, the Emperor
had a revelation. This desire for Peg
gy that had SO troubled hint
wasn't really for Peggy. 1t was for
a mate. He knew well neough that
Peggy was no mate for him. She was
foolishly feminine; she was capri
cious, shallow, silly. Lucy was differ
ent. She was sensible. But she had
never before excited him. Now she did.
He took his hand off the wheel again,
and got hold of one of hers.
"If you struggle, we'll go into the
ditch" he said.
Lucy 1aughed-nervousIy. TT
don't know what to make of you" she
said.
Make a happy man of me-" he
answered. Let me come to see you
tonight"
at might be simpler if you stayed
to dinner" she replied. But she got
her hand away.
\ + * s:
THE following Wednesday the En-
peror and Lucy had gone off for
a tramp in the woods. The professor
without any Of his week end cronies
to play with, had resorted to a soli-
tary practice round. Mrs, Penhallow
sat upon the club veranda with the
London Mercury.
The professor, rather bored by his
lonely practice, reached a point where
the shade Of the willows and the
river bank invited him. He picked up
his ball, and sought the pleasant Sc
clusion. But as he dropped below a
fringe of bushes, he was aware of
someone there ahead Of him. 1t was
Peggy. She had been sitting with ell
bows on sknees and her pretty chin
in her hands. Now she looked up at
him, startled, but with a quick smile.
Professor Penhallow smiled back. He
had a very nice and quizzical smile.
May ! sit here, too, by your river,
a moment, and get cool?" he asked.
Peggy nodded. He sat down at her
side.
.Did you too get tired of practic-
ing?" he inquired.
me? Practice?' she laughed. Il
hate golf!"
You do? But I saw you playing
with Gussie only q week or two ago."
That was because he likes it," she
answered. Its a silly game. Why
do all you men take It so seriously"
"Why do we take anything seri-
ously?" the professor said.
I'm sure l don't know" she replied,
and threw a stick into the water.
They were both silent for a con-
siderable time. Then the professor
suddenly asked: why did you give
Gussie up SO easily?
Peggy turned startled eyes to his
face. How do you know I gave him
up?' she demanded. You speak as
II I had him once, and as II wanted
to keep him"
"Didn't your The professors voice
was gentle.
ooh, what's the use?" Peggy flung
out. you all think I'm a silly flap
per. Well, i am! I know it I can't
pull a long face and go plugging
around after a white pill all day and
never crack q smile. l can't get ex-
cited over doing anything serious.
IL just want to live"
I'VE all want to do that, Peggy. But
| some people hnd sa&isfaction out OF
living ono way, some out OF another.
What I think you really mean Is that
you are only 49,"
I'm ~" she cut in -