Evening star., 1925-03-01

was fiendishly trapped and the ter
ritory just beyond it was out of
bounds. Harkle. conservative for
once in his courageous career, used
iron and planted his ball in the mid
die of the fairway, a good 65 yards
short of the green, a perfect spot
for an easy approach. His young
opponent nonchalantly blazed away
with brassie. The savagely hit ball
flew low and true over the narrow
fairway to the small green, bounced,
slowed, rolled and came to a pre-
carious stop a few inches short of
the rough on the far edge.
That's the game" said Long Jim
Loughbred reverently as the gallery
applauded. THAT was his shot and
he played it."
Harkle put his approach 10 feet
from the pin, missed his putt by an
eyelash and was down in 2, for
par 5. MacClosky took for birdie
and the first days championship
work was at an end, with the red
headed youngster / stroke under the
title holder, and the next best man
in the field strokes away.
TITS between the pair of them
tomorrow, if they don't crack" said
Long Jim Loughborough, rising. It'll
be grand battle"
Come up to the clubhouse" said
Degan, earnestly. II want to have
a talk with you"
= :. x x
the wide veranda of the club
house, Degan fell prey to embarrass-
ment, from which the lanky old pro
made no effort to rescue him. AT
OF fol
irrelevant things, he collected his
courage and spoke abruptly Of the
matter that was on his mind
You knew MacClosky long before
he came to us, Loughborough," he
said. clearing his throat nervously.
Tell me about him"
gave him recommendation and
you people hired him." said Lough-
borough, coldly. i've got nothing to
add to that and nothing to subtract
from it."
Yes, yes, I know" said Degan, un-.
easily. but what 1 wanted to ask
you about was
He stopped speaking and got to his
feet. Loughborough, also rose. Mac
Closky was approaching, accompanied
by slim, blond girl in bright t-colored
sport things.
Great work, Red" Degan greeted
him, cordially. Were all mighty
proud of you" And then. to the tall
pro. This is my daughter, Louise,
Mr.. Loughborough. This is Long Jim
Loughborough, Kitten. He's the man
who taught Red how to make a golf
ball sit up on its hind legs and talk
French"
MacClosky grinned. IF anybody
could be taught to make a golf ball
sit up on its hind legs and talk
French, Long Jim is the man who
could do the teaching he declared.
Right back at you, Red" said
Loughborough "If anybody could be
taught to do that trick. you're the
one would have learned it,
The four chatted for few moments
and MacClosky and the girl moved on.
There goes the reason I'm asking
questions" said DeSan, frankly, when
the two were out of earshot. "A pro
for the club is one thing. a husband
for my daughter-well, that's some
thing else again. From all I've seen
since he came to us, I Judge him to
be a thoroughly decent sort of young
ster, and If he wins this champion
ship he'll be in line for some imme-
diate big money. Win or lose. he's
got the golf and the personality to
be sure OF a decent living
Loughborough smiled. Sounds as
though you were trying to sell him
to me as a son-in-law." he said dry
ly. IF l were in the market. I think
Id be tempted by your recommends
ton. Why not take it yourself and
be satisfied"
We'll - well what's his back
ground?' Degan asked Pm afraid
sound like a snob: but. after all. what
was his early life? Who were his
people? He's been pretty close
mouthed. and you're the only one I've
met who knew him before he came
to u.s.
Reds got a tongue in his head"
said Loughborough, gruffiy. IF he
wants to answer your questions he
can use il for that"
Degan sighed. II see," he said. 81
hope you understand my position. No
offense meant"
None TAKEN" said Loughborough,
rising. Il wish you the best of luck,
and the same to Red and your daugh-