Evening star., 1932-08-21
BY W. BOYCE MORGAN.

court of the Longbrook Tennis Club,
driving shot after shot at the black
line on the wall that represented the
top of the net. Each time as the ball
~ rebounded sharply. he took 1t on his
backhand and as his racket sent it skimming
back to strike just above That olack mark
he felt glow of satisfaction
Never again would a weakness in his BACK
hand cheat him out OF title. Last year the
club had sent him to the State tourney, alter
he had won the boys championship OF the
city. and he had won his way to the semi
finals. But there his weakness proved dis
astrous and he went down to straight de-
feat before the boy who later won the title.
But this year. Johnny promised himself,
things would be different-prov1ded, OF course
that the club actually sent him to the state
tourney Even that was not yet decided 1or
the club was finding the financial going rather
hard along with all other organizations Inc
matter would have to be settled soon, for the
tournament was only two weeks away. Johnny
could only hope and rely on DR.. Jim Darrow
to use his influence with the club board
Johnny had ;ome to rely on Dr. Jim 1or
y almost everything. In fact, 1t was through
the young physician that he had actuaLy become
a tennis player at all. Two years before, ne
had been helping out his family by earning
small income as a ball boy at the club Dr.
Jim a recent graduate Of medical school, mao
started to practice in the city, and had joined
the club He was a real addition, for ne was
an excellent player, surpassed only Dy fTancS
Leighton, chairman Of the CLUB Doaro.
Johnny had first served as q DaH poy Ior
DIR. Jim quite by accident, but the young pny-
sician had liked him, and had engaged MS
services steadily thereafter. Up TO that time
Johnny had looked on tennis only as q means
of earning money, but he had picked up
few points about the game by Watching tne
good players, and he occasionally PiaSeu "i'Ai
the other ball boys.
But DR. Jim had started knocking the Daii
to him in practice, and had been impressed
by Johnnys agility in covering the court ana
his easy natural stroking He had taken tne
how in hand and begun to train him, ana
Johnny had soon become RAPID .en.iis en,
thisiast He had continued his work as
hall boy. but now almost every spare minute
was spent in practice.
Results had been apparent last year, when
he won the city boys title. And now II ne
could win the State title this year he would
have more than justified DR.. Jims commence
In him.
IN ICE hitting, Johnny A genial voice NJ
N terrupted the boys absorbed practicng.
and he turned around to return the smile OF
DR.. Jim.
"Its coming around" replied Johnny, deity
catching the ball and walking over to the
screen. ANY news ABOUT my CHaiCeo VI see-
ting to the tournament"
"Oh we'll put it over" said DR.. Jim con-
ndentIy "The only obstacle is Mr.. Leighton,
who thinks we shouldn't spend the money"
Johnnys eyes clouded. Il don't know why
MI Leighton doesn't like me-" he said In a
worried tone But he just doesn't seem to
have any use for me-"
Dr. Jim laughed. "I'll tell you secret
Johnny" he said in low voice. "The esti-
mable Mr. Leighton hasn't much use for any
body except himself-and his dear Julia, OF
course guess he has too much money. But
shouldn't talk that way, especially since SISSY
and have a match on with them this AFTER
nOon."
Johnny's face lit up. "You have?" he cried.
''That's great. I hope you trim them
I'm afraid that's too much to expect, ad-
mitted the doctor ruefully. We've never
beaten them yet, but there always has 70 pe
first time. Can you come over?"
"I should say sol" Johnny was out OF the
practice court and beside the doctor In an
instant. Sissy Darrow was just as popular with
Johnny as was her brother, and one OF his
greatest ambitions was to see this doubles team