Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1935-03-03
first in :7<e90 Series Of cAd0entmes Of
General Besseley, Genial Semh Of c11onte Carlo
and Most Lo0able Character Ever Created by
F.. PHILLIPS OPPENHEIM

Tuesday night? As you know. only entertain
on very small scale. My physician insists
that too many agreeable people excite me.
have young American coming. however, who
I think would interest you. and if you
are able to join us, it would give me great
pleasure"
II should be delighted, Besserley assented
He passed on into the bar, which was still
crowded, resumed his seat at his favorite
table and, after giving the matter due con-
sideration, ordered another cocktail. A friend
who joined him glanced down the room.
That's good-looking young fellow talking
to Merton. the tennis secretary" he re-
marked. Know who he isl''
II believe" Besserley replied. that his
name is Benton - Guy Benton"
Looks like a polo player. 1t seems to me
that there was Benton at Meadowbrook.
II don't know much about him, Besseriey
observed, but believe that he is supposed
to be something Of a sportsman"
As matter of fact, Besserley was soon to
find out. The tennis secretary rose and. fol-
lowed by his companion, came to the table.
mr.. Benton here has brought me some
letters over from New York" he announced.
q
serious tennis player. but he likes game or
two every day when he is on holiday. Have
you any time to spare, Cenerall"
Besserley looked at the man who was con-
fronting him with slightly expectant smile
upon his lips. Benton was not quite 50 young
as he had seemed at distance. but he carried
himself we'll, and his features were excellent,
although his mouth was trifie grim.
II am afraid you would be too good for me-"
Besserley remarked.
I'VE might try" the other suggested.
This afternoon at fourl"
There was something about the tennis that
afternoon which Besserley never altogether
forgot. The first two sets were played in sound
but restrained fashion good second class
stuff with each giving his opponent the idea
that he was keeping little up his sleeve. In
the third set Besserley. from the first, had the
best of the luck. Suddenly Bonton seemed to
recognize the fact that he was in danger Of
defeat Besserley. who was enjoying the game
without attributing any particular Importance
to it, could not fail to notice the change in the
man. Those brilliant, almost overkeen eyes
seemed to become points of fire. His jaw
stiffened, his mouth became a straight line
He had changed into a Robot-like athlete
from whom all humanity had departed. He
swept Besserley's returns into impossible
places, served like man consumed with
silent fury, balls which, it seemed to Besserley,
no known player could have dealt with. Grad
ually the game became level. passing to forty
thirty in Bonton's favor and was finished off
by serve which was practically unplayable.
"You have given me all the exercise want
for one day, General" Benton remarked.
when he had won.
Besserley smiled as they strolled off towards
the bar together.
Every good game" was his laoonic COM
ment.
Twice before Besserley had dined at the
somewhat appropriately named Chateau des
Nnages, built some thousand years ago by the
SeigneU of Peille. Nothing seemed to be
changed. There was the same magnificent
dining-room. the same gold plate, priceless
glass, SeWes china and profusion of dropping
orchids. The tapestries which hung upon the
walls might have been there for hundred
years. The servants who waited at table,
pale-faced and deft-handed, were clad in the
livery of the Middle Ages. Prince Martinez
himself wore his usual black velvet coat and
black opal links The food and wine were. as
Copyright 1885, by