The Dayton forum. [volume] (Dayton, Ohio) 1913-1949, 1937-11-19
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JANET DORIAN

under shade trees, watching the a,-
pfoaching thunder storm ais liinply SO
they watched the finish Of the tourna-
ment.
Burgess Lang teed UP, crouched mo-
ment. figuring the lie. Mike stood back
aloofly silent. This was the test. This
flung things whichever way they must
20. Burgess grasped bis iron, his short.
thick fingers closing around the handle
In the grip old jock McWha had taught
him so long age in Scotland The club
swept up. came down in sure, sweet
arc and connected with the ball. The
handful of gallery sighed. That settled
It, Even Mike Hess. even the thrice
champion OF champions could not touch
that
Mike squared OF. He did no figuring.
He took no time out 10 estinlate dis
tance or figure timing He debated no
instant over balls or club. Hs simply
reached into the bag, picked up club,
dropped the ball to the ground and
stepped back.
TSEN seconds later the ball rolled to 3
: slowing arc, up to the pin, paused dra-
matically at the edge and rolled in. The
echoing roar OF acclaim from the gallery
was smothered In a splitting crash of
thunder and drops as big as quarters
began scattering The tournament was
over and Mike had won--Won and lost.
Won the game. but lost the girl OF his
heart by besting her father.
The last photographer was gone and
the last reporter. Rain fiirted against
the windowpanes In the snug little cot
tage, and thunder nluttered disgrunted
departure over far-distant Berkshire
crag. The tournament was over and
Summer was ended Mike yanked out
his luggage kit and began throwing
things into III. Victory had turned to
salt and ashes In his mouth. Salt OF
regret and ashes of despair.
The door banged open and rain-
coated figure tugged at huge SOU
wester. Connie stood dripping on the
best red rug the club board had ever
given the pros living room.
Mike she said in still. small voice.
Il came to th-thank you. It was
swell Of you
1T was nothing" Mike said gruffiy,
his fingers twisting and rolling a freshly
latrndered white shirt to the consistency
Of floor mop. glad to do it for you.
Connie
she was having difficulty with the
clips fastening her raincoat, and he
stepped forward to assist The faint
drift of perfume from her hair was tor
nlent and he resisted the impulse to
wipe away the rairdrops jeWeling her
eyebrows with savage determination
Not that-not again. He'd fallen by that
course once too often.
II was glad to have some one take my
father down a peg o. two" she answered
calmly "All I've ever heard since / was
knee-high to a puddle duck was how he
learned to play the game at St AM
drew's, and therefore we must assume
that his prowess had gilt-edged sacred
superiority over any American version.
knew you could beat him, Mike.
Knew" Mike said sharply. What
do you mean, Connie?'
Il mean she said simply, 1T was the
only way could get you into that tour
nament and make you beat him. Mrs.
Cranler has been failing for ages, Mike.
Weeks ago we knew about how long she
could last. And Dad made that ruling
against pros playing It was my gang
that Wangled the proxy clause In the
rales and they had to let 1t ride"
TIME door shivered under knock that
- was almost thunder and Mike knew
his doom waited without. His arm slid
around Comics shoulders and the lean
fingers OF one hand closed on her arm
as they faced the door.
Come in" Mike said quietly. Burgess
Lang stamped in, shedding rain Ike q
Newfoundland goose.
"HarrrumpI," said Burgess fustily.
Game over to congratulate you, young
man. And to ask you to join us In q
little game tomorrow"
Sorry, STR" Mike said quietly; "Tm
leaving tomorrow. Got to look for a
job"
"Job2 Job?s Burgess snapped. Didn't
Connie tell your Want you In my or
ganization. Want any man who thinks
with logic instead OF his emotions. Think
you could sell my line Need man
whose sense Of fairness Is straight and
square. You played fine game, young
man." It was the nearest Burgess Lang
could ever come to acknowledging de-
feat, but it meant more to Mike and
Connie, who knew him. than all the
accolade of praise from easier and more
articulate declarations
"I-I forgot, Mike" Connie stan1-
mered, Il guess s. / was SO glad to be
here, / plain forgot ali about Dads
Offer
"Hunph," snorted the old man geni-
ally, well, got to be on Playing Gus
Whalen for the bridge stakes tonight
See you get my girl In early, young man
And no nonsensel'
I will, sir-and thank you'll" Mike
gulped. But he had no time to say any
thing further. The door had closed and
Connie had crept into his arms and they
were off on their favorite diversion
battling This time over Howard Cranaer.