460 
the strand magazine . 
TERRIFICALLY, SEKCINQ "I'M E BALLS TO MABEL** BACK MANT) ( MABEL 
C.AMK AFTER DEUCE- HAD 
Bott expressed the general sense of [ohri’s 
other guests, when he remarked ; — 
;t That fellow 'loonier is un-English ! ,5 
IV. 
At Wimbledon, in July, Mabel triumphed 
gloriously. She fought her way, smilingly, 
to the top of the tennis tree. She won the 
semi-final of the All Comers’ Ladies’ Singles. 
Bott and she were only barely defeated in 
the final of the Mixed Doubles. 
The great match for the All Comers 7 
followed, ft took place, of course, in the 
centre court, and attracted an immense 
crowd. John watched the sets from his 
seat in the competitors’ gallery. Mabel’s 
fame shed a reflected lustre upon him. 
Everybody talked tennis to him. Maidens, 
with the complexion and the Stride of an 
Indian chief, entreated his advice. One 
or two demanded his autograph ! When 
an eminent jurist asked him suddenly what 
he thought of the political situation, he 
replied : — 
“ ’Vantage, I think, to server ! }> 
Outwardly he was calm. But civil war 
waged within. He was more in love with his 
pretty wife than ever, and her conduct 
throughout the long tournament evoked his 
sincere respect and admiration. For her 
dear sake he prayed for victory ; for his own, 
he dared to adumbrate defeat. Victory 
meant a prolongation of purgatory for him, 
hut it would exalt her to the highest heaven. 
Defeated, Mabel might give a thought to the 
empty nursery. John ground his teeth with 
rage when he thought of Ar milage Court 
passing to his next of kin, whom he detested. 
