BOWLING.

Otaki Mail, 8 December 1922, Page 4

BOWLING.

A FASCINATING GAME. The bowler, like an old war-horse, sniffs the battle from afar. Each day that has gone by since the shortest day has been a milestone passed on the road to Glorious Spring, the happy-' eyed. The rose may put forth its buds, but he'll never see the bloom. A baby may be born in his house, but he’ll never know it's got a tooth till the season is over. Bowls to him is all. Wife, children or wealth are as nought to him who has been bitten by the Bug Bowleritis. The game -is on. Mother will do the gardening, chop the morning wood and clean the fowlhousc. She would also mow the lawn, if the mower were not too hard for her to shove. After tea he rushes off for a game and plays until lie cannot see the divot. It is not a game. It is an excuse. And it is only because women are unorganised that such state of things continues. One bowler had a hard lesson. He was newly married to a tender-hearted young lady—a woman made to be petted and loved, a creature so sensitive that a stern look made her shrink and falter. She did not know he was a bowler, but when October came she learned. At first it was just Saturday afternoon and three nights a week, but soon it was every night. She was too timorous to complain, but soon the roses left her checks. Then came a cough and when he came.home from his bowls her coughing would keep him awake. wish to goodness you’d get sonic medicine for that cold,” he said savagely one night. Meekly she promised, but next night when he came home for tea- he found her lying on the couch, her face flush cd and her breathing uneven and fast. He hurried home as soon as it was too late to play and helped her to bed. In the morning she was still ill, and as soon as he arrived at his office he Tang up for the doctor to call. He had lunch in town to save her getting a hot dinner for him and in the afternon he found himself continually thinking of her. In fact, by three o’clock he was thinking more of her than of his bowls. He thought of their -marriage day. of how beautiful and wonderful she seemed to him, of how he had promised to care for her. ‘‘l've been a brute,” he said sadly. ‘‘l have deserted her these last few months. How lonely she must have been.” He got off early and rushed home. With heart almost stopping lie opened the door, and found her sitting by tho fire. He kissed her again and again. Then his eyes fell on the clock. ‘‘By jovel ” he said, grabbing his hat. ‘‘l’ve just got time for a game before tea. ’ ’