Newtown, as already mentioned, was a summer resort. There were many fine summer homes, excellent bathing, a limited number of hotels, and a large population of fashionable summer visitors.
This year the tournament had excited more than ordinary interest because arranged wholly for women. Not a man was to take part in any event, though most of the teams were managed by relatives or family friends. That it was to be a bitter fight was evident from the activity of the preparations and the care with which the various minor officials had been chosen. A very large attendance was promised and it was believed that some future champions would be developed from the contest. This, as a matter of fact, was the fond hope of Jack Herrington, the manager, who had arranged this unusual tournament. One team from which much was expected was a club of girls from the summer colony, fashionable young women who had spent some years playing tennis.
This latter club consisted of four girls, just as did the Meadow-Brook entry. One pair was entered as “The Fifth Avenues,” the other as “The Riversides.” All their practising had been done on the private court belonging to one of the girls, so that no one outside of the few on the inside really knew what they were doing. Then there were other clubs from various parts of the State. One team from Portsmouth, the Scott Sisters, were known to be among the most expert tennis players in the ranks of the younger players, and among those who claimed to know, it was believed that the Scott Sisters were sure winners, provided the Fifth Avenues and the Riversides did not carry off the cup. There was just enough mystery in the entries of the latter to cause a great deal of speculation and arouse keen interest.
Jane McCarthy and her passengers arrived in Newtown at eleven o’clock in the forenoon of the day on which they had left home. Their arrival attracted no attention, for the girls were unknown to the residents of Newtown. Jane did not know where to go. Harriet called a halt and soon learned where the office of the manager was. They repaired there at once, only to find that he was out on the tennis field. They were directed how to get there and drove away in search of it.
The tennis field was located on the outskirts of the town in an open field. The nets were not yet in place, but men were working on the courts, packing these down with hand rollers in some instances, in others chalking out the lines, taking measurements, working on the covered stand where seats were held at high prices for such spectators as wished to be under cover and out of the direct rays of the sun. The girls were directed to the manager. They waited while Harriet went over to speak to him.
“So you are one of the Meadow-Brook Girls, eh?” he exclaimed, extending a cordial hand. “George Baker has told me all about you. You look as though you could give a good account of yourself.”
“Thank you.”
“Where are your friends?”
“In Miss McCarthy’s car yonder. We drove over from Meadow-Brook this morning. Do you know whether Mr. Baker has made our camp or not?”
“He has,” answered Herrington, regarding the brown-faced young woman keenly, pleased both with her manner and her apparently splendid condition.