The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-08-20
CHAPTER I.


Gertrude .OBrien was the falrest OF
washington's fair women. He was
Meyerhasm, the great ball tosser OF
the home team. They stood In the con-
servatory of the villa De OBrien IN
fashionable quarter of New Hampshire
avenue. while the deepening shadows
of the March evening closed soberiy
yet softly around them. They Needed
not the perfume of those priceless
exotics which had cost Boru O'Brien SO
many doubloons: they were lost IN rhe
fragrance of deep, mutual love.
"When We are welded. dearest Ger
trude." he murmured. life with me
will be one perpetual home run.
The lovely girl blushed TO the tips OF
her shell-like ears.
And do you really love me. Meyer
hasm?" and her tones had soft COO
ing inshoot that set his soul aglow.
"If my heart Is not wholly yours.
ne said. "may l never get base on
balls again..
The lips of Gertrude O'Brien and her
lover met in long, clinglng KISS.
THAT was three-bagger. dearest.
ne said. smacking his lips following uhe
soft and dulcet etceremony, and his voice.
which was as the roar of lion TO the
tumultuous bleachers, was as gentle as
the note of a dove.
Let us go back To the parlor. love-
said Gertrude OBrien. .disengaging her
self from his embrace. "lt Is becoming
overdark in the conservatory ana Boru
O'Brien. my father. will call strikes on
our intimacy unless we conduct our
selves with circumspection.
CHAPTER II.
The chilly March evening made the
fire grateful. The two lovers sat in the
glow of the crate and read the happy
score card of the future in each others
eyes.
Yes, dearest. my affections have
been yours ever since you made that
drive to left field and brought in Two
runs and tied the score in last seasons
series with the Brooklyns." and she
nestled her beautiful head upon his
shoulder.
Il recall it," said Meyerhasm. mus
ingly his nubby. bunty fingers toying
with Gertrude's silken tresses. II made
second base"
Yes. and IL It hadn't been for that
provoking left fielder and his pickup
and throw to second. You would have
made a home run. How l hated the
wretch" and Gertrude O'Brfens eyes
flashed fire.
1T was a great stop and great
throw he made. though" observed
Meyerhasm, retrospectively. Il only
saved myself by slide"
'And you slid into the home plate OF
my heart, love" whispered the sweet
girl: and their lips met in another
three-bagger
CHAPTER III.
what was your batting average OF
last year," demanded Boru O'BNen.
sternly, when Meyerhasm sued for the
fair hand of his daughter Gertrude,
"and what's your standing as field
err"
Meyerhasm proudly exhibited the Gre
dentials craved. TheT were satisfac-
tory to Boru O'Brien.
'Bless you. my children" he said.
''bless you. Bless you. and play ball.
CHAPTER ".
1t was jocund June. The season was
only third played through. Wash
ington had put up sad and wretched
BALL The club stood a disgusting tenth
on the league list. Only such failures
as st. Louis and such utilities as Lou
isville ranked lower. As for the great
Meyerhasm. he had played yellow ball
from the first. Gertrude OiBrien's heart
was broken.
II will never marry now" said Ger
trude O'Brien, bursting into tears. Il
could never bear to have the world
point to my husband as one of an ag-
gregation of tail-enders.'
At last, however, her sorrow settled
into stony resentment.
CHAPTER v.
"All is over between u.s." observed
Gertrude O'Brien to Meyerhasm, when
the home club returned from its tour
Her tones We're cold and hard. Leave
me, false muffer; butter-fngered
wretch. Never dare to look upon my
face again."
Meyerhasm couldn't believe his ears
He laughed nervously, and attempted
to ravish kiss fromb her lips Of dew
She swiped him on his sun drowned
cheek with her open hand with force
enough to splinter bat, and evaded
the caress.
"villian! Don't try to steal base
on me- she said scornfully.' If you
attempt that again I'll make you think
that you've been struck by a pitched
ball"
Gertrude O'Brien stepped to a cabi-
net and. selecting catcher's mask
adjusted 1t to her beautiful counte-
nance.
Before I drive you from my pres
ence forever" she said. land now that
I'm safe from your loathsome endesr-
ments. I will ask you what excuse you
can make for your conduct?"
What conduct?" demanded Meyer
hasm. while his tone showed pain and
grieved amazement. when I left you
woman OF the marble heart, you de-
cIared You loved me. I return and am
told my dream Ia Ger Our fsn0a 90 m @ nj