The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1898-01-06


eclipsed now by the flash of crimson
and as the "Rah, 'rah, 'rah. Harvard!
rent the air, Kathleen Duer started up
then dropped back in her seat, shame'
faced and abashed, the blue nag railing
from her nerveless fingers.
AS it has been since the memory o1
man, Yale won the toss and took the
wind. Time after time Harvard's backs
carried the ball up the Field, only to
lose it and have it kicked back.
Her attention between the field and tht
patronizing assurance at her side that
all was going we'll we'll for u.s." she
ignored her neighbors on the other SIDE
1t was not until that happening of the
unexpected, that brilliant punt against
the wind, when a red flag sprang def
antly into being beside her, that she
recognized in the cheerful voice the on
that had initiated her into the myster'
les Of football and taught her how tc
cheer for Harvard.
You! On the Yale side!" she ex-
claimed, and he answered.
Yes. Miss Duer, but wearing the
right colors." They had not exchanged
another word, but she had taken time
to glance carelessly around him and
note that beyond were nothing but
men.
1t was when the ball was at Yale'e
fifteen-yard line and Yale putting uT
her gallant defense that Kathleen Duei
felt hand on her arm and shaking II
off Indignantly, turned to see Mr.. For
rester holding a handkerchief to his
face.
IF you don't mind coming out" he
was saying incoherently, behind its
folds. "I'm very sorry, but I'm afraid
We must CO."
Go! Are you sick?"
'Its only my nose-I'm subject tc
them-I'm very sorry, but perhaps we
can come back" his voice was growing
more indistinct, and he was trying tc
move away.
No, certainly, I'm not going; I'll stay
and"
May take charge of Miss Duer fol
you, Mr.. Forester" said her neigh
Dor, leaning forward, adding with the
acuteness of born lawyer: 1T would
make you rather conspicuous to have
her go out, wouldn't it? And you'll
be back in minute"
Mr.. Forester hesitated. 1t was hard
on the girl to leave her with, of all
people in the world, that inane young
idiot Grant. But a hasty retreat was
necessary; the boy was civil enough,
and it would be unbearable to be stared
at while he pushed through the crowd
at such a moment. He nodded and
vanished.
Then two pairs of young eyes met,
full of defiance, challenged each other,
wavered and fell. The shout rose again
swelling into an absolute roar. The
ball was at Yale's four-yard line!
Kathleen's flag unfurled itself like
lightning, but it was as quickly snatch
ed from her hand and in its place was
Donald's own. Then, had there been
any one at leisure to look at her,
might have been seen a blue-bedecked
girl standing on the seat, steadying
herself with one hand on Donald
Grants shoulder, waving a crimson
flag like mad, and shouting Harvard"
with all the force and music of her
fresh young voice.
Il feel as If l had done it ALL" she
almost sobbed, turning to Donald with
tears in her eyes as well as her voice.
Her blue flag was nowhere to be seen,
the gloves were rolled into hard little
ball, the poor innocent violets trodden
under foot, her hand was on his arm,
his eyes looking down into hers.
You darling!" he whispered, as they
struggled through the crowd, making
it his excuse for clasping the little bare,
cold hand and feeling as ii they were
all alone in the world, instead of being
in the midst of 2,400 disgusted people,
going home in the blank disappoint-
ment of tied game.
By the time Miss Duer and her es:
cort had reached the gate they had for
gotten that they had ever had other
companions than at the present mo-
ment. Mr.. Forester, making vain ef-
forts to reach the seat where he had
every reason to suppose his fair charge
was awaiting him, and Donald's uncle
and cousin, with whom he was to dine
had alike ceased toeXist 1t was dark
when they boarded blissfully crowd
ed car; there are unlimited opportuni-
ties for confidential conversation when
packed like eardines in an overloaded
electric.
Kathleen cannot yet understand how
it all came about. There were broken
words, good deal about unworthiness
a little about poverty some more-but
now from the other side-about un-
worthiness; then little bursts of ectasy
interspersed with absolutely unneeded
explanations.
The coming home took 60 little time
and it had seemed so far to go! Har-
ward had not won, and when they re.
membered to think of that they griev.
ed; but one Harvard man had won, ant
in all the wide world there was nc
room for grief.
Poor old duffer!" Donald said, "I'm
sorry for him-r'-but Kathleen in
terrupted cheerfully.
That's the very reason you needn'
be sorry for him, Don. If he were
young it would be different, but he's
so dreadfully old that he must have
fq,s., To-, =, 90