The age-herald., 1900-01-14
M. M. M.
Ten Dollar Prize for Successful
 Guess

Guess
 The serial story begun Sunday, January B. 1900, under the above title will continue Through anuary February and March. The mystery of how the boys became possessed of, large amount of money and the name or the club, the initials only being used in the story, are to be guessed. Also any other facts necessary to the completion of the story. The one sending to The Young Folks Department of the Age4Ierald the most complete or nearest guess of the mys- fery and ending of the story will be award ed $1O In gold. If two guesses are equally correct the prize will be divided be- tween the two. The one making the next best guess will be awarded an entire set of Rudyard Klpling's works. The guess must be written out last chapter of story and sent in to this department between March 18th and 25th.
 CHAPTER II.
 Monday was an ideal day for field sport, and the boys were in excellent condition for the game. They had trained well for it and each was ready to exhibit some of his best playing.
 The Corcoran nine were older boys and had been so sure of success that they had not practiced so thoroughly as our friends. They were quite good players and under stood thoroughly the secrets of a splendid game. The challenge extended by the Ms" had been accepted in a half testing half se- rious fashion, all feeling it to be little beneath their dignity to engage in a contest with "kids," notwithstanding the well earned reputation of these particular ones The first base was almost wholly out of practice, but had been heard to remark sneeringly that 'the Corcorans could whip the Three Ms if they had not played ball in six months." The pitcher, also, was much in need of training, but was equally confident of winning
 hs It took but short time for all to see that the boastful Corcorans were not so certain of success.
 r The game was well matched for the real superiority of the Corcorans was balanced oy tne careful training of the ''Ms," with an aomlrable manager in Captain Jim and an unsurpassed pitcher in Fred who. dur Ang the entire contest, threw most superb curves. For a time the Corcorans seemed to play half in jest but, recognizing at last Hhat at the game Were won they must arouse and do better work, they redoubed thelr efforts. At the end of the fifth inning the score stood 2 and 9 but in the sixth lhhing tho Corcorans made four scores and Nne MS barely succeeded in winning one In the next two innings not a score was inade py either side, so at the beginning of the ninth inning it remained six for inc Cor corans and three for the Ms" The ax- citement became intense Deafeninp cheers from friends of either side pierced the air.
 The Corcorans. now perfectly confident of winning, came to the bat with the deter imitation to finish covered with glory. but Fred. seeing the crucial moment was at hand. that the game was now to be lost or won by his efforts, was ready for them.
 Ine corcoran captain came smilingly to the bat, but was famed out by Fred. The yn6 6 was caught by Big Bill. and the third man stepped to the bat Fred sent him three swift balls and the umpire called "side out"
 The Ms came to the bat amid vocifer ous shouts. which served to so confuse tha Corcoran pitcher that he gave to the first two men to the bat base on balls. The next knocked foul. which was caught Cantain Jim sent the ball to center field. which was caught out by the fielder. George knocked liner. which placed three men on bases Big Bill was next to the bat and with his usual strength sent the ball beyond any ex pesited limit. He made the home run and brought in three men. This made the score seven to six in favor of the "Ms" The next man famed and the game closed.
 sBruces friends. with terrific cheers for 'fRig Bill" mounted him upon their shoul- ders and bore him in triumph from the field
 The boys yelled themselves hoarse. threw flteir caps into the air and made other such wild demonstrations of delight. Flated as tfev were by their success they found it difficult to separate.
 Finally they succeeded in tearing them- selves apart and hastened to their several abodes. The college boys to spend the few remaining hours of the holiday with the dear home folks and the others to narrate an account of their triumph to sympa thetic ears.
 Jim had yet many things to discuss with his mother pertaining to the optional stud les for the-new term. for he was not only a leader in athletic sports but found it hard CT to accept the second place in his studies than to do so in the gymnasium or field He also had many admonitory charges for Dorothy concerning his pets and other pos sessions. while she lowered about him so- licftous for all that concerned hdm either at school or at home.
 These two were wonderfully devoted and were much grieved over the necessary sep aration Dorothy whispered to him that she verilv believed there was q still hope that father would permit her to enter college next fall and for him to do all he could to induce him to allow them to go to- geiher She was ambitious to accomplish
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