The Kalispell bee. [volume] (Kalispell, Mont.) 1900-192?, 1901-12-18

had ever played on Valley school
Then, how the team had responded
when he had given the signals, always
like clockwork, with a smoothness
and precision that got the ball in play
so rapidly and behind such perfect
interference that the unbroken list OF
J victories was, after all, a result to
be expected. And now to have that
list marrei by defeat, and at the
hands of Millville, their keenest rival.
His muscles frightened at the thought
of the grim pleasure of the struggle.
No, Black could not handle the team
He had never grasped the signals
as he should. and he lacked conf
dence. He could not pass the ball
with the necessary accuracy, either,
although in this respect he was much
better than Anderson, the other Sub
Well, Valley school would be defeat.
ed at last, and he might have guild
ed the team to victory. And what
would Mile Barr think? She had
been very nice about it, and quite
agreed that he should go home at
this time. But she must have been
fearfully disappointed. Well, per.
haps she did not MUD so much, after
all. Some other fellow would take
her He gritted his teeth as he
thought of that. Then, perhaps, she
would not mind so much if the fell
lows of Valley school were beaten.
No, of course not; girls did not have
that school spirit that made the
coming game bound the whole hori-
zon for him. Girls could not make
such sacrifices as he would make, if
he only could, just to run that team
the way he had before, to hammer
at the opposing line until a weak spot
could be found; to send the ends
down the field like lightning on the
heels Of long, low point; to skirt
the opposing ends behind perfect in.
terference and run SO yards to a
touchdown; perhaps-to-but what
was the use of thinking about it? It
was all behind him now, and getting
further away with every minutes
fight of the rushing train. He was
glad he had left it all. He would
see Dad soon! Old Dad! How hard
he must be working, with all those
annoying, squalling little wretches,
sick. all over the town. He must
be lonesome, there all by himself.
Yes. he was glad he was going to see
Dad. and let the school rage if it
wanted to. What was school COM
pared to Dad, anyway?
| Charlie uoc rC,,yoI frov~, l.;.
study by the brakeman's roar of
'Barbridge!" in his ear. He had to
change cars here. He descended to
the station platform and stood wait
ing for the other train, when the tele-
graph operator tapped him on the
shoulder "Mr. Charles TOWN." he
asked. Charlie nodded and was hand
ed telegram. wait where you are"
he read. will reach Barbridge at
eleven five" His fathers name was
signed to the message, and looking
up at his watch Charlie found that
he had but three minutes to wait
He paced the platform impatiently,
trying to guess the cause Of this very
unusual request, until the train came
in. His father sprang from the plat
form of the smoker and came to meet
him with beaming face.
Il thought would catch you, boy"
he said. II wired to four places on
the line to be sure of you. want
to see you win that game for Valley
school" Charles heart swelled
with sudden joy, SO keen that he
could not speak; then sank again.
Il don't believe I can get back in
time he faltered. 1T takes four
hours from here, you know, and
there's no train for an hour, and the
game begins at g."
NONSENSE" said his father. "In
with them to delay matters, and you
know no contest ever comes off on
time, anyhow" When they reached
the academy town they found the
streets deserted. "Eeveryone is at
the field" said Charlie. Hear that?"
A faint gust of cheering came from
the grounds, half a mile away.
Valley school had grim visions of
defeat. The first half had closed
with a score of to 0 in Millville's
favor. The enemy had slowly, Stub
bornly advanced the ball the length
OF the field for a touchdown, after
smashing the choicest trick plays Of
Valley Schools eleven. A goal had
followed. The home team was not
pulling together The players did
not get off well at the signals. The
ball was not put in play properly.
Fumbles were frequent. Their pet
play. a bluff right end run. a delayed
pass, and then a mass on left tackle.
had resulted in a loss every time it
had been tried. Their confidence
was gone. Still their defensive game
was excellent. Time after time there
had been individual plays of the
most sensational order, yet they
could not aGvance tbs hall. Millville
hao slowly but surely wcII them out,
driven them back and ever back to-
ward their goal line, then past it, and