The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1902-10-05

for positions and found himself at thA
start in the midst of the bunch, with
no chance to do anything but keen
along in the crowd. Before the first
quarter was finished, too, his leg be-
gan to pain him badly and under the
strain was beginning to bleed again
He gripped the cOrks in his hand a
little tighter and kept right on.
It's only another quarter and only
minute more" he said to himself. 81
can and will stand it for a minute"
He increased his speed a little and
began to draw out of the bunch.
once clear of the crowd, he could
take in the situation, as he had not
been able to do before. There were
still some half-dozen men ahead of
him, one leading the rest by ten or a
dozen yards, Ned fixed his look on
the leader and noted at once that he
wore blue jersey. That meant that
Yale was going to win that race and
the championship. How fearfully far
ahead he looked! And it was the back
stretch of the last quarter! How could
he hope to catch him?
Just then sharp staccato cheer, end
ing in the long-drawn "Y-a-l-e," came
ringing across the field, triumphant
and encouraging. The blue jersey re-
sponded like a blooded horse Another
thoroughbred responded to that cry.
too; but this one bore a rival color. not
only on his breast, but pretty plenti-
fully sprinkled all over him, for Neds
cut was now bleeding a steady stream.
But cuts and bruises counted for
nothing now Win he would, or die
trying. The seconds seemed like hours.
there was a roaring in his ears, and he
could scarcely feel his feet touching
the ground. He saw nothing in the
world but that blue jersey, nearer now.
slowly but surely nearer.
They swing around into the home
stretch. The goal is only a hundred
yards away, and nobody ahead Of him
but that blue jersey. Cheers and Shouts
of encouragement rise in a wild roar
only little farther now Ned can
almost touch that blue jersey, but can
he pass it in time? The world is grow
ing black before his eyes. His strength
is gone, but he keeps on running, sus-
tanned by courage alone.
Suddenly comes booming down that
steady, full-lunged "'Rah, 'rah, 'rah!
'Rah, 'rah, rah! 'Rah, 'rah rah, Har-
vard!"
To the straining athletes ears it is
like the music of the gods, for he
knows that it is for him. With one
last effort he hurls his weary body for
ward and feels the tape break across
iiAo VI cast DIS lie luis exhausted ana
all but senseless into the friendly arms
stretched out to catch him.
moment later a surging crowd of
wildly elated college mates would nave
raised him in triumph on their Shout
ders, but were warned back by those
who were holding Ned in their arms.
Get back, fellows, won't you? He's
hurt"
At these words a gentleman with
white, anxious face came hurrying
through the crowd in the wake OF
Charlie Witherspoon, whose broad
shoulders plowed a way with a skill
born of experience.
The doctor dropped down by Neds
side.
Its his father" explained Wither-
spoon shortly, and the young fellows
drew back respectfully.
What is it, Ned?"
Ned opened his eyes with a wan but
glad smile.
why, dear old dad, it's nothing. A
horse cut my leg, that's all. I'll be all
right in little while. And, Daddy" in
a glad whisper, Il did it after all.
didn't r."
The doctor chances fondly at his boy
but says nothing, although he Is
prouder than ever of his only son, for
ne knows that he has won something
worth many races