Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-08-26

| directed to write to the manager Of the Es-
| sex club. accepting their challenge and Of
| fering choice of dates.
The beaming delight with which he
hoped away his crutches to begin his
duties at once more than repaid those VINO
had elected him for their unselfiShness.
Only Elton Parker looked about him with
frowniRg brows. He had twice been passed
over, and he was very angry.
CHAPTER Ill
The Fight.
Tap. tap, came the sound Of crutch on
the Browns piazza. Little Charlie called
to the boys studying in the long. cool sit
ting room:
Here's the secretary and treasurer Of the
Ellens, fellers!'
I've collected all the money but yours.
called Lem as he sat down on bench.
Hand over. I'm the great American Dun!
Bert came out, laughing.
You're a terrible fellow" he jeered.
How little will you take? Can't you give
long to the Ellens, even II we don't ah
play and Baby Malcolm is working over.
time as a mascot. Do take something of.
THE only rebate you'll get is when you
go fishing in the river and rebait your hook.
Pay up. you beggars," demanded Len, Win
a ferocious bang Of his crutch.
''oh. what toke!' groaned Jim. Fay
him quick. Bert, before he does again
while Horace pretended to faint in the
hammock.
Len giggled as he put the money Into a
big pocketbook he had borrowed OK MS
father I'm better worth robbing than
! I ever was before" he said. every mem,
| Der has paid up now. and I've got IL AL
| here"
Iation. IT guess I'll walk home with YOU
| I hope you haven't been displaying your
| ill-gotten gains" He spoke rather seri-
| ously.
mo one but you knows I have it. 1 carry
it in this pocket. seer" He displayed the
| inside pocket Of his coat. III give 1t TO
| father to keep for me until Saturday. and
| then I'll put it in here. and go the short
| cut through the woods down to the store,
pay for the suits. and take the rest to the
| station to buy the tickets to Essex I've
got it all planned. finished Len content
eddy. =, .,
| A step on the path made them al turn.
They had been SO much ABSORBED IN Len
| pocket that they had not heard Elton
| Parker come in the gate. 1t was little
| feeling of distrust. born on the day OF FL
tons attack on Johnny on the ball Held.
| that made Bert motion to Len to put up
| the money, as he greeted the newcomer.
| Though Elton had seen and heard every
thing relating to the pocket. he did not
\ mesftfon-it.
is johnny here7" he asked. touch Of
| surljness in his demeanor. III we are go
ing to Essex on Saturday it seems to me
HWhy. weren't you on the field yester-
day." asked Jim Johnny told us all the
| news, and Len, here, read us the letters
| II haven't seen any letters" answered
Elton, most unreasonably angry. why
| should you wait till I'm out of the way
| before you talk things over. Aes an III
| suit, that's what it Is"
| Johnny's whistle interrupted them. and
the captain raced up the path and flung
| himself on top Of Horace tn the hammock.
Elton turned to him instantly.
| .sWbv on earth can't you keep the CluD
| posted? ] demand that I'm told OF things
| in time 10 make my arrangements
| Johnny's eyes opened wide at this attack.
rs my hair standing on end?" he asked
Of Bert In a stage whisper stimulating
great terror Johnny's hair would have
| had to uncurl a good deal before 1t stood
WHY. Elt," he went on good-naturedly.
at told the fellows all know about the
game at Essex suppose that's what you
are driving atom Friday ~, weren't you
there or didn't some one tell your
You know perfectly well I wasn't there"
stormed Elton IT'S just one OF your
sneaking tricks to walt until wasn't and
then transact all the business. I"
Here, hold up" cried Bert, but the other
was too angry to be stayed
II want you to tell me this instant, when
| we go, where and how. when our suits will
| be done and everything you know about it.
| I've a right to know. and I'm sick of your
treatment Of me. you sneaking country
jay" at, IT..
| ly, but his gray eyes had apparently turned
black .Ill tell you exactly what you want
| to know Now, you want to listen. We go
to Essex on Wednesday by the 1928 train.
There Is no other. as you probably know.
Our suits are to be done on Wednesday
morning, not before. Every fellow Is to go
down to the shop get his uniform and wear
it to the train. We are all to be there hf-
teen minutes before train time. Is there
anything else?"
Johnny was fully head shorter than Ell
! ton, who was fifteen, but as he stood there.
looking straight up into Eltons face, his
GOODNESS so enraged the older boy that with
| the fat Of his hand he suddenly slapped
Johnny's rosy cheek.
Johnny jumped as quickly as cat There
was a struggle, but before the others could
interfere Elton was thrown heavily on the
gravel path, and Johnny stood upright.
painting. but still calm
who flew out to the fallen Joe. Jean dis
| liked Elton, but when q girl has to be sister
| to a whole block Of boys she learns to
be impartial.
"You bad boy" she called to Johnny as
| she few past and he looked rather abashed.
Jean tried to lift Elton's head. but he sat
| up alone pushing away her hand with such
| force that she uttered a cry OF pain and
| caught that hand In the other. looking at
| him with wet, astonished eyes. Then Bert
| and Jim had to hold Johnny. while Elton
| struggled to his feet and walked on. Only
| Jean heard a mutter-'Didn't mean to hurt
you''-as he went.
NOW. please. tell fellow how you did
| thatr' demanded Jim. when Johnny was
l pacffied by Jeans assuring him she was
| not severely injured.
"3iu-jtsu,' answered Johnny. briefly.
"Where'd you learn asked Bert. much
| impressed.
my uncle, whose folks live in Pinetop
| served as an ofacer in the japanese navy
| when they fought China. When he came
| home he brought Jap servant with him.
and he taught me. It's easy" finished
Johnny. .'but hate to touch one Of the
| fellows hope he wasn't hurt"
IT hope he WAS" said Jean soberly "fof
then perhaps he won't try to fight you
again. He doesn't forgive easily. I am
afraid. and then. YOU know. - Ia so Jealous