Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1907-12-09

skin, the red of her lips. Today she
deep colored cloth, little cocky felt
hat and a great bunch of violets that
outshone all the other blues except that
of the pennant which she carried at
the end of slender cane
You beauty" Holden said under his
breath as he took his seat beside her
on the grand stand.
She turned quickly.
"Oh, Irwin" her face was brilliant
with color. Its worth everything To
see you again. Aunt Sue" she said to
the lady beside her. this is Irwin Hol-
den, the famous halfback of two years
ago"
The king Is dead. Long live the
king Irwin quoted solemnly. There
have been so many famous halfbacks.
Helen, that it isn't any wonder thar
Mrs. Mcdonald doesn't remember me. >
But 1 do remember" Mrs. Melon
aid assured him. Helen has talked OF
you so much-and," she hesitated, 'of
your accident"
Il haven't been able to walk we'll on
| two feet since" Holden said grimly,
| land this is the first game l haze
>lared let myself see. 1t makes me
Wild
ITO think that you can't play" Hell
ems tone was sympathetic.
ITO know Ican't ever do things that
make Il man worth while" bitterly.
But you have done 50 many things
that are worth while, and they tell me
that you are writing book
"Oh, book His tone was scorn-
| full
You might have let me know what
you were doing" she complained. 81
think our old friendship deserved that"
! He glanced Gown at her
"Ah, our friendship" he said. az
had two good feet when we cemented
that. Helen. wasn't a dummy on
| crutches
| Irwin" she flashed out reproachful-
ly. las if that made any difference"
But 1t does make Il difference" he
said as he bent over her. You know
you worship strength In a man. don't
you:"
Yes" she agreed quietly. "but not
always mere physical strength
The one isn't much without the
other. Look At those fellows now
Down the field came the teams. The
bands of the opposing sides crashed
out the good old tunes. college yell
succeeded college yell. and the banks
of spectators stretching up and up on
the seats i'll solid masses of blue Il id
crimson We're agitated to uproarious.
ness.
Isn't it fine? Isn't 1t fine:' Helen
said breathlessly. having cheered the
blue team to the echo.
Holden nodded.
They are bound to VIM" he said
"They are made of the right stuff"
Il only know one of them PERSONAL
~" Helen told him--''Nan Dorm"
He's the strongest man in the lot
He's an ideal halfback."
He is ideal in more ways than one.
she agreed.
He flashed Il quick glance at her.
Il have heard you thought So"
who told YOU"
"Some Of the fellows"
/ She turned her back on him squarely
Il didn't suppose that you talked mt
t over with the fellows" she said owe
her shoulder
/, Il don't" uncomfortably. 'but ont
couldn't help hearing that Van Dorm !:
, awfully datfy over you"
$50 were yOu-two years ago"
She Said it daringly, giving him
glimpse of flaming cheeks and indig
. nant eyes, and then once more he wa
= forced to contemplate the knot o
5 bronze hair under the cOcky hat
2 His face went white. but he salt
: quietly, we are missing the best o
/ the game" and turned his attention t
g the field.
g All about them people were absorbe
e by the play. Aunt Sue. unlearned an
Il un!ettered in football lore. was oblivi
e Gus to everything else. These tw
e alone thought of other things.
d 1t was at Van Dorn's touchdown tina
S the place went wild.
d ''Oh, he's great great. great"' Hele
II enthused as she waved her pennan
J. frantically. 81 haven't seen anythin
like it since the last game you played
V Irwin. Oh, do you remember the littl
e blue pennaIt that l made you pin
If your sweater for auckland it didn
q bring you luck
Ell NO" he said duly, at didn't brin
i me luck. / lost the game, / lost til
strength / gloried in-I lost you, He
en-"
NO. no." she protested: you knee
n You always had my friendship. Irwin.
II But l. didn't want friendship, an
- you knew it and I knew 1t. And
= hadn't the right to ask for anythin
:, else. and so l kept away from yol
- But after two years Of separation til
- temptation to see You was too great, $
:, / sent you the tickets and asked yo
=, 10 come TO the game
:, "The whole world was changed whe
- read your letter." she said simpl,
" II have missed you so. dear boy"
- Then for moment he let himself 2
;, "Oh. Helen, Helen!" he said br