The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-11-09
THE EVENING STORY
The Blue Pennant.

with a occurrences that made an effec-
tive foil for the bronze brightness of
her hair. the warm ivory of her skin,
the red Of her lips. Today she wore
blue-a trim tailored gown Of deep
coIored cloth, little eocky,. felt hat,
and a great bunch of violets that out
shone 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 grandstand.
She turned quickly.
''Oh. Irwfn!" her face was brilliant
with color, "it,s worth everything to see
you again. Aunt Sue. she said, to
den. the famous halfback of two years
ago."
"The king is deadl Long live the
king Irwin quoted, solemnly. There
have. been so many famous halfbacks.
Helen. that it isn't any wonder that
Mrs. Mcdonald doesn't remember me-.
"But do remember Mrs. Mcdonald
assured him: Helen has talked of you
so much-and." she hesitated, "of your
accident" ~
II haven't been able to walk well on
two feet since" Holden said, grimly,
land this is the first game have dared
let myself see. It makes me wild"
ITO think you can't play?" Helen's
tone was sympathetic,
ITO know I can't ever do things that
make a man worth while,' bitterly.
that are worth while-and they tell me
that you are writing book"
ooh, book his tone was scorn-
full.
you were doing!" she complained. IT
think our old friendship deserved
He glanced. down at her.
"Ah, our friendship" he said. Il had
two good feet when we cemented that.
Helen. I wasn't a dummy on crutches.
Irwin" she flashed out, reproach-
fully, "as if that made any difference
"But 1t does make a difference. he
said, as he bent over her; YOU know
you worship strength in a man, don't
yes she agreed, quietly. but not
always mere physical strength" y
1.-The one isn't much without the 9TH
| err Look at those fellows now"
l.; Down the field came the teams. The
bands on the opposing sides crashed out
the good old tunes; college yell sue.
ceeded college yell; and the banks OF
seats in solid masses of blue and GRIM
| son were agitated to uproariousness.
isn't it fine? Isn't 1t finee" Helen
said. breathlessly, having cheered the
blue team to the echo
Holden nodded.
-~They are bound to win," he said.
..They are made of the right stuff"
II only know one Of them. personal
ly," Helen told him. ivan Dorm"
I Hes the strongest man in the lot.
He's an ideal halfback."
HE is ideal in more ways than one,
she agreed.
| He flashed quick glance at her.
| IT have heard you thought So"
| "Who told your"
| '"Sone of the fellows"
/ She turned her hack on him squarely.
"I didn't suppose that you talked me
over with fellows" she said, over her
shoulder.
.T don't" uncomfortably. but one
couldn't help hearing that Van Dorm is
awfully daffy over you"
$50 were you-two years ago.
She said it daringly. giving him
glimpse of flaming cheeks and Indignant
eyes, and then,on more, he was forced
| to contemplate the knot OF bronze hair
under the coc4y hat,
| His face went white, but he said
Quietly. I'VE are missing the best of
| the game" and turned his attention to
| the field.
| All about Them people were absorbed
by the play. Aunt Sue, unlearned and
unlettered in football lore, was obvious
to everything else. These two. alone
thought OF other things
| It was at Van Dorn's touchdown
that the place went wild.
''oh, he's great. great, great! aeien
franticaliy ct haven't seen anything
like it since the last game you played,
| irwin. oh. do you remember the little
1 blue pennant that I made you pin TO
yorir sweater for luck--and 1t didn't
bring you luck
mo" he said. DULY. at didn't bring
me luck. I lost the game, lost the
strength I glorfed in-I lost you, Helen.
| mo, no." she protested; you knew
Won always had my friendship, Irwin.
| .sBut didn't want friendship, ana
Won knew it and I knew it. And L
| hadn't the right to ask for anything
| else. and so kept away from you. But
| after two years of separation the temp
| tation to see you was too great, SO /
sent you the tickets ana asked you TO
come TO the game"
aThe whole world was changed when
I read your letter" she said. Simply L
have missed yuo so, dear boy
| Then for a moment he let himself go.
"Oh. Helen, Helen!" he said, broken
\ But the game was over and tumul-
tuous throng poured out or the sea. ts
| erwin wants us to go to dinner with
\ him. Aunt Sue" Helen said as they
went down the steps.
| In their walk across the green they
| attracted more than usual afternoon,
the younger boys admiring Helen's
beauty. the older ones recognizing IN
the man with the crutch the famous
/ then been reported engaged to the girl
| by his side.
| van Dorm. flushed with victory, came
I'D to their table at the college inn.
| "I'ye won your pennant, Miss Mar
shall" he said looking like young goo
with his great strong figure, his halr
/ hair tossed back from his foreheao.
did promise ftf" Helen asked UNI
| s.Tndeed Won did" he stated securely,