Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-12-11
DAILY SHORT STORY.
CONTINUED from Page Four.)

pack sent the ball far down the field.
other kick. There were more close
formation plays. followed by two more
long distance kicks, while the air was
filed with the cries Of the spectators
and the sharp, quick shrek Of the UNI
pire's whistle.
The time of the first half was almost
up when suddenly out Of scrimmage
rolled the ball. For second nobody
excepting Clinton's quarterback knew
what had become of it.
AS 1t bounded cArelessly along Thorn.
ton at one swoop seized it. Simulta-
neously he heard shout on the side
line, "Only forty seconds leftv'
Directly in front Of him, not twenty
yards distant, was Darnall's goal.
Even a halfway drop kick might win
the game. Thornton dropped the ball
to the ground and swung his right foot.
A great cheer went up, which died
away suddenly in q groan. The ball
few high, bat it didn't go within fifty
feet of either post.
Times up!" yelled the umpire.
Thornton felt that all Clinton was
disappointed beyond expression and
deeply ashamed of the showing he
had made after the college had boast
ed of his prowess as a drop kicker.
He remained in detected seclusion
during the intermission.
But when the whistle sounded again
he was like another man. Clinton
had the south goal this time, and
clearly the quarterback saw girl In
orange swinging a pennant in the
grand stand. Already the throngs
had forgotten his fuke In the hope
of victory in the second half.
At the kickoff Thornton sent the
| pigskin seventy yards down the field
and then plunged into the game with
| ferocious energy. He determined to
redeem himself or perish in the at
| tempt.
Back and forth over the field surged
| the teams. while thousands shouted
| encouragement.
Neither eleven seemed able to break
down the defense of the other until
toward the end of the half, when
Clinton began to come up the field
steadily.
Thornton, his head clear as bell
was playing at frightful pace. giving
| Darnall no time to catch its breath
| after each attack. But thirty yards
from the goal line! Darnall brace6
itself heroically and stood like O
| stone wall
"Only one more minute to play!
called the umpire, and the crowds tool
up the shout.
| Thornton realized that In so short Q
/ time line plunses would be futile
There was only one hope of victory
another drop kick for a goal. While
only twenty yards away. the goa
posts were off to the left at an obliqu,
angle.
There was about one chance in {
dozen of putting the ball between
them, but Thornton took 1t. He STOOD
back of the line ready to call the sig
nal. and the Darnall eleven, seeing I
was to be kick. got ready to plung'
through and break up the play.
Then suddenly the quarterback, look
ing directly between the goal posts
saw Leta in the grand stand in an at
titude of breathless expectancy, ant
he knew more than the game depend
ed upon his Quickness and Skill
He stepped back a few yards. ant
with his eye riveted on the figure II
orange he gave the signal in clear
sharp tones, "Three, double two, elev
enw
The ball struck his outstretchet
hands. and as he dropped 1t he sho
out bis right foot. The next second
big Darnall guard leaped over the lin
and struck Thornton head-on. sendin,
him Keeling senseless twenty feet fror
the spot where he was hit.
But the big man was half q secon,
too late, for Thornton's toe had caugh
the ball squarely, and 1t went flynn
straight as a bullet between the gea
posts and up into the grand stand, AL
ing almost at Leta's feet!
A wild, deafening yell Of Joy brok
over the field, but the quarterback di
not hear IT. Ten minutes later, whe
he came to. girl was bathing his fort
head, and he caught the glow of he
bright brown dress. The crowd fel
, back respectfully.
! Don't worry, Thornton, dear boy,
she whispered. 81 saw you looking a
me when you made that wonderful
kick, and I know now how much
mean to your
e