Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1908-12-31
un when suddenly ont OF a scrimmage

up when suddenly out OF scrimmage
rolled the ball. For second nobody
excepting Clinton's quarterback knew
what had become of Ii.
As IL bounded carclessly along Thorn
ton AT one swoop seized IL. Simuita-
neuusly he heard shout on the side
line. only forty seconds left!
Directly Ia front of him. not twenty
yards distant. was Darnalls goal
Even 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 groan. The pan
few high, but II didn't 20 within nfty
feet Of either post.
"Time's up!" yelled the umpire.
Thornton felt that all Clinton was
disappointed beyond expression ana
1eeply ashamed Of the showing he
had made after the college had boast
ed of his prowess as drop kicker.
He remained in detected seciusion
during the intermission.
But when the whistle sounded again
he was like another man. Clinton
had the south goal this time, ana
clearly the quarterback saw girl in
orange swinging a pennant In the
grand stand. Already the throngs
had forgotten his huke 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
Rack 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 held
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 bracet
Itself heroically and stood Ike
stone wall.
"Only one more minute to play!
called the umpire. and the crowds tooi
up the shout
Thornton realized that In so short
time line plunges would be futile
; There wac only one hope or victory
another drop kick for goal Whil
only twenty yards away, the goa
posts were off 10 the left at an obliqu
angle.
There was about one chance In
dozen OF putting the ball betwee
:, them. but Thornton took II. He stoo
/, back of the line ready to call the sig
nal. and the Darnall eleven, seeing
|, was to be kick, got ready to plung
through and break up the play.
;, Then suddenly the quarterback, lool
Ing directly between the goal post
:, saw I.eta In the grand stand In an
= titude Of breathless expectancy, an
he knew more than the game depend
cd upon his quickness and skill.
He stepped back few yards, an
with his eye riveted on the figure
orange he gave the signal in clea
:, sharp tones, ''Three, double two, eie
en-
The ball struck his outstretcht
hands, and as he dropped II he sh
= :, out his right foot. The next second
y big Darnali guard leaped over the Ill
. and struck Thornton head-on. sendiI
him Keeling senseless twenty feet fro
= the spot where he was hit.
~ But the big man was half secoi
too late. for Thornton's toe had caug
~ the ball squarely. and II went fyil
IL straight as a bullet between the 90
" posts and up into the grand stand, ia
Ing almost at I.eta's feet!
10 A wild deafening yell OF joy bro
II over the fed. but the quarterback d
not hear it. Ten minutes later. VIII
be came TO. n girl was bathing his FOL
ne head, and he caught the glow of b
bright brown dress. The crowd 4
back respectfully.
Don't worry. Thornton, dear boy
'n she whispered. 81 saw you looking
al me when you made that wonderi
~ kick. sand | know now how much
a. mean to your