The Washington herald., 1908-02-17


lips. To-day she wore blue-a trim tailor
cd gown Of deep-colored cloth. little,
cocky. felt hat. and great bunch of NO
lets that outshone all the other blues eX-
.cept that of the pennant which she car
ied at the end Of a 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 10 see you
again Aunt Sue" she said, 10 the lady
beside her this is Irwin Holden. the
famous half back of two years ago"
The king is dead, Long live the king,'
Irwin quoted solemnly. There have been
so many famous half backs. Helen. that
it isn't any wonder that Mrs. Mcdonald
doesn't remember me-
But I do remember" Mrs. Mcdonald
assured him; Helen has talked OF you so
much-and." she hesitated. "of your acct
dent"
Il haven't been able to walk we'll on
two feet since" Holden said. grimly. and
this IS the first game I have dared let my
self see. 1t makes me Wild"
TO think you can't play Helen's tone
was sympathetic.
To know I can't ever do things that
make man worth while" bitterly.
But you have done so many things
that are worth while-and they tell me
that you are writing a book"
oh. a book his tone was scOrnful.
You might have let me know what you
were doing" she complained. Il think
our old friendship deserved that
He glanced down at her
All. 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. reproachfully
''ss if that made any difference"
But it does make a difference" he
said. as he bent over her; you know you
worship strength in a man, don't your"
Yes" she agreed, quietly. but not al
ways mere physical strength"
The one isn't much without the other
Look at those fellows now"
Down the field came the teams. The
bands on 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 in solid
masses OF blue and crimson were agitated
60 uproariousness.
Isn't II fine? Isn't 1t fine?" Helen said.
breathlessly, having eheered the blue
team 10 the echo.
Holden nodded
'"They are bound to win" he said.
They are made OF the right stuff"
I only know one of them. personally"
Helen told him. ivan Dorm"
Hes the strongest man in the lot
He's an ideal half back"
He is ideal in more ways than one. ."
she agreed
He flashes quick glance at her.
II have heard YOU thought so"
who told you?'
Some Of the fellows"
She turned her back on him squarely.
4 didn't suppose that you talked me
over with the fellows she said. over her
shoulder.
4 don't uncomfortable but one
couldn't help hearing that Van Dorm Is
awfully daffy over you.
so were yOu-two years ago
She said it daringly, giving him a
glimpse OF flaming cheeks and indignant
eyes, and then. once more, he was forced
TO contemplate the knot of bronze hair
under the cocky hat.
His face went white. but he said quiet
". we 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 I'M
lettered in football lore. was obIivious 10
everything else These two alone thought
of other things.
Il was AT Van DOrn's touchdown that
the place went wild.
oh. he's great. great. great" Helen
enthused. as she waved her pennaut fran
tically Il haven't seen anything like il
since the last game you played Irwin.
Oh do you remember the little blue pen
nant that I made you pin 20 your sweater
for auckland Il didn't bring you luck
No he said, duly. 1T didn't bring me
luck. lost the game. 1 lost the strength
1 glOried in-I lost you Helen"
NO. no" she protested: you knew
you always had my friendship, Irwin
But I didn't want friendship. and you
knew il and I knew il. And I hadn't the
right TO ask for anything else. and so 1
kept away from you But after two years
of separation the temptation to see you
was too great. so I sent you the tickets
The whole world was changed when
read your letter" she said, simply. Il
have missed you so. dear boy
Then for a moment he let himself go
oh, Helen. Heient' he said. brokenly.
But the game was over and a tumul-
tuous throng poured out Of the seats.
Irwin wants MS to 30 10 dinner with
him Aunt Sue" Helen said as they went
down the steps.
In their walk across the green they at
uacted more than usual attention, the
younger boys admiring Helen's beauty.
the older ones recognizing in the man
with the crutch the famous half back Of
Two years ago, who had then been re-
ported engaged 10 the girl bv his side
Van Dorm. flushed with victory. came I'D
10 their table at the college inn.
We won your pennant Miss Mar
shall, he said. looking like young god
with his great strong figure. his fair hair
tossed back from his forehead
Did 1 promise it?" Helen asked. IN
certainly
Indeed. you did," he stated. securelv;
and l shall wear II like knight for his
lady
With her eyes avoiding Holden's. Helen
united the blue trophy slowly from the
cane In the sight OF the whole room Van
- To f''NVN Il 8" lii0 NltcNt. lie Old II
trump hantly. bending over her with an
fir Of possession that made Holden set his
lips sternly and turn 10 a tense study of
the menu
May I come back and go home with
your he asked; but Helen shook her
head
Irwin will take US" she said: but I
wish. If you have a minute. you'd show
Aunt Sue the trophy room. She has never
seen It,"
rs they went away she faced Holden