The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1909-01-17

Th0ugh " was only an hour befOr'
the great football game between Clin
ton and parnall. their conversation
was not Of the gridlron as they walked
down Main street bound for clintor
oval,
"Thoree only one thing that kcepl
me from becoming engaged 70 you
right now, Thornton" said the giFI
after serious pause.
pYou'll have to tell mo, Letai
can't guess r. answered the stalwari
quarterback of the Clinton eleven.
Just this" she said. II am not alto
gether sure that you really need me
IN your life. You aro a strong, self
reliant boy, capable Of lighting your
own way over the obstacles that will
confront you.
More than all else put together, ]
want 10 know that without my en-
couragOment you would DO accom-.
pliahing less that win always be-
an inspiration 10 you. no matter what
your aims may be-
For a moment the young man did
not reply. Then hc looked at his com.
paniou, hts gaze sincere.
'Leta, you're right, he agreed quiet.
ly. THAT'S the way l want you 10
feel about Il. Deep down IN my heart
/ know that you would always inspire
me TO strive FOR the best IN life, But
I must conylncs you Of this, and IN
DO II, too, dear giFl II got the
chancew
'slaybc you viii. Thornton" she
replied. 'and ! hope that you will
more than you can guess. Why-why
not begin at the game todayr
That's what intend 10 do, Latal'
was his prompt response. II expect TO
play % never played before. Just be.
cause you arc wearing Ciinton's col
ors and wearing my pennant IT'S a
pretty one, Isn't ~
''The gold aud brown stripes harmo'
nlEe beautifully with that bright
brown gown you are wearing. Your
ticket calls for seat back on the
north goal. and | know Ill nee you
clearly despite the crowds"
IL certainly In nne," she declared
that little me may be an inspiration
10 a Clinton boy 10 play at bis best,
But II seems almost pity that you are
not one Of the halfbaeks OF IN the line,
though know everything depends
on the quarterback. lie giyes the alg
mails aud delivers the ball. doesn't hoi"
II know what sou lnean. Leta,s he
said, "You would like 20 see me In
position whore could run with the
ban instead Of handing Il ont to some
body elsef'
The girl nodded,
well, that's because I weigh only
IA5 instead of 200 pounds" no contin.
ued. After nh, It takes sheer weight
IN tho line. and that naturally slides
me Into the quarteFbaek's place.
"But you mustn't forget that Clinton
depends upon me TO kick the goals, and
a goal kicked or missed often wins or
loses big game like thIs."
They were now on tho college
grounds amid shouting hundreds and
nuttering iiags and pennants, Thorn.
ton assisted Leta 10 her seat high up
In that part Of the semiclrcuiar grand |
stand that stretched around behind the |
north goal.
Il hope Clinton gets the south end |
Of the field" be said as he started OF |
tQYard tho clubhouse.
"whyT she asked.
Because then I'll be able to see the |
orange aud brown magnet that's draw.
Ing me north toward Darnall's goalr"
ho said earnestly.
Soon the rival eleyens trotted out on
tho field, and from the thousand
iongued grand stand rose mighty |
shout, while pennants, ribbons, hand.
serchiefs and Gags mingled In a wav
ng, yaricolored mass.
II was the great wlnd-up game OF
he year, and there was a chance for
my player to win q glory crown by
making the deciding touchdown, Both
alevens, II was evident, were steeled
'or the contest
But, as fate would have II, Clinton
sot the north end Of the field, and
Iavage quarterback waited for the um-
,ire'a signal with bis back to the girl
n orange who was waving q pennant
-for him
But despite this disappointment he
his strength for the charge,
md as the shrill whistle struck his
sars he leaped forward straight for
he ball that lay on the line twenty
Yards In front OF him. Blffl The oval
vent whirllng through the air in a
llxty yard parabola, with the whole
Clinton team In pursuit
The bali landed IN the arms Of Oar.
mills fullback, and the big fellow
'ame back up the field In q series Of
unges. But before dozen yells had
split the air he was down, with every
Clinton man plling over him.
Then the shoulder TO shoulder battlS
,egan, In three downs plrnall lgsl
he ball. Then Thornton's opportunity
,ame. 10 test DarpalIk llne he sagt
It the risk Of having BIS own necl
visited a series of center rush slgnals
Three times the heavy backs eh1s~
ID over him. aud he felt Ills hreath
yolng fast as DarnalI hurled back tae
End runs were tried With
,ut liffia hatfar aucopaa geeing tNnt