Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1909-11-17

i"E "ihLs' II Is not strang,
be did not look mp as tall girl walked
rapidly toward him across the campus
Her hand was outstretched, but a
sight Of his face she dropped II. apC
little sob caught her breath as sh,
passed hurriedly up the steps Of la
dies hall. Once In her own room q
storm Of tears relieved Lucia's fee.
ings and enabled her to see what
seemed to have escaped every ones
vision at the time-that 1t was only a
game that was lost. after all.
Dear boy" she exclaimed impul-
sively. caressing Ned's picture. which
stood on her dresser. HE must not
be left to suffer alone" Then a sec.
ond thought came to her. "They must
ali be suffering"
Thought meant action with Lucia.
and soon two devoted freshmen were
speeding over the hail tapping OF
every door with the summons, Meet
in the gym at once" Other petticoated
couriers gathered In the girls from the
neighborins fraternity houses. and the
gymnasium was filled with restless.
wondering groups when Lucia march
ed in, clad In crimson loungiDg robe
grit with en- azure sash and holding
under her arm a miniature football
which had once contained bonbOnS.
She walked calmly to the platform.
Girls" she said. waving her hand
toward the athletic quarters. those
boys. the team. are over there alone,
crying-crylng, do you hear, with
shame and humiliation. The boys have
left them without rs much as a hand
shake. People have passed them on
the street as II they had the plague.
They are our boys, our team. who have |
won every game for three years. Re
member how they wiped up the field !
with Chicago only year ago; how they
have beaten Minnesota three times.
Remember how they went east and
tied Cornell and showed the eastern
teams we could play football out here.
We know. too. that they have never
played an unfair game. that they have
lenled themselves Injuries AID amuse-
nents and have practiced hard to be q
,redit to Great Western. What right
nave we. who never helped to win their
'ictories. TO draw back and blame them
or their failure? 1t Is n shame 10 all
Il US. l tell you, to let them suffer
here aloner' II
A rOusing cheer greeted the conclu-
Ion Of her speech, and little Nell
Iusted jumped on the piano stool 10
make her voice heard among the babel
{ approving tongues az she cried. II
move We send the boys some flowers
nd let 'em know we like 'em stillv'
Nell seized the football and started
round the room. Dollars and half
ollar3 ratified together until she pour
the gli'terlng heap Of silver into
.uciH's lap, saying. Get 'em, the
eauties. Lucia. and send a note"
AS the members Of the team sat
oomily In the hall of the athletic
larters trying to talk, and only spas s
odically succeeding, the roses were
Fought In. Il great, fragrant armful.
ed with au azure sash.
A card bore the inscription, with
'rdial good wishes from the Great
estern girls. who have admired tie
am In its victories and still admire
in It's first defeat" 4
There was a moment Of strained ST.
rec, while each boy tried not to =
low all he felt. Then O'Neal leaped
his feet. and the way they all :
ined in his cheer for "Our girls.
hey're trumps" plainly showed that
e first bitterness of failure had
Used.
There was a note for O'Neal, Just d
W lines from Lucia. in which she
rote, Make the boys eat their
lsnksgiving dinner Ned, then come
e me. please"
The old time ring was In Ned's
ice as be turned to the boys, saying:
ZEN have the dinner brought over
re and keep Thanksgiving. after all |
is have it now. for | have an en-
cement this evening" |
rhe boys could even laugh as some
? said, Make It for life If you can, |
fellow"
! will" said Ned humbly. |
Il