The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1909-01-21

ton and DaruaIl, their conversation
was not Of the gridiron as they walked
down Main street bound for Clinton
oval.
There's only one thing that keeps
me from becoming engaged To you
right now, Thornton said tie gar!
after serious pause
You'll have TO tell me, I-eta; l
can't guess it answered the stalwart
quarterback Of the Clinton eleven.
Just this" She said. Il am not alto
gether sure that you really need me
in your life. You are strong, self
reliant boy, capable Of fighting your
own way over the obstacles that Will
confront you.
More than all else put together,
want to know that without my en-
courugcmcnt you would be accom-
plishing Iess-that l viii always be
an inspiration to YOU, no matter what
your aims may be"
For moment the young man did
not reply. Then lie looked at his COM
panion, his gaze sincere.
"Leta, you're right" he agreed quiet
ly. That's the way l want you to
feel about it. Deep down in my heart
know that you would always inspire
me to strive for the best in life. But
I must convince you Of this, and I'll
DO it. too. dear girl, If L get the
chance
Maybe you will, Thornton" she
replied, and I hope that you will
more than you can guess. Why-why
not begin at the game todayI"
That's what l intend to do, Leta"
WAS his prompt response. Il expect to
play as l never played before, just be-
cause you are wearing Clinton's col
ors and wearing my pennant. It's Il
pretty one, isn't IT.
THE gold and brown stripes harmo-
nize beautifully with that bright
brown gown you are wearing. Your
ticket calls for a seat back on the
north goal. and | know I'll see you
clearly despite the crowds"
1T certainly is fine" she declared,
that little me may be an inSpira ton
to Clinton boy to play at his best.
But 1t seems almost a pity that you are
not one OF the halfDacis or in the line,
though l know everything depends
on the quarterback. He gives the sig
nails and delivers the ball. doesn't heI"
Il know what you mean, Leta." he
said. You would like to see me in Il
position where | could run with the
ball instead Of handing it out to some
body else:"
The girl nodded.
o well, that's because 1 weigh only
145 instead Of 200 pounds" he contin-
ued. After all, 1t takes sheer weight
In the line, and that naturally slides
NE into the quarterback'S place
But you mustn't forget that Clinton
depends upon me To kick the goals, and
goal kicked or missed often wins or
loses big game like this
They were now on the college
grounds amid shouting hundreds and
hutterins flags and pennants Thorn
ton assisted Leta to her seat high I'D
In that part Of the s"micircular grand
stand that stretched around behind the
north goal.
Il hope Clinton gets the south end
or the field" he said as he started off
toward the clubhouse
''Why:" she asked
Because then I'll be able to see the
orange aud brown maGuet that's draw
Ing me north toward DarnalIS goal.'
he said earnestly.
Soon the rival clevonS trottaJ o,,t on
the field. and from the thousand
tonSucd grand stand rose mighty
shout. while pcnnuntS. ribbons, hand
kerchiefs and flags mingled in Il wav-
ing, raricOlorcd mass
1t was the great wind-up game of
the year, and there was n chance for
any player to win n glory crown bv
making the deciding touchdown. Both
elerenS. 1t was evident, were steeled
for the contest
Hut. as fate would have it. Clinton
got the north end Of the field. and n
savage quarterback waited for the UNI
pres signal with his back 10 the girl
IN orange who was waving a remnant
for him
but despite this disappointment he
.SatueFeu ms strength for the charge
ana as the Shri!l whistle struck his
ears he lcAQed forward straight for
the ball that lay on the line twenty
SaroS III 'front.' "f him. BIZ. The oval
went whirlin- through the air IN Il
SIXTY yard parab"Ia. with the whole
CLINTON team in pursuit.
Inc ball landed in the arms Of Oar
nal fuilhack. and the big fellow
came back UP the field in u series of
iungeS. But before Il doza, volts had
SL,it 'he air Il" was down. with every
clinton man piliuc over him.
linen tn" shoulder to shoulder battle
began In TIRE" downs parnau lost
the ball Then Tnornton'S Commemorative
came. 10 test naTrall's line he gave.
at the risk Of having his own mock
twisted q series Of center rush sinr,1s
Three times the heavy backs ch,r.,.
II iFF, 4