Saint Mary's beacon., 1911-12-14

4
Btlly. who graduated only last year
and In nc the foot Of the second lieu.
tenants"
The words were spoken By Nrs. Bar
Ter. wife Of Major Baxter. instructor
at West Posnt. 10 her daughter. An
nette, aged seventeen years and eight
months and engaged to Lieutenans
Billy Dolman Of the til infantry.
Besides" continued Mrs. Baxter.
with n teasing sparkle I'm her eye.
BILLY n coaching the football team for
the annual game with the middies
and has all he can do to ct them for
the struggle. He has no time to de-
vote TO preparation for matrimony."
II wish you were not 10 devoted to
our boys winning. mamma" said the
daughter.
And ] wish BILLY TO have hin mind
On his coaching exclusively"
Perhaps II he knew that you had
consented 90 our marriage it would
make him no happy that he would pun
the boys through. He thinks abous
your refusal all the time"
~T'n tell you what III do" said Mrs.
Baxter after soms thought. "If Billy's
team wins I'll consent to your wedding
the minute the game il over"
MAY / say that To himr'
"Yes. you may. and that II he loses
you must wait a year"
Annette rushed OF to the telephone.
called up her lover and announced the
| conditions.
Mother II demented about our boys
winning the annual game this year,
and that has induced her to yield what
she has yielded. never dreamed that
she would ever give us a chance. She
has persistently said that I shouldn't
marry before am twenty"
Billy was 80 excited over the news
that he told his chum. who told his
other chum. and Annette told her
bosom friend. who told her other
bosom friend. and the result was that
within a few days every one knew
"as q great secret" that IL Billy Dol
man brought the army team mp to an
efficiency that would enable them to
beat the middies he was to win a wife.
III not he would have TO wait a year.
Resides the waiting there's many a
slip twfxt the cup and the lip. Then,
since ali the post knew IL. Billy told
the team. adding that his cup OF Joy
or misery was In their hands.
All the world loves n lover, and the
spirit the announcement infused into
the team was something remarkable.
Every man went into more stendy
4 mAw~H~ 49, LzR
shirked a moment of practice when
the team was being coached Billy
worked with them like n Titan. In
deed. 80 hard did he make II for them
that every man who was not physical
| iy up TO his work got out and gave
| place TO better. The result was
that when the last few days before
the game came round Billy was con-
scious OF having as good team as
could be turned out OF the material mt
his disposal
| Annette one afternoon during the
training went out to view the practice
| game. but her appearance was marked
by a cheer. which brought the blush
| OF maideniy modesty 20 her cheek, and
she did not venture on the field again.
Then came the day Of the fight,
which that year took place at West
Point. The president Of the United
Etates. the chief OF the general staff
and hosts OF others I'm authority were
| spectators. The middies marched on
20 the ground headed by their band,
while the cadets kept ster 10 the
strains OF their own martial music.
| hat uhn hn
| prize OF the day. would attract un-
bounded attention. refused TO be pres
snt. but the captain Of the army team
sent word to her that IF abe did not
come to cheer his boys he would not
answer for the consequences. This
brought her 10 terms. and when Lieu
tenant Dolman escorted her 10 her
seat she was received by huZZa
| from the army team and the waving
| Of handkerchlefs from the spectators.
In the first half the middies made
one touchdown. distinguishing them
selves by brilliant play. The army
men showed as much vigor ard de-
| termination at the end Of the half NJ
at he beginning. In Tia" second half
that esprit born Of the feeling that the
fate Of n pair Of lovers depended on
their efforts began 10 tell on the army
men. while the elan of the earlier
part Of the game shown by the mid
dies began to give way. Billy Dolman
kept himself constantly before their
notice And from her seat Annette
Baxter waved to them. When time
was called for the game 20 close the
score stood 12 10 IN favor OF :he arrnv.
The army team before leaving the
neld went I'm a body 10 where Annette
| had been sitting to cheer Eer. but the
bird had fown. Headed by Lieuten-
ant Dolman, they went to Major Bax-
ter's quarters and demanded the girl.
When II was found that they were
not to be put or Mrs. Baxter an
nounced that she was ready TO keep
her agreement and that the wedding
should take place that evening.
And so II was that in the presence
Of the team, TO whom leave was given
% attend. william Dolman and An
nette Baxter were married. There was
O considerable stir about Major Bax-
tsrs quarters during the evening by
those who couldn't get inside. and aft
or the ceremony the bride and groom.
responding 10 calls, went outside and
received hearty cheers from all who
were intscesesA IN the game that had
aaesa wnn.