Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-10-26

wouldnt your
No; | would not"
This was said so decisively that it
took all the starch out of MIR Merry
weather. who fearing she might alter
her mind about giving him another
chance. beat precipitate retreat lie
at once set about putting himself in 4
! position in which he could not run any
/ especial risk. 1t was the hunting sea-
/ son, and. though he adored his gun
and his dogs he made vow not to
! visit his shooting lodge during his
month OF probation. I'D be sure to
shoot myself he said.
When he told her how he proposed
| to show his love for her she said it
was very nice OF him, but explained
to him that it was not the giving up
! of sports in which there was more or
| less risk. but in exercising an ordina-
ry care. Mr.. Merryweather was fond
OF horseback riding. but declared that
it would be just his luck for his horse
TO slip on a banana peel or something
| and carry his rider down under him,
so he resolved not to ride for a month.
Being a member OF the Excelsior Ath-
/ letic club and both strong and quick.
| he had been scheduled for right Tickle
in the annual football game between
the Excelsior and the Calumet teams.
He Immediately wrote the captain OF
his team that he would not play the
game that year.
His note was received with conster-
nation. Wallace. captain OF the team.
on receiving it fastened TO see Mr..
Merryweather and asked him for his
reason for withdrawing. Bob who de-
clared that he hadn't the slightest oh
lection 10 lying If he could. but h
couldn't, confessed the whole matter.
Wallace laughed and asked him to
give him permission TO 90 to Miss
Grigsby and try to get her consent to
count out football from the conditions
attending his probation. Bob said he
had no objection and Wallace went to
the lady with the request. She grant
ed it at once, agreeing that If Bob
We're injured during his participation
, in the game she would not consider 1t
a cause for his dismissal But this did
not satisfy Bob. and Wallace was
obliged to return to Miss Grigsby to
secure promise that If her tiance
we're MANNED in the struggle she
would nevertheless marry him. Joe
laughed at the comical situation and
asked Wallace If Bob meant the con-
ditiOn seriously.
Certainly he does" was the reply.
He may never have been serious be-
fore, but he is now, and | am satisfied
that If you don't consent be will not
play in the game. and without him We
are sure to be beaten
Every we'll" replied Joe. Tell him
I'll risk it this once"
The agreement being made through
Wallace. who was perfectly credible
witness, there was no need for writ
ten contract, and Bob began practice
at once.
The game took place on the last
Saturday in November. and Captain
/ Wallace realizing that his best man.
Bob Merryweather. would play better
in the presence Of the girl he loved,
begged Joe to attend the game. The
request was supertluous. for she had
no idea of absenting herself. There
was more than the usual excitement
on the field. for the match was to de-
eide an important championship. lt
was noticed at once that Merryweath-
er, who made up in activity what he
E lacked in bulk. was putting in better
work than he had ever done before.
, Twice in the early part of the game he
= interfered with an opponent who was
about to carry the ball over the goal.
q Later. Bob made two remarkable runs.
e lifting the Excelsior score to he equal
with that of the clubs opponents. At
t last. when the ball was within few
yards of the winning goal for the Ex
# celsiors and there was but a minute
left to carry il over and get the game.
| Bob Merryweather made the effort of
his life and. breaking through all In
& reference. fell with IT beyond the line.
IS most Of the Calumets on top of him.
He was carried by his fellows to
u the grand stand. stanching blood from
his noStrils. and when he removed the,
cloth his nose was a spectacle to be-
hold II was knocked to smthereens.
q Joe Grigsby saw il and threw up her
II hands. in horror
Great heavens" she exclaimed.
e "And | have promised to marry him
z Notwithstanding any injury incurred
it during the game"
s BOD Merry weather WIS covered WIN
glory and blood. and his battered face
y wore n SMILE that was positively grew
II some. Miss Grigsby left the field with
il ont relaxing the grave expression on
h her own cOuntenance Bob consulted
a number Of surgeons with n view TO
repairs. One Of them tried to screw
d the ruined nose into shape. but failed
Another attempted to carve new
D nose ont of Bob's arm. All Of these
a endeavors only made the nose more
. hideOus.
10 Bob offered 10 release his fancee,
hut she surprised him and every one
else by refusing TO accept release
9 She said that she bad no business to
al reprove Bob for taking risks and then
take one herself. They were married
Y. and thus FAR have made a happy
o. couple.