The Ordway new era., 1912-10-25

appoint her. Maisie's was on a sheet
OF pad paper. but contained a pitiful
little plea.
Honest, Ralph" it read, I'D not
care much what happened II couldn't
come to see you play, but get tired
roofing when l can't tell you after
wards how proud am Of our star
| pitcher. Please come"
On one side was Maisie with the
possibilities of influential assistance,
combined with the girls brilliant at
ira -tlveness: on the other. sweet.
faithful. devoted Bessie. fitted by
training and inclination to help man
in playing not only baseball. but any
game OF life, willing to sit and root
for him If afterwards he would come
to her for comfort and congratula-
tions. No wonder that his arm went
back on him, and that his eyes mis-
judged. Thurston was playing a big
ger game than he realized.
Hes gone STALE" groaned the
grand stand. while the bleachers toot.
ed horns and rang huge cowbells to
show their disapproval.
Pull him out!" some yelled us
Thurston continued his blunders; but
as there was no one to take his place,
the captain contented himself with
coaching with all his might. while the
manager tried to stimulate interest by
betting heavily against the Yellow
Feet, covering his money by judicious-
ly placed bets on the other side, made
by those In his employ.
Finally the first half of the ninth
was reached. The score stood to 1.
in favor of the visitors. Instead of
the usual cheering and applause which
had greeted Thurston as he ran to the
box. there came a dead silence moro
expressive than any demonstration. As
he had left the bench, he had caught
sight OF the pale faces Of tho two
girls. and he wished that hole would
open up before his feet, in which he
might hide from them and the mock
ing crowd. He gritted his teeth.
clenched his fists until the fingers bit
into the palms OF his hands. then
began pitching with all his old-time
vigor. AS In the first inning, he put
the men out In one, two. three order.
and the grand stand went wild with
Joy. The Yellow Feet were not wor-
ried, however, and indifferently trot-
ted out into the field. A sneer disfig-
ured Compton's face as he swung his
arm, but 1t changed to something else
when Gryce. the captain Of the Black
Flags. struck out q homo run. This
ratified the man in tho box. for he
let the next man get to second on
line drive that easily passed left field.
and the third took his base on balls.
Thurston then came to bat. His two
bagger brought In another run and
put q man on second. Tho next man
hunted, and three bases were filled.
The score was now to 8. with all
bases filled. The manager. Gordon.
was the next man at bat. but he
famed out, as did the next. Then
came Burchell. who always managed
q two-bagger. His ball rose grace
fully. scared out and over the head
of right field. and the men began eat
ing up the ground to get home. Just
as the man from third began to slide.
the ball fell into the glove Of the
right fielder. and the pennant be-
longed to the Yellow Feet.
The work OF all the Black Flags had
been good. They had assisted again
and again in keeping down the score
| Of the Yellow Feet when Thurston had
gone to pieces, and naturally blamed
their defeat on him. The man said
nothing. Sullenly he changed to his
street clothes, then wrote his resig-
nation. The manager took It, saying
tartly:
"All right. II you feel that way"
| II guess all Of you feel that my
room Is better than my company"
Thurston said sourly, as he slouched
out OF the club house. hands deep in
his pockets. head bent down. Just as
he emerged an automobile dashed by.
In it were several Of the cheering
Yellow Feet and Maisie. In the sec
ond of passing she tossed her head.
looking at him with unbared con-
tempt.
| AS he turned to make his way to
the street cars, a soft voice said at
his elbow:
Don't run over me. Ralph" and
starting, he saw Bessie smiling up
at him, although her eyes were red
with tears Of disappointment.
"They expect too much Of you.
working you until your arm goes
stale; it's a shame" she said com.
fortingly.
"Bess," Ralph said. catching her
hand and gripping it hard. I'm q
piker; I went up in the air on this
game. honest"
Everyone does that sometimes"
she said softly.
II say. Bess." he asked sheepishly.
"I wonder II you'd be afraid Of mo
in another kind of game?" and Bes-
sic understood. She answered, as they