The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1912-11-26


shoot myself" he said.
When be told her how he proposed
to show his love for her she said 1t
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-
~ care. Mr.. Merryweat Their was fond
of horseback riding. but declared that
1t 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 month.
Being d member of the Excelsior Ath-
letic club and both strong and quick.
he had been scheduled for right tackle
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 1t FASTENED to see MIR.
Merry ather and asked him for his
reason for withdra wing. Bob. who de-
CldTeu tliul liz tuC VIZ
lection to lying II he could. but he
couldn't. confessed the whole matter.
Wallace laughed and asked him to
give him permission to 20 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
bx, r,f-
ed it at once. agreeing that If Bob
were injured during his participation
in the game she would not consider 1t
a cause for his dismissal. But this did
not attsfy Bob. and Wallace was
obliged to return to Miss Grigsby to
secure a promise that II her. tiance
were MANNED in the struggle she
would nevertheless marry him. Joe
laughed at the comicai 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 he will not
play in the game. and without him we
are sure to be beaten"
VERY WELL" replied Joe. Tell him
I'll risk 1t this once"
The agreement being made through
Wallace. who was perfectly credible
witness. there was no need for a writ
ten contract. and Bob began practice
at once.
The game took place on the last
Saturday in November. and Captain
Wallace realizing that bis best man.
Bob Merry wea tller. would play better
in the presence of the girl be loved.
begged Joe to attend the game. The
request was superfuous. 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. 1t
was noticed at once that Merry wealth
err. who made up in activity what he
lacked In bulk. was putting In better
work than he had ever done before.
Twice in the early part of the game he
lnterfered with an opponent who was
about to carry the ball over the goal.
Later, Bob made two remarkable runs.
lifting the Excelsior score to be equal
with that of the clubs opponents. At
last, when the ball was within few
yards of the winning goal for the Ex
celsiors and there was but q minute
left to carry it 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.
most Of the Calumets on top Of him.
He was carried by his fellows to
the grand stand. stanching blood from
cloth his nose was spectacle to be
hold 1t was knocked to smithereens.
Joe Grigsby saw it and threw up her
hands in horror.
Great heavensr' she exclaimed.
And I have promised to marry him
notwithstanding any injury incurred
during the game"
Bob Merryweather was covered with
glory and blood. and his battered face
wore a smile that was positively grew
some Miss Grigsby left the field with
out relaxing the grave expression on
her own countenance. Bob consulted
a number of surgeons with q view to
repairs One of them tried to screw
the ruined nose into shape. but failed
Another attempted to carve new
nose out of Bob's arm. All Of these
endeavors only made the nose more
, hideous.
Bob offered to release his fancee.
but she surprised him and every one
else by refusing to accept release
She said that she had no business to
reprove Rob for taking risks and then
take one herself They were married
ard thus far have made a happy
foupie.