The Washington times., 1913-11-17

nets: in the ninth, with the
Il Eagles still 10 come to the bat.
And the pennant as reward for
the victors.
In Punch Reeves's absence and in the
need of confusing the Hornet batters
by a left-handed pitcher, the veteran
southpaw, Pitman, had been put into
The box by Bohannan. The past worthy
old warhorse had pluckily held his own
up to the fifth inning. since when he
had been very gradually but very stead
lily going to pieces.
Punch's unexplained absence at this
CIusial moment had stricken Bohannan
and Mona Fitzgerald and the team
itself with a numb horror. The fans
had howled their angry dismay. And
the Eagles had settled down doggedly
to losing battle.
Sam. the negro factotum, sat dispair-
ingly at one side of the clubhouse. He
could not summon courage to look at
the field And thither, after the first
half of the ninth, Skeets Marvin was
half led, half carried, a sprained ankle
having put him out OF the game. Mona
Fitzgerald, noting Skeets' injury, had
followed TO learn its nature.
Don't you care, Miss Fitzgerald" the
battered PLAY player Go5 tried eSht to rsassure her
oh, but it's two to one" grieved
Mona, ''and we needed only this game
Tor the pennant- 1t broke my heart
Tske e hefs P,tmsa 5hsm ot telling Take him OUT
Our sides comm up for dere med
cine" volunteered Sam, peering around
the edge of the clubhouse. 'Farren's at
bat. He, can't hit dat Hornet pitcher
wild a Gatlin'.''
What became of Punch?" walled
Mona. "Do-do you think he could have
been drinking again?'
But he Couldn't! 1 know he couldn't
.Faran's out.' groaned Sam. NC
:McFarland?' echoed Mona. 'McFar-
lands good. He -. .-----.
A crack like a pistols broke in IN her
praise.
I'D and down. Yeah o Jubilee, 4 safe
nit Eat 'em up, yo' Mcfarland: Jes
uach'ly go TO it. white man! Yo"'
Punch Reeves burst into the space by
the clubhouse through the street gate.
His face showed pasty through its
bronze. His bloodshot eyes blazed with
anger. He tore off mis- coat as he ran.
Punch, Punch called Mona.
He paused and stared at her in a
daze.
Locked me in" he croaked, vaguely.
Locked my door, the cur. 1 broke out
What's the score?"
Two to one against u.s." answered
Mona. "Oh. Punch. we're losing, we're
iosing,''
Punch dashed into the clubhouse.
You're too late.' she called to him,
its the last half of the ninth"
But he did not hear. Mona called
again, but a loud, ragged shout from
the field drowned her voice.
Brown was at bat" reported Sam.
He done got swatted by one of dem
pitched balls. He's takin' his base"
Two men on bases!" gasped Mona,
who's at bat?"
No one" sputtered Sam. doing a jig
step in his frenzy. It's Pitman's turn
an he shO' is all in. He's collapsin'
hisself. Mr.. Bohannan's a-talking to
Zap Reeves. Lordy! Cap Reeves to bat
No, MOI" cried Mona in protest.
Caps a good pinch hitter, Miss Fitz-
gerald spoke up Skeets, and his
Cit behind it, yo' Capt. exhorted
Sam. Push. white man.
4 tense silence fell. Then came the
Gmpire's nasal cry:
Strike!
A groan from the bleacherites: then a
shout as the umpire snapped the mono
syllable:
"Ball!'
But the silence hung thick over the
field and the clubhouse group alike as
ne word "Strike!' followed.
Then crack, sharp, loud, sudden,
and a menagerie-Iike babel of noise
rom the crowd. Sans feet became
and he sprawled headlong, squealing
as he fell:
A hit: oh, folks, he-hit! A three
Dagger."
His voice was lost in the avalanche of
exUIlant shTieks from the spectators
The earth shook with their tumult.
What is it?" demanded Punch
Reeves. running out of the clubhouse in
uniform.
''Ciane's over bawIed skeets, thump-
ing his injured ankle. "Pennants ours!
Cop hit "A three-bagSer. We've won.
PUnchi We've won. Listen to that
That" was a mighty volume Of sound
hat resolved itself into a rhythmic
shout fr.r.n thousands of throats.
Reeves. Reeves! Cop-ley REEVES,
Through the opeA gate and toward
the clubhouse poured the team, slappng
Copl'y Reeves on the back, yelling his
lame III every meditation OF praise and
delight.
Punch sprang forward, beside himself
with rage, and struck his brother a
staggering blow in the mouth. On the in
staut dozen hands seized the mad
man and ovcrpOwered him. COpley. re-
covering from the snOck, made no eff
fort 10 retaIiate, but stood staring in
silent wonder at the brother he loved.
You locked me up. you s~'ine.'
ruaTed Punch, struggling vainly to tear
free iron his captOrs. 'Queered me,
You wanted your chance! Well, you got
Il, vUu''---
That's enough said Copley Reeves
very quietly.
Enough, it is?" raved Punch. I'm
IOlns to show you up for what you are.
Welland told me- You paid $500 to
stay with the Eagles"--
That's not true!' broke in Bohan-
nan. "He"-
BE quiet. Bohannan!" ordered Cop
Icy.
Yes. be quiet, Bohannan"' Knocked
The raging pitcher. Let Copley be the
hero as he has tried to do all his HE
know his game at last. He's got my
money and now he wants to GET
Punch glanced at Mona Fitzgerald.
But he had no chance to name her in
L'S Wild accusation. Ccriey spranS for
ward 70 interrupt him, and again the