Tensas gazette., 1917-12-14
STRUCK OUT
BY HENRY L. STERRETT.

Dull, anu suppose yours VIII De u Ddt-
tie royal. expect to enjoy 1t greatly"
The speaker was q beautiful damsel
Of nineteen, a "cO-ed" in a fashionable
university. She was shy-eyed. demure,
clever and bewitching, with figure
and manner that had set the students
by the ears. The young men owed
allegiance to rival universities, rival
ing each other in sports and collegiate
attainments and last of all were rivals
for the fayors of Miss Edith Mars
den.
"Of course you pitch" said Edith.
turning to Hal Stone. a blond giant
burdened with heavy club, garnished
by huge knot Of purple ribbon; "and
of course you expect to win?"
"That's my intention" was the mod
est reply. "By the way, Miss Edith.
can't prevail on you to wear our col
ors?" untying the ribbon and offering
1t. you shall be queen of love and
beauty. and spur us on to victory"
"How nice. Yes. I'll wear them as 1t
is championship day. What Is your Of
fer. Mr.. Carlyle?"
II regret that / have no banderole to
offer. nor scarf of our cOlOrs with me-"
said Tim Carlisle. purple is fit only
for royalty. fair lady, and I felicitate
my foe on his happy thought. Yet
we crown our queens Of love and beau
ty as Americans with red, red rose.
VIII you accept this one?"
"Oh, how charming!" exclaimed the
girl as she inhaled the fragrance Of
the flower. Her cheeks were as red
as the rose itself as she noted the ap-
peal In the eyes Of her cavalier. "YOu
too. will win?"
1--WE hope so," was the quiet an
swer. "You see we want that pen
inant."
1t was a battle royal. Two teams
more evenly matched rarely meet on
the diamond.
Ten thousand people yelled when
the teams trotted on the field ready
for the fray. A man clad In white duck
with an air Of importance, walked to
the home plate, brushed 1t of. tossed
the broom to the mascot. looked at
his watch, and then at the sky. Car
Isle stalked slowly toward the box
while his men scattered to their posi-
lions. Then the white man tossed a
white ball and some words out to
Tim, but no one heard his remark. For
seven innings neither side scored. But
in the eighth big Harker, for the pur-
pie, found a ball to his liking, and
swung on 1t. When It came back to
the diamond the big man was painting
on the bench. Maroon failed to score
and the purple was one run to the
good.
Three men on bases and two out was
the record in the ninth when Hal STEP
ped to the plate. Victory was In
the end Of his bat, and he knew It.
He smashed the first ball and 1t sped
as an arrow straight for Tins head
His hands few up and the pitcher
rolled on the earth while two men
trotted In. Then the cunning boxman
rose and showed the ball lightly
squeezed In his hands. The man In
white made naughty gesture and
the Maroons came in. 1t was still one
to nothing. with the odds In favor OF
q tie, at least. Stone kicked. but to
no purpose. He saw Edith wildly ap
plauding his enemy's brilliant play
and his face grew ack. He was un'
steadied by his anger and three sharp
hits sent q man over with the tyins
run. His own swiftness and skill pre-.
vented the loss of the game.
Then Tim stepped to the plate. Hal
determined to strike him out. or put
him out of the game. He had hi
every time at bat, SO the big fellow
sent In a lot Of high benders curvinl
dangerously near the batter's head
Tim saw the play, and stepped bach
to protest. Then he faced his man II
rage. In came another swift inshoot
It struck Tim fairly on the temple. and
he fell as II shot. Hal rushed to hi.
fallen enemy. wringing his hands. bu'
Tim was out Of the game. Ther
things settled down again, and tht
game proceeded. Maroon made n,
more runs, and the teams squared
away for the extra inning. Stone look
ed up to see Edith. but she had dis
appeared. In fierce wrath he sent th'
ball so far out that 1t never got int
the game again. He scored the win
ming run. for the ratified MaroOns fail
ed Purple was champion.
Stone rushed from the field In tri
umph, seeking for Edith. He fount
her In the reception room Of the club
house kneeling beside the couch OF
which Carlisle rested. Tins hea'
was bandaged, but as he held the ham
of the girl he seemed to care little 70
his injury.
Miss Edith" blurted Hal, "you sal
you'd wear the winners colors. clain
your promise"
81 have kept 1t, SIR" said the gir
with quiet dignity. II have told Tir
so. This" indicating the rose, II
the winners colors. You struck ou
Mr.. Stone" she added, pointing NEAR
ingly to the recumbent figure on tn
couch.
(copyrteht 1917, Western Newspaper Union