The Monticellonian., 1917-11-16
STRUCK OUT By HENRY L. STERRETT.

II do so love a good game of base ball, and suppose yours will be bat tie royal. expect to enjoy it greatly
 The speaker was beautiful damsel of nineteen, a "co-ed" in fashionable university. She was shy-eyed, demure, clever and bewitching, with a 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 favors of Miss Edith Mars den.
 "Of course you pitch" said Edith, turning to Hal Stone, a blond giant burdened with heavy club, garnished 1 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, MT. Carlyle?"
 "I regret that I 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 q red, red rose. Will you accept this one?"
 "Oh, how charmingl" 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?"
 We hope so," was the quiet an- swer. You see we want that pen lnant."
 It 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 it off, tossed the broom to the mascot, looked at his watch. and then at the sky. Car lisle stalked slowly toward the box while his men scattered to their posi- tions. Then the white man tossed white ball and some words out to Tim, but no one heard his remark. For seven innings neither side scored. But Tn the eighth big Harker, for the pur- pie, found ball to his liking and swung on 1t. When 1t came back to the diamond the big man Was panting 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 it sped as an arrow straight for Tins head. His hands flew 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. It was still one to nothing with the odds in favor of a tie at least. Stone kicked, but to no purpose. He saw Edith wildly ap- plauding his enemys brilliant play. and his face grew ack. He was un- steadied by his anger and three sharp hits sent q man over with the tying run. Ills 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 hit every time at bat. so the big fellow sent in lot of high benders curving dangerously near the batter's head. Tim saw the play, and stepped back to protest Then he faced his man in rage In came another swift inshoot. It struck Tim fairly on the temple, and he fell as if shot. Hal rushed to his fallen enemy, wringlng his hands, but Tim was out of the game. Then things settled down again, and the game proceeded. Maroon made no 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 the ball so far out that it never got into the game again. He scored the win ming run, for the rattled Maroons fall ed. Purple was champion.
 Stone rushed from the field in tri- umph, seeking for Edith. He found her in the reception room of the club house kneeling beside the couch on which Carlisle rested. Tins head was bandaged but as he held the hand of the girl he seemed to care little for his injury.
 Miss Edith blurted Hal, you said you'd wear the winners colors. 1 claim your promise"
 q have kept it, sir" said the girl with quiet dignity. q have told Tim so. This,n indicating the rose, lis the winners colors. You struck out MT. Stone" she added. pointing mean ingly to the recumbent figure on the couch.
 Copyright. 1917. Western Newspaper Union
 Our Selected Army.