The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1918-09-25
TIE DAILY
SHORT STORY

2HGRl olON1
Girl or Game.
3 By R Ray Baker.
COPYRIGHT, 1918, by the Mcclure
Newspaper Syndicate+)
HAD got to the point where
: Steve Mason had to know where
he etood-on the deck OF . sink
ing, sgbmartned ship or on a flying
Held preparing to soar among the
Clouds IN winged machine.
fHaze1 Norris said yes then Il
would be avfadon;H she replied mega
lively that meant the plunge. AL this
about soaring and plunging. you must
understand, had to do with Steve's
mental state. The war had not yet
stretched its steel-scaled arm to Amer
lea, and Steyewas considering neither
aero journeys nor ocean voyages,
literally speaking. He was still in
Clifton College, senior, and his faFo-
rite form Of combat was baseball.
After, being with Hazel once on the
Occasion Of q theatre party early in
his senior year his admiration for her
increased to friendship which be-
came 20 warm as the time for gradu-
alton APPROACHED that It finally ceas-
ed to be friendship. as far as his feel
inEg were concerned.
Sfeyef reached the point" mention
Ell II the first paragraph at the same
tie his hand found the point OF
arden of her home. He had met
Hazel late that afternoon by an acct-
dent, ostensfbly. She was not supoos-
ed to know that he had fingered
inn halfshour near the millinery store
wIhara she worked. waiting for her to
appear so he could walk nonchalantly
toward her and be surprised to meet
her
steve had no real reason for believ-
ing that she cared for him He was
aware that some six or eight students
were reported to have proposed TO ner
and been rejected during the last
three years, but he was willing to take
chance on being the seventh or the
ninth. or even the thirteenth.
Steve knew that his red head ana
freckles didn't jfbe with her creamy
complexion and black hair. but ne
was not TO blame for the contrast
He picked splinter from the fence
realized he was more nervous tnan
he had been at any time since his
initiation into Tau Beta Chi. FOUNDER
ed desperately for words, then got
grin ON himself and let it out with:
szHazel, I'm not going to beat about
the bush. I'm not capable OF pouring
ont sentimental gush and craving
on my knees. but want to marry you
and hope this is not so sudden that
YOU can't decide my fate here ana
She laughed lightly and placed her
hand over his as it rested on the fence
and replied:
fimental gush.' because I'm rather
tired Of it myself. like the way you
70 about this without moons or BAD
Ing brooks and I'll admit care a lot
for you, but I cant answer now.
First I must have proof that you are
the kind OF fellow would marry and
that You really care IS much as you
say. But I am not saying 'no'-1ust
remember that
The next day he received letter
from her. It read:
Won told me yesterday am giving you
4 chance to prove your affection. To-
morrow Clifton meets Alton for the
state college baseball championship.
NY cousin, VIII Forbes, Will .pltch LOT
Alton, and in a letter just received
he told me that it means everything
for him to win the game. as ne e3-
poets to try for professional league.
4Hera's your chance to prove that
s-f,n love me. II the opportunity Of
eers to miss ball or strike out at
critical point OF the game and you
surely can prove beyond doubt that
ven care as you say you do.
The letter stunned poor Steve. with
his heart eating itself out for Hazel
( and the rest of hin all wrapped up
ii the national game. Steve would
rather play baseball than anything
Alse in the world except have Hazel
for a wife. Then. too, his love for his
alma mater was strong. and his regard
for honor and fair play was stronger:
.sHow can she ask such a thing
he groaned aloud as he sank back IN
the only rocking chair his apartment
OF the rooming house Afforded He
ionged for his pipe, but he was IN
q can't do It," he repeated over and
over at wouldn't be honorable or
suuare: and simply can't bring my
xeu to it. But Hazel cant give
1 l,er M. She means too much to me
eYen it she does ask impossible
most nnpossible-things.
The day OF the game turned out
6rfeht and clear in spite OF Stoves
Wish that a deiuge might visit the
diamond. He saw her In the sTano
stand as he logged out to center te!d
Tor practice, and tipped his cap IN
Z answer to her jannty wave OF 1ne
hand. .s.s
the contest started with prospects
Of close struggle Each side scored
4 nun IN the second inning, ana Aiton
pushed another across IN tne 1oI[en
CLIFTON evening it up In the NTH. Thus
the score stood tie at the opening
OF the eighth
tired on pop ny to third.
But his successor hit clean Texas
4 ASeuer which landed him on second
AlIToESScI,iarad third on q Sacriftce