, 1918-10-17

Two men were and another on
third. The Alton catcher advanced to
the batter's box, and after two strikes
and two balls hit one back of third
which the Clifton left fielder came up
on, but not fast enough to lake 1t from
the air. He picked it up on the bound
and by a quick throw to the plate
forced the Alton base runner to stay
on third but while this play was being
enacted the Alton catcher reached sec
ond.
The Alton pitcher was next to bat.
Here was a chance for him to win his
own game, and the set of his Jaw
showed he was determined to do it.
Steve, out in center, watched him anx-
iously as he swung and missed the first
ball.
Hope he doesn't send 1t out this
way" Steve muttered. his mind still
troubled by Hazel's request. His wish,
however, bore no fruit. for the Alton
pitcher knocked the ball high in the
air toward center.
Steve, gauging correctly, saw that he
would not have to move more than a
few PAGES from his tracks to catch the
ball. He braced himself and watched
the sphere descend. 1t seemed as If it
would never get to him. He held out
his hands, cupped for the catch. Some
of his teammates, displaying u SUI
preme confidence in him, already had
left their positions and we're on tho
way to the bench.
Hes got it," roared an enthusiast
on the bleachers. "That boy never
misses 'em!"
The ball struck Steve's glove, and at
the same instant he seemed t see Ha-
zers face rise before him. The sphere
bounded from his hands, and, while he
chased it frantically. two Alton base
runners scored. Steve recovered the
ball and threw it to second in time to
stop the Alton pitcher, but the tie was
broken. with the score 4 to 2 in favor
OF the enemy. The next batter struck
out, and 1t was Clifton's turn at the
bat.
The last half of the ninth opened
with the tallies unchanged. The Cliff
ton captain went among his players
pleading with them to do something
for the old school," And they re-
sponded. The first man up knocked
a sizzling grounder past second and
got to the initial base. The one who
followed duplicated the feat. back of
first, and succeeded in acquiring pos
session of that sack, while his pred
| naoSSnr landau Snfalu m CarnnI
The next man hit one nearly to the
left field fence, and the Alton man
holding down that position scurried
back and nailed it; but each of the
base moved up a notch after
the catch. Clifton's prospects were
good, but her stock declined somewhat
when the following batter fouled out.
Steve came to bat. With two mel
on bases. two out and two scores need.
ed to tie, q more critical period of the
game would have been imagined with
difficulty. His face vas pale. he clutch
ed his bat nervously, his lips trembled
He did not v e glance at the grand
stand, but simply waited for the pitch
er--HazeIs cousin n the man who's,
skyscraper he had missed-to throw
the sphere.
As Steve was about to enter an au
ton'obile after the game he heard hi.
name called and saw Hazel coming to
ward him. She drew him to one side
and he motioned for the car to leave
him.
She opened her mouth to speak, but
he got ahead of her with:
Miss Norrin, 1 wish you to under
stand that 1 got your letter all right,
but l also want you to know that !
didn't miss that ball on purpose in the
eighth. I love you. just as 1 said, but
I couldn't betray my teammates and
my school in such a dishonorable man.
ner."
Her eyes glistened unnaturally, and
n big tear started down each cheek.
There was a remarkable softness in
her voice when she said:
"I knew you didn't try to throw the
game, Steve. I wouldn't have had you
do it for the world. / said you would
have to prove that you were the kind
of fellow 1 would marry, and 1 hope
you didn't think 1 could have a traitor
for a husband. If you had thrown
the game l would never have spoken
to you again. I was almost afraid, ]
must confess, that you had yielded
when you missed that fly, but when you
you knocked hat home run in the
ninth and redeemed yourself and WOE
the game for Clifton, I just cried-fol
joy-as 1 am crying now"