The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1919-04-23
( THE DAILY
SHORT STORY
Outside the Game.
BY 8. 3. HAcKLEY.


Warren! Warren!" Camden's Oldest
inhabitant could not remember finer
Thanksgiving day-sunnY and dry and
the big yellow chrysanthemums Her.
man Seidler, Camden's florist, had
brought to perfection in his greenhous-
es near the football grounds quivered
under the volume Of yells the boosters
Of the rival teams.
Camden and Warren colleges had
taken up athletics in general and foot
ball in particular little late in life,
perhaps for this reason their enthu-
eiasm was the greater.
And nearest the two warning teams
were the two most enthusiastic foot
ball men IL Camden town-Branham
Riker. tee young professor OF Greek in
Camden College and Clement Sea,
bookkeeper for Grimes & Quincy, the
Camden wholesale grocers.
Seas enthusiasm was Of the silent
variety. Though his blue eyes saw
every move, he stood as quiet as q
post. But Riker's black eyes flashed;
his dark, Spanish-looking face glow
ed or glowered as his team scored or
lost.
Pretty Jane Fithian, the daughter Of
the professor Of mathematics. watched
the two enthusiasts rather than the
game. q worried expression in her ha-
eel eyes.
Clement Sea loved here-that she
knew and Riker was going to tell her
this evening that he loved her. Which
did she care for? Clement had never
asked her to marry him; he had never
called on her since Prof. Riker had
been going out with her so much, but
It wasn't that he didn't wish to but be-
cause he believed she loved Riker.
That, too, Jane knew.
II she accepted Riker she would be
the envy Of the other girls of tn :
town. Most any Of them would thing
they were lucky to marry college
professor that looked like Branham
Riker.
Out driving the day before in Rik-
er's new car. Jane saw Clement re-
leased from his afternoon work, watch
1u6 Lu0 tSal1 al PIaS%iScs
TITS . bit queer to see sissy inter-
ested in football" Riker remarked.
Indeed Clement Sea is no sissy"
Jane averred Indignantly.
Riker laughed. Well, anyway. he's
the kind that gets henpecked after
marriage and tells everything he
knows to wifey!"
Jane laughed bit unwtllingly, but
under the spell of his fascination her
resentment soon died.
Warren! Warren!" The yell was
louder. more exultant than ever. A
crowd of visitors from Warren waved
Warren's colors, red and blue. The
white and yellow OF Camden, TOO, wav-
ed defiantly, but it was evident that
Camden was playing a losing game.
Then the ugly thing happened.
The spectators had crowded up
close. Jane and one other onlD saw
a sudden mad act. The next instant
the game was won by Warren. When
the wounded" were helped off the
field 1t was found that the coach was
suffering from three fractured ribs.
When the young man was treated at
the home OF President Sayre black and
blue spots were found on his side, in
flicted by the hard heel OF shoe not
. in the, game and not by accident.
Who did It?
Jane Fthian could have told. Jane,
who, IN the twinkling Of an eye, had
had the cobwebs Of fancy swept from
her brain and the illusions Of the at-
tractive personality, unaccompanied by
decent selc.control, dispelled.
The college president entertained
the winning team at dinner, and at 2
o'clock feast held at the home Of the
English professor, Shelby Frederick,
Diker. was one Of the guests; Jane
Ffthian, an animated creature, with
brilliant flags OF color In her cheeks,
another.
Soon after the guests left the dining
room Jane Sought her young hostess
In the dressing room.
You're not going, Jane" she ex.
claimed in surprise. Are you forget
ting we're all going for moonlight
ride this evening-and-and-lsn't
Prot. Riker taking you?"
i've got to go home, Elsie" Jane
answered. They're all dining out
there's nobody there, and I've Just re-
membered something. perhaps l
will come back after awhile"
"Let Upton take you in the car II
you must 90. Jane" her friend sug-
gested. Jane shook her brown head.
mo. want to walk"
I'm behind on my work since I've
been losing sleep Of night. I've got to
80 70 the office now and begin a long
afternoons work." Jane had heard {
man say in refusing a dinner invita-
ton at the grounds that morning.
When Clement Sea took down the
telephone received the voice that came
over the wire set his heart leaping.
NtI, you phase come I'D to the
house-rfght now?" st said.
I'll am very busy" he stammered.
oh, Clement" the voice was tremu-
lous, 81 Nlll keep you but q few min
utes: I'll must see you"
Five minutes later Jane answered
lbs ring ct the Fithian doorbell and
led him TO the parlor
Why ChaIenf you been around to
sec % this long time?" she demanded
lightly.
He tried to answer as lightly. but
ended With the stammered truth.
Tulane. do you think fellow
wants TO hang around the girl he's
loving until his heart aches for her
whom he knows he's outside the game?
James breath came quick, then she
Rnailed coeuetiSEly.