Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1919-03-27
Girl
or Game
@0
By r. RAY BAKER
Copyright, 1918, by the Mcclure Newspa-
per Syndicate.)

SAS W SAN0 SSAAA NS"Sk
per Syndicate.)
1t had got to the point where Steve
Mason had to know where he stood
on the deck of a sinking submarine
ship or on a flying field preparing to
soar among the clouds in a winged
machine.
If Hazel Norrin said "yes'' then it
would be aviation; if she replied mega
lively that meant the plunge. All this
about soaring and plunging, you must
understand, had to do with Steve's
mental state. The wal had not yet
stretched it's steel-scaled arm to Amer
lea, and Steve was considering nei-
Their aero journeys nor ocean voyages,
literally speaking. He was still in Cliff
ton college, a senior, and his favorite
form of combat was baseball.
After being with Hazel once on the
occasion of a theater party early in his
senior year his admiration for her in
creased to a friendship which became
30 warm as the time for graduation ap-
preached that it finally ceased to be
friendship, as far as his feelings were
concerned.
Steve reached the point mentioned
IN the first paragraph at the same time
his hand found the point of a picket in
the fence inclosing the garden of her
nome. He had met Hazel late that
afternoon by an accident, ostensibly.
She was not supposed to know that he
had fingered a full half-hour near the
millinery store where 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
we're reported to have proposed to her
and been rejected during the last three
gears, but he was willing to take q
chance on being the seventh or the
ninth, or even the thirteenth.
Steve knew that his red head and
treckles didn't jibe with her creamy
complexion and black hair, but he was
not to blame for the contrast.
He picked a splinter from the fence.
realized he was more than he
had beer at any time since his iritia-
lion into Tau Beta Chi, foundered des-
perately for words, then got a grip
ID himself and let it out with:
Hazel, I'm not going to beat about
he bush. I'm not capable Of pouring
out sentimental gush and crawling on
NY knees, but I want to marry you,
and l hope this Is not so sudden that
you can't decide my fate here and
low."
She laughed lightly and placed her
land over his as it rested on the fence
Ind replied:
I'm glad you're not capable of SEN
:imental gush,' because I'm rather
hred Of it myself. I like the way you
30 about this, without moons or bab-
ping brooks and I'll admit I care a
Ot Tor you, but T can't answer now.
plrst | must have proof that you are
me kind of fellow I would marry and
nat you really care as much as you
Jay. But 1 am not saying 'no'-just
'cmember that"
The next day he received a letter
rom her. 1t read:
Dear observation-disclosures what
Fou told me yesterday I am giving you
A chance to prove your affection. To-
morrow Clifton meets Alton for the
state college baseball championship.
My cousin, Will Forbes. will pitch for
Alton, and in a letter T just received
he told me that 1t means everything
.or him to win the game, as he ex-
poets to try for a professional league.
Here's your chance to prove that
ron love me. If the opportunity Of
fers to miss a ball or strike out at a
critical point Of the game and you can
aelp Alton to win you surely can prove
beyond doubt that you care as you say
you do"
The letter stunned poor Steve, with
ais benrt eating itself out for Hazel
ana the rest of him all wrapped up in
ne national game. Steve would ra-
her play baseball than anything else In
"" world except have Hazel for II
wire. Then, too. his love for his alma
nnier WAS strong. and his regard fay