The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1919-01-23

per syndicate)
It had got to the point where Steve
Mason had to know where he stood
on the deck of d sinking submarine
ship or on flying field preparing to
soar among the clouds in winged
machine.
If Hazel Norrin said ''yes" then it
would be aviation; if she replied mega
lively that meant the plunge. ALI 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 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 theater party early in his
senior year his admiration for her in
creased to a friendship which became
so warm as the time for graduation APP
preached that it finally ceased to be
friendship, as far as his feelings were
concerned.
Steve reached the point mentioned
In tie first paragraph at the same time
his hand found the point of picket in
the fence inclosing the garden of her
hGElc. He had met Hazel late that
afternoon by an accident, ostensibIy
She was not supposed to know that he
had fingered full half-hour near the
millinery store where she worked
waiting for her to appear so he could
walk noncnalantly 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
years, but he was willing to take a
chance on being the seventh or the
ninth, or even the thirteenth.
Sieve knew that his red head and
freckles 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 nervous than he
had been at any time since his initia-
ton into Tau Beta Chi, f1Oundered des-
perately for words, then got a grip
on himself and let it out with:
Hazel, I'm not going to beat about
the bush. I'm not capable of pouring
out sentimental gush and crawling on
my knees, but I want to marry you.
and hope this is not so sudden that
you can't decide my fate here and
now"
She laughed lightly and placed her
hand over his as it rested on the fence
and replied:
I'm glad you're not capable of sen
timental gush,' because I'm rather
tired Of it myself. I like the way you
go about this, without moons or bab-
bling brooks and I'll admit I care a
lot for you, but I can't answer now.
First [ must have proof that you are
the kind of fellow would marry and
that you really care as much as you
say. But I am not saying 'no'-just
remember that"
The next day he received a letter
from her. 1t read:
Dear Steve-Rememberin what
you told me yesterday I am giving you
chance to prove your affection. To-
morrow Clifton meets Alton for the
state college baseball championship.
My cousin, VIII Forbes. will pitch for
Alton, and in a letter just received
he told me that it means everything
for him to win the game, as he ex-
poets to try for professional league.
Here's your chance to prove that
you love me. If the opportunity of
>ferS to miss a ball or strike out at a
critical point of the game and you can
help Alton to win you surely can prove
beyond doubt that you care as you say
you do.''
The letter stunned poor Steve, with
his heart eating itself out for Hazel
and the rest of him all wrapped up in
the national game. Steve would "a
Their play baseball than anything else 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.
'How can she ask such a thfng?H
he groaned aloud as he sank back in
the only rocking chair his apartment
of the rooming house afforded. He
longed for his pipe, but he was il
training.
81 can't do it," he repeated over anC
over. cit wouldn't be honorable OF
square; and I simply can't bring my
self to it. But Ha2eI-I can't give
her up. She means too much to me
even if she does ask impossible
most impossible-things."
The day of the game turned ou
bright and clear in spite Of Steve:
wish that a deluge might visit the dia
mond. He saw her in the grand stand
as he logged out to center field fol
practice, and tipped his cap in answe
to her jaunty wave of the hand.
The contest started with prospect:
Of a close struggle. Each side scored
a run in the second inning, and Altol
pushed another across in the fourth
Clifton evening it up in the fifth. Thu
the score stood a tie at the opening o
the eighth.
The first Alton man to bat was re
tired on a pop fly to third.
But his successor hit clean Texa
Lacquer which landed him on second
He achieved third on Sacrihc