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

Two men were out and another on
third. The Alton catcher advanced to
the batter's box, and after two strikes
ard two balls hit one back OF third
which the Clifton left fielder came up
on, but not fast enough to take it 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 Id center. watched him anx-
iously as he swung and missed the first
ball.
Hope he doesn't send it out this
way" Steve muttered. his mind still
troubled by HazePs 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
bali. He braced himself and watched
the sphere descend. It seemed as if it
would never ge- to him. He held out
his hands, cupped for the catch. Some
Of his teammates. displaying a su-
premc confidence in him, already had
left their positions and were on the
way to the bench.
Hes got it," rOared an enthusiast
. on the bIeachers. ''That boy never
misses 'em %
The bail struck Steve's glove, and at
the same instant he seemed to see Ha-
Zel's face rise before him. The sphere
bounded from his hands, and, while he
chased it franticaliy, two Alton base
runners scored. Steve recovered the
tall and threw it to second in time to
stop the Alton pitcher, but the tie was
broken. with the score 4 to in favor
o. the enemy. The next batter struck
OUT, and it was Clift0n's turn at the
bas.
The last half OF the ninth opened
with the tallies unchanged. The Cliff
! pleading with them to do something
| for the cid school" And they re-
! SpOnded. The first man up knocked
q 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
! ecessor landed safely on second.
! The next man hit one nearly to the
| left field fence, AID the Alton man
holding down that position scurried
! back and nailed it; but each of the
+ base runners moved up a notch after
! the catch. Clifton's prospects were
/ good. but her stock declined somewhat
when the following batter fouIed out.
| Steve came to bat. With two men
! en- bases. TNo out and TWO scores need
! ed to tie, q more critical period of the
! game would have been imagined with
! difficulty, His face was pale he clutch
ed his bat nervOusIy, his lips trembled.
He did not even glance at the grand
| stand, but simply waited for the pitch
er-HazePs cousin and the man whose
! skyscraper he had nlissed-to throw
the sphere.
as Steve was about to enter an au-
tomobile after the game he heard his
name called and saw Hazel coming to-
ward him. She drew him to one side
and he motiC2ed for the car to leave
him.
/ She opened her mouth to speak, but
he got. ahead of her with:
! Miss NOrrin, I wish you to under
stand that got your letter all right
but 1 also want you to know that ]
didn't miss that ball on purpose in the
| eighth. I love you, just as said, but
I couldn't betray my teammates and
my school in such a dishonorable man
ner."
Her eyes glistened unnaturally, anG
one big tear started down each cheek
There was a remarkable softneSs in
her voice when she said:
81 knew you didn't try to throw The
! game, Steve. I wouldn't have had yOT
do it for the world. I said you would
have to prove that you were the kline
Of fellow I would marry, and I hope
you didn't think I could have a traitor
for a husband. If you had thrown
the game I would never have Spoken
to you again. I was almost afraid,
must confess, that you had yielded
when you missed that fly, but when yoI
you knocked that home run in thu
ninth and redeemed yourself and wol
the game for Clifton, just cried-fo
joy-as I am crying now"