Monroe City Democrat. (Monroe City, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1919-02-21

Cill lOn tNenluB IL UP III TIC hilit' linus |
the score stood tie at the opening of |
the eighth.
The first Alton man to bat was re-
tired on pop fly to third.
But his successor hit clean Texas |
Lacquer which landed him on second.
He achieved third on sacrifice
grounder, knocked between second and
first by the next man at the plate,
Two men were out 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
OH. but not fast enough to take ii from
the air. He picked 1t 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 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 it 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.
Stoyo 1ouo;n1 oorrootlxy cou, +bot he
would not have to move more than
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 a SUI
premc confidence in him, already had
left their positions and were on the
way to the bench.
He's 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 to see Ha-
Zel's face rise before him. The sphere
bounded from his hands, and while he
chased it frantically, two Alton base
runners scored. Steve recovered the
Eall and threw 1t to second in time to
stop the Alton pitcher, but the tie was
broken. with the score to in favor
of the enemy. The next batter struck
out, and 1t was Cliftons 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
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, and the Alton mai
holding down that position scurried
back and nailed 1t; but each of the
base runners moved up a notch aftel
tho 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 will
difficulty. His face was pale. he clutch
ed his bat nervously, his lips trembled
He did not even glance at the grand
stand, but simply waited for the pitch
er-Hazel's cousin and the man who's,
skyscraper he had missed-to throw
the sphere.
As Steve was about to enter an au
tonobile after the game he heard hi
, name called and saw, Hazel coming to
ward him. She drew him to one sid
and he mOtioned for the car to leav
him.
She opened her mouth to speak, bu
he got ahead of her with:
, miss Norrin, wish you to under
, stand that got your letter all right
but / also want you to know that
didn't miss that ball on purpose in tn
, eighth. love you, just as I said, bu
! I couldn't betray my teammates an
, my school in such a dlshonorabie mar
ner."
, Her eyes glistened unnaturally, an
) one big tear started down each cheel
! There was remarkable softness /
= her voice when she said:
81 knew you didn't try to throw tn
y game, Steve. wouldn't have had 70
= do IL for the world 1 said Won Mnnl