The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-10-20
Et,eningStory
A Victorious Defeat.
BY H. LOUIS RAYROLD.

| sat on the running board OF her faith
er's luxurious car, slipping gratefully
aromatic coffee hot from the thermos
/ bottle. She was thinking partly of the
big game three hours away; partly of
the momentous decision she had to
make some time before her return.
| She had steadily refused to wear
any tell-tale colors or even flowers
which might be construed to indicate
a preference for either team, even tho
she sat with her father on the side
held by his alma mater.
| This decision was forced upon her,
! so to speak, by the odd coincidence
that the two most persistent suitors
/ for Margaret's fair hand were to play
that afternoon on opposite sides-Per-
ry Endicott as quarterback, Peter
SpauIding as left tackle. Each had
begged her to let him know on this
occasion her answer to that most vital
of all questions, Would she marry
| him.
Yet even in her heart of hearts Mar
garet could not choose. Both were
| friends for many years. Each offered
her much beside his heart. Perry had
more money, quantities of it, and was
in a fair way to make>'1more with
seat in the stock exchange awaiting
him and any number of influential
dsfriends Peter had less money, but
twas the descendant of a long line OIL
successful professional men, and him
self possessed the training and brains
/ and instincts to carry on their trad1-
tions. And Margaret need never mar
nv for money alone. Sometimes she
| wished that Perry was less handsome
and debonair. or Peter less well got up
and merry eyed-anything to swing
the balance.
She sighed as she settled back be-
meath the robes as the chauffeur
swung the car back into the unbroken
! line of traffic headed for the greatest
game of the season.
1 Wrapped in his blanket. fetel
| Spaulding sat huddled on the side lines
waiting the umpire's whistle He MI,
| ed his gaze to the colorful crowoeo
| stands opposite, where, rising TIER on
tier, 'massed the cheering, singing Ieui II
| titude come to see him ana siilo .
handful of men defeat or go cow
under an equally meager group OF Up
moments. Somewhere in that tnrons'
| he knew, sat the girl of his heart. ne
visualized her from her softly curIins
hair to her dainty little feet. "has
| wouldn't he give<to call her ms!
| And vet he realized that beyond
oues+ion Perry Endicott, whom ne
would presently see out on the wnlte
1;ned field of battle, stood quite as hlgh
| a chance as he of winning her Weh'
she was a prize for some one and
| the whistle gave the signal Throwing
I off his blanket, Peter ran WIN ne
| COMPANIONS to position. The up-toeo
multitude waited, alert, eAclee"'
game was on.
At the end of the third period the
leans stood tied. Margaret claspeo
land unclasped her fingers in the snei-
ter of her huge muff. Her father' ms
cigar tipped at an angle which sug-
gested jaunty hopes, was confioent
| that the trick would be turned IN the
| final period. If he was right. thought
his daughter, Perry SEnd.cott would
come to her for his answer with al
the subtle influence exerted by the
man who has won.
Oddly enough, Peter at the same
moment, surreptitiously nursing
strained ankle, was thinking the same
thing.
And Margaret's father was right. In
the midst of pandem onium Margaret,
her hands beating = tattoo with her
muff on her mothers arm, saw the
tumbli1g yellow ball picked up
| by man she presently realized was
Perry Endicott and borne, all obstacles
swept away, behind the goal post
twenty yards down the field.
Touchdown Touchdown! Touch
downl Endicott, Endicott, Ray Ray!
Ray. The crowd, involuntarily brought
to it's feet when the ball first hit the
ground, went wild. The last rays of
the sun, setting red in the west, shone
on thousands of waving flags and PEN
nants and released balloons Peggy
clapped her gloves in ribbons.
Wonderful, isn't it?' murmured
Peggy's mother, a little later, as the
triumphant stream of men flowed zig
tagging within the stadium in shout.
ing, singing. hat-throwing> ecstasy.
Yes, indeed, 1t is" agreed Mar
garet. She was telling herself that the
n tel r IL - ~
hands. There was no question as to
whom she wished to marry.
Lets hunt up Perry she said to
her father. Without much difficulty
they found him presently in the midst
of joyous bunch. He broke away to
greet them, but was evidently i'm
patient to get back.
Great game, wasn't. it?" he replied
to their congratulations well. the
others didn't stand a show when they
bucked up agains- our little team
What are your plans? The fellows are
giving the team a sort of love feast,
and I've got to be there. of course.
I'll see you later somewhere" With
nothing more definite than that, he
was off
Potter they found an hour or so later.
Why, Peggy" he cried. land Mrs
Domorest! I've been hunting the
whole place over for yea Great game.
wasn't it? Sorry we lost, but the
other team was a crackerjack and we
were simply outplayed. Great stunt
Perry pulled off, But let's forget
about the game. Can't 1 take you out
somewhere? How about dinner at the
hotq? 1 reserved table for just such
an emergency"
Hours later he and Peggy stood
apart from the crowd gathered about
the mighty. midnight bonfire, sending
skyward its smoky symbols of victory
Watching the other fellows cele-
oration isn't very cheering" he said
Let's CO." Wandering along the
quieter paths of the back campus they
found a deserted stone bench in the
corner of the massive memorial arch.
L want to ask you something,
Peggy, he began as they sat down
Wait" said Peggy. gently. Be
fore YOU ask it let me tell Yor that I