Gilpin observer., 1920-11-11
victoriou. Defeat
By H. LOUIS RAYBoLD

Swathed In furs, her soft cheeks
rosy with excitement and the tang Of
the crisp fall day, Margaret Demorest
sat on the running board Of her ia
theirs luxurious car, slipping gratefully
aromatic coffee hot from the thermOs
bottle. She was thinking partly Of
the big game three hours away; part
ly of the momentous decision she had
to make some time before her re-
turn.
She had steadily refused to wear
any telltale colors or even flowers
which might be construed to indicate
preference for either team, even
though she sat with her father on
the side held by his alma mater.
The 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
Perry Endicott as quarterback, Peter
Spaulding as left tackle. Each had
begged her to let him know on this
occasion her answer to that most vi
tai of all questions, "WOuld she marry
him?"
Yet even in her heart of hearts Mar.
garet could not choose. Both were
friends Tor many years. Each offered
her much besides his heart. Perry had
more money, quantities of it, and was
in a fair way to make more with
seat in the stock exchange awaiting
him and Gny number of influential
friends. Peter had less money, but
was the descendant Of long line
of successful professional men, and
himself possessed the training and
brains and instincts to carry on their
traditions. And Margaret need never
marry for money alone. Sometimes
she wished that Perry was less hand
some and debOnair, or Peter less well
got up and rry-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.
Wrapped in his blankets, Peter
Spaulding sat huddled on the side lines
waiting the umpire's whistle. He lift
ed his gaze to the cOlorful crowded
stands opposite, where, rising tier on
tier, massed the cheering, singing null
titude, come to see him and a small
handful of men defeat or go down
under an equally meager group Of
opponents. Somewhere in that thrOng,
he knew, sat the girl Of his heart. He
visualized her from her softly curling
hair to her dainty little feet. What
wouldn't he give to call her his!
And yet he realized that beyond
question Perry Endicott whom he
lined field of battle, stood quite as
high a chance as he Of winning her.
Well, she was a prize for some one
and-the whistle CAV the signal.
Throwing off the BILE .ket, Peter ran
with his companions to position. The
crowd of spectators waited alert, ex-
cited. The game was on.
At the end of the third period the
teams stood tied. Margaret clasped
and unclasped her fingers in the shell
ter of her huge muff. Her father, his
cigar tipped at an angle which sug-
gested jaunty hopes, was confident that
the trick would be turned in the final
period. If he was right, thought his
daughter. Perry Endicott would come
to her for his answer with ell the
subtle influence exerted by the man
who has won.
Oddly enough, Peter at the same mo-
ment, surreptitiOusly nursing strained
ankle, was thinking the same thing.
And Margaret's father was right. In
the midst of the pandemonium Mar
garet. her hands beating tattoo with
her muff on her mothers arm, saw the
tumbling yellow ball picked up by a
man she presently realized was Perry
Endicott and borne, all obstacles swept
away, behind the goal post 20 yards
down the field.
touchdown! Touchdown! Touch
down! Endlcott! Endicott! 'Rah!
'Rah! 'Rah! The crowd involun-
tarily brought to Its f, ct when the ball
first hit the ground, went wild. The
last rays of the sun. setting red In
the west, shonc on thousands of wav-
ing flags and pennants and released
balloons. Peggy clapped her gloves
In ribbons.
"Wonderful, isn't it?" murmured
Peggy's mother, little later. as the
triumphant stream Of men flowed zig
tagging within the stadium in shout
Ing, surg singing. hat-throwing ee-
stasy.
"Yes, indeed. 1t is!" agreed Mar
gnret. She was telling herself that
the decision had been taken out Of
her 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