The Elk Mountain pilot., 1921-03-10
THE VICTORY
BY HAZEL v. PARIS.

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(@ 1871. by Mcclure Newspaper syndicate.)
The game was nearly over when
Jack received a pass the length of the
floor and, cleverly lodging Ringe, the
opposing guard. made a pretty basket.
The enthusiastic audience cheered
wildly. As he ran forward. at the
next tossup. and received the ball, the
big guard fairly ran him across the
floor. and giving him the brunt of his
shoulder. sent him crashing against
the brick wall of the gymnasium.
When Jack awoke next morning in
the college infirmary and tried TO sit
up he found his leg in cast. stiff
and swollen boy swore softly at his
fate. The game with Banford was
only two weeks distant Just then
the door opened and in came the
nurse OF course Jack realized she
was young and pretty. but he only
groaned: How soon will be out of
this harnsss?"
"Oh, soon"
"How long is thatr'
Wouldn't you like your mail7" She
didn't appear to hear. 'Or the cards
that came with theser indicating sew
eral vases Of flowers.
Jack turned his face toward the
wall just as the doctor entered, and
Miss Kimball, with a distressed ex-
preston. started for the door. Here,
boy, what's this? Sulking so soon?
Nurse can't help it."
'Doc, is there any chance that l
can play against Banford?"
mot one. That leg'll be in cast
for three weeks yet" Assuming
gentler tone, Sorry for you, Knowl-
ton. I played not SO many years ago.
Now do not take 1t out on Miss KIM
ball. You fellows, when you come
here. get too impertinent. It's not the
fault of the nurses and doctors that
you kill each other. Be as decent as
you can to Miss Kimball. She's new
to the work, and we want to make
her happy. Pretty. isn't she?" with
a twinkle in his eye.
Jacks only answer was another
groan.
For days Jack grumbled and sulked,
not because he was in pain. but be
cause he was eager to get back to
the gym" to practice. At other times
he responded to nurses efforts to
cheer him and apologized winningly
for previous bad temper. She, on the
other hand. read and coaxed, ar
ranged flowers and gossiped, in fact
did everything she could to keep her
patient in good humor. Fraternity
brothers returned to the house with
the report that Jacks all cut up,
poor chap. All he thinks of is the
Banford game. But say, he has a
peach of a nurse"
The day of the big game finally
came. and Jack eagerly read numer-
GUS accounts; statistics, lineups, criti-
Gins. His heart sank as he saw that
betting was three to one against his
team. At five o'clock the sub-captain.
Allen, Ga frat" brother and a
'freshie") came In.
"Don't take 1t so hard. old boy.
We're bound to win."
when you're my age. you won't
be SO blamed optimistic" growled
Jack.
"Well, you're to know the score at
the end of the halves. The big bugs
here said 1t was bother, but Doc
insisted. Say. you oughtn't to be
envying you" He winked signif-
cantly.
Slowly the hands Of the clock
dragged around to eight. Several
times Miss Kimball came in, once
with an armful of flowers.
"Your friends haven't forgotten
you"
Room looks like q funeral. Way
feel. Lucky Fm<on the third floor
and weighted down."
She nodded alphabetically. but
even the pretty curl escaping from
under her white cap didn't compen-
safe for the lump In Jacks throat.
His night The night he had looked
forwaed to for three long years. since
he'd been a freshman "sub." and next
year he'd be-his thoughts trailed of.
Then he groaned. He not thereI
Perhaps that "sub" was fumbling
Then he tossed bit. turned to the
wall and sobbed violently. Gradual
he fell Into restless sleep. punctu-
a'e6 by more or less connected and
vehement AT hoy! Go. 1t. Allen !
Wee got EN- Steady there. Aver.
sreaav'"
As rhe door opened suddenly he
u with start.
"sh I'm sorryw exclaimed the
oof
enr ?"
eve m. Fourteen to twelve"
body relaxed. and with
r Ms yell he threw off the
~il wake the othersl"
hn ly laughed. held her hand.