The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1921-03-07
THE VICTORY
BY HAZEL V. PARIS.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
90 1921 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 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 infrmary and tried TO sit
up he found his leg in cast. A stif
and swollen boy swOre softly at his
fate. The game with Banford was
only two weeks distant Just then
tile door opened and in came the
nurse. OF course Jack realized she
was young and pretty, but he only
groaned How soon will l be out OF
this harnessY"
"Ob, soon"
"How long Is that?'
Wouldn't you like your mallT She
didn't appear TO hear "Or the cards
that came with thesef" 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 |
can play against BanfordT
"Not one. That leg'll be in cast
for three weeks yet Assuming a
gentlcr tone, Sorry for you, Knowl-
ton / played not so many years ago.
Now do not take it out on Miss Kim
ball. You fellows, when YOU come
here, get too impertnent. 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 sheT with
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 10 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 nurse"
The day Of the big game finally
came. and Jack eagerly read numer-
Gus accounts; statistics, uneups, criu-
! 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
"fresbie') came in.
Don't take it so hard, old boy.
We're bound to win
when you're my age, you won't
be so blamed optimistic" growlcd
Jack
well, you're to know the score at
the end of the halves, The big bugs
here said It was bother, but Doe
insisted. Say you oughtn't to be
lonesome here. The fellows are all
envylng you" He winked signld-
canHy.
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"
Groom looks like funeral. Way
I feel. Lucky I'm on the third floor
and weighted down.
She nodded sympathetically, 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
forward 10 for three long years, since
he'd been freshman sub and next
wear he'd be-his thoughts trailed off
Then he groaned He not there.
Perhaps that sub was fumbling
Then he tossed bit, turned to the
wall, and sobbed violently. Gradual
", tired by the strain of many days
he fell into restless sleep, punctu
ated by more or less connected and
vehement. "'At n boy Go it, Allen,
We've got 'em Steady there, Aver
steadyw
As the door opened suddenly he
awoEe with n start
~