Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1921-09-16
Winner in the Game
of Hearts
By HAROLD SINCLAIRE
10. 1921, Western Newspaper Union, }

PLAY ball |" the umpire's voice rang
out, and two games were on, one be-
tween the Yellow Feet and the Black
Flags, and the other between Maisie
Laughlin and Bessie Houston. In the
first game pennant was in question;
in the latter the happiness Of two,
If not three lives.
Ralph Thurston, the star twirler of
the Black Flags, was in the box, for
the Yellow Feet had the first half,
and two pairs Of eyes were fastened
on his flushed face.
Realizing that he must put all
thoughts Of these two out of his
mind, Thurston put several quick, hot
ones over the plate, following with
low grounder, and had his man out.
without strike. The next two were
easy, and the Yellow Feet were re-
tired In one, two, three order. The
Black Flags, however, failed to con-
meet with any Of Compton's balls, and
he was congratulated by his team
as he, too, registered the same score.
This followed for three innings not
n strike was called on either side, al
though there were several balls, and
then Thurston went into the box for
the first Of the fourth inning. As he
ran down field he caught sight of Mai
sizes waving handkerchief, and imme-
diately the old problem confronted
him. 1t unsteadled his arm so that
when the catcher slgnaled for an out
curve he sent over straight one.
The man at bat found this soft, and
he sent 1t soaring down past center,
easily reaching second before the ball
was captured.
After this followed series Of blum
ders by him that made the captain and
manager rave.
All the while the real cause Of this
disturbance lay in his pocket. 1t con-
sisted Of two notes, one signed Maisie,
the other Bessie. Each girl invited
him to spend the evening in her COM
pany.
Finally the first half Of the ninth
was reached. The score stood to !,
in favor OF the visitors Instead Of
the usual cheering and applause which
had greeted Thurston as he ran to the
| box, there came dead silence more
expressive than any demonstration.
He gritted his teeth, clenched his
fists until the fingers bit into the
palms of his hands, then began pitch
ing with all his old-tlme vigor. AS
in the first inning, he put the men
out in one, two, three order, and the
grand stand went wild with Joy. The
Yellow Feet were not worried, how
ever, and indifferently trotted out In
to the field. A sneer dishgured Comp
tons face as he swung his arm, but
it changed to something else when
Gryce, the captain OF the Black Flags,
struck out home run. This ratified
the man in the box, for he let the
next man get to second on line
drive that easily passed left field, and
the third took his base on balls. Thurs
I ton then came to hat. His two-bag-
ger brought in another run and put
man on second. The next man
hunted, and three bases were filed.
The score was now 4 to 3, with all
bases filed. The manager, Gordon.
was the next man at bat but he
famed out, as did the next. Then
came Burchell who always managed
a two-bagger. His ball rose grace
fully, scared out and over the head
Of right field, and the men began eat
ing up the ground to get home. Just
az the man from third began to slide,
the ball fell into the glove of the
right fielder, and the pennant be-
longed to the yellow Feet.
Sulenly Thurston changed to his
street clothes, then wrote his resig-
nation. The manager took 1t, saying
tartly:
"All right, If you feel that way"
II guess all of you feel that my
room is better than my company"
Thurston said sourly, as he slouched
out Of the club house, hands deep in
his pockets, head bent down. Just as
he emerged an automobile dashed by.
In 1t were several Of the cheering
Yellow Feet and Maisle. In the sec
ond of passing she tossed her head,
looking at him with unbared con
tempt.
Don't run over me, Ralph" and
starting, he saw Bessie smiling up
at him, although her eyes we're red
with tears Of disappointment.
"Bess," Ralph said, catching her
hand and gripping 1t hard, I'm a
plker; went up in the air on this
game, honest"
Everyone does that sometimes
she said softly.
I say, Bess," he asked sheepishly,
II wonder II you'd be afraid Of me
in another kind Of gamer" and Bees
sic understood. She answered, as they
walked slowly towards the street cars:
mot yet. Ralph; I'll root for you
always"