The Washington times., 1932-01-09
Ordeal ---Another Gripping Story Of
Love and Youth By John Held, L.

WlllluB AROUND GIle OUTSIDE Oh
the stadium. They passed swift
ly back and forth. Some car.
ried folded lap robes and extra
coats The boys we're solicitous
of their game date foot in the
autumn dust. The girls all gave
. the impression of wearing new
outfits. Many had punches of
lilieS-of-the-valley fastened to
their fur coats. Many more
might have had bouquets had
the florists supply been able
to meet the demand. To ask
date to wear anything but lilies
of-the-valley was to break an
unwritten law, and was pun
ishable by the death penalty.
Besides it was bad taste.
Groups of solitary males
waited at the portals. They
we're Joined from time to time
by their female companions,
who came up adjusting their
hair and hats. They entered
the stadium in couples with
out speaking. Empty ginger-ale
bottles were rolled about in the
dust by passing feet. Occasion
ally there was flat empty that
didn't roll. The crisp air seemed
to be charged with restrained
voltage. The echo of a cheering
crowd Sifted over the edge Of
the cement embankment. A
band played on the inside, but
only the oompah of the BASES
could be heard.
Small whirlwinds of dust and
bits of paper came to life When
ever an opening appeared in
the passing crowd. Some timber
Scaftolding protruded from the
cement wall, as the construction
of college amphitheaterS seems
to go on forever. A project
Of this kind is like contentment
it can never arrive at the per-
feet state. The passage was
narrow between the scaffoldlng
and the wire fence enclosure,
and here the progress Of the
mob was delayed. They filtered
through with gay comments
and laughter.
The Passing Show
D. Thornton Buckley leaned
against a timber upright, watch
ing the people as they pushed
past. Buckley had foregone the
pleasures of a date for this
game. He had explained the
situation to her, and had sent
her lilies of the valley, and she
had understood and had ac-
cepted one of four other invita-
tions. Buckley's father had
written to him a month ego
that he would he up for the big
game and to be sure to reserve
seats. Buckley was watching
for his father. He hadn't seen
him for seven years. Father
had gone down TO take charge
of the Southern branch right
after mother had divorced him,
and had not exercised his priv
ilege of sharing Buckley for six
months of each year.
Buckley's father had insisted
that his son go to this college,
as it was the one he had at
tended. Here the name Dan
Buckley, '09, was still football
8 tradition. Buckley was wait
ing for dad. The dad of the
80-yard run. But he was an
old grad and Buckley was un-
comfortable.
A trio of young men stag
gered by. They staggered with
pride and imagination-not
from the half pint of gin they
had just consumed.
Hi, va, Buckley" they cried.
Hi" answered Buckley. He
pushed back the cuff of his
fur coat and looked at his
watch. Il wonder if he
couldn't make it. No, he'd
have wired me if he wasn't COM
ing"
whats the troub, Buckley?
Didn't the old gentleman
show?" asked a passing frater.
nifty brother.
HE must have gotten lost"
Buckley replied.
Suddenly he was conscious
that he had been hearing a
voice calling. Hello, Danny"
for some time, when a middle
aged man suddenly burst
through the crowd and fairly
bowled him over with a strong
embrace.
Cad. Dan, it's good to see
you. How have you been?"
Buckley squirmed at being
embraced; when his father re-
leased him, he offered his hand
formally.
"Oh, I've been fine"
"How's your mother?"
"Oh, she's well, last time she
wrote"
DO you write to her regu-
larly?"
YEAH" he answered quickly.
u u L. L