Evening star., 1935-10-27

TRoM the beginning he protested stren-
IL uously against her folly.
"Son," said Lydia Markham. why
did l. a lone widow. raise young man
like you, if am not to be allowed few
privileges? You say you can't afford to play
. football. say you can't afford not to, with
your ability. 1t isn't just the fun, the sport
It's the opportunities, the contacts ="
But. mother -"
'Of course you can't stoke furnaces and
what-not while the season is on. Your sum-
mer earnings. you say, will carry you past
that time for actual needs, but you must have
clothes and things - I'd want you to be bet
ter than presentable i if you are to travel
with the team from New York to New Orleans
perhaps even to California ~
II can see America later"
Lydia's blue eyes shone upon her gorgeous,
growing man-child. She was five feet two
inches tall if she stretched He stood six feet
one in his socks. flat of stomach, slim in the
hips, but with the chest and shoulders of a
eprize-fghter. Above that he was clear Keyed,
iresf-hued, very young - and oh, so wise!
-NlO Sell-SdCrlIClng. AnQ brave.
i've saved this little bit of money Please"
From lamp-shade commissions? Show it
to me!''
Draw out hundred dollars in cash - to
encourage pickpockets? Besides. Bob if some
thing doesn't fit or it proves defective, it can
be returned much more easily on charge
account than if it has been paid for. Come on.
Well have shopping tour. Wen stretch the
money and finish with lunch at that snappy
Rathskeller l heard about the other day.
We've had so few sprees, you and l."
But Robert remained doubtful.
81 thought you needed new winter coat"
II never buy such things before the jan
-.ary sales. Come now
But it wasn't easy to stretch the money,
even with Lydia's nose for bargains Bob's
body lines were fitted best by more expensive
models. She had expected possibly to pay
thirty dollars for suit on sale, but the cheap
est one that looked well on him cost forty-one
1t was dark gray worsted. Years of buy
ing had taught Lydia that the material was
sturdy, that theseams weresecme and straight.
1t might have been made to order for the boy.
To see him in it, you'd never have dreamed
that he had ever got up at AM. to 60 out
and start milk route, that he had ever
worked in overalls in the kitchen quarters of
fraternity houses. 1t was Bob's suit.
However. there were still to be bought an
overcoat, shoes. hat. shirts perhaps Eleven
dollars was one fourth of months rent in the
apartment Lydia had to keep. so that the boy
had always home to return to- Eleven dol
lars would buy her nomishing meals for two
weeks She must eat properly. She couldn't
afford ever to be i'll.
She saw Bob looking at himself - and the
suit - in mirror.
We'll take it." said Lydia Markham.
The stadium rocked with cheers. Bands
blared crazily. Lusty young voices rose and
fell in waves of song. Feet stamped against
penetrating cold when time out was called but
forgot the weather when play was resumed.
1t was the last game of the season. 1t would
decide the championship of the Middle West.
Old State was battling an invading eleven
from the North as the climax of big home
coming week. Old State was slight favorite
to win, the odds being given because of the
flashing work of great half-back, Bob
Markham.
And when l say great, fellows, mean
great" shrieked the radio announcer. That
man is d streak"
Lydia Markham Curled up III big chair