eee Py * ‘S OF! BO Cae Issued Weekly. By Subscription, $2.50 per year. Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1907, in the office of the Librarian of Congress, Washington, D. C., by THE WINNER LIBRARY CO., 165 West Fifteenth St., New York, NV. Y. NEW YORK, JUNE 15, 1907. = Price, Five Cents yeceeed ay ONE OF THE BOY'S" He bided his opportunity, and when it came, now a weakling before him. gave him the hip throw. ae St lssued Weekly. ‘By Subscription, $2.50 per year. Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1907, tn the office of the Librarian of Congress, LIBRARY ORIES OF BOYS WHO SUCCEED a e Washington, D. C., by THE WINNER LIBRARY Co., 765 West Fifteenth St., New York, N.Y. No. 69. NEW YORK, June 15, 1907. Price Five Cents. AL LARKINS LUCK OR, The Fortune of a Plucky Princeton Athlete. By “ONE OF THE BOYS.” CHAPTER 1: THE PLOT. It was night on the campus of Princeton University, a dark, crisp, spring night. The elms and maples rustled pleasantly under a damp wind, and beneath their spreading branches there was blackness. Solitary street-lamps here ‘and there spread circles of pale illumination upon the grass. gt The great, black, still buildings showed only here and there a light, indicating rooms where some were studying dili- gently, and others, behind locked doors, were indulging in -guiet games of poker or other forbidden pleasures. 8 Set There was no moon, and, save for the dim glimmer of an occasional street-lamp, all out of doors was intensely dark. It was also intensely silent, a fit time for a hazing expedi- tion. Under a clump of trees near Edwards Hall, a popular dormitory building a little apart from the campus proper, crouched six young men. They were dressed in black and wore their caps pulled closely down over their eyes. Three of them lay flat upon the ground, their figures -hidden by the grass and the dense shadows of the trees. Ywo others crouched behind tree-trunks. The sixth, a youth of a secretive and, some might think, an unpleasant type of face, but of fine muscular figure, was, at this moment, creeping back on hands and knees from a -reconnoitering tour. “S-s-t, Billy; how does the ground lie?’ of the three in the grass. “Hush!” said Billy, and he suddenly dropped ‘flat and motionless upon the ground. The reason for this behavior became immediately ap- parent. ‘A large bearded man in a simple uniform with brass buttons ‘appeared from behind the corner of the building. He stopped and peered into the darkness. The six boys held their breath. The proctor, for it was the chief official employed by the university to preserve order and prevent hazing and other forbidden ani: stepped quietly back into the shadow of the building and listened intently. The minutes passed. It seemed like half an hour to the anxious six. Then he walked directly toward the clump of trees where they lay. Here he stopped and again listened. It was an exciting moment. Had he gone three steps farther he would have stumbled over the breathless figure of Billy Webster. “Strange,” he said to himself, “I could have sworn I heard talking here a few minutes ago.” He was so close that the boys heard his self-addressed words. Then he walked away in-the direction of the quadrangle, a maple-shaded square, of which we. shall hear much later on. Several silent minutes passed. whispered one When at length the echoes Se ee _ SERENE EES Se aa sarees peer v \ Z MIGHT. AND of his receding fo cotsteps were stilled, Webster drew himself into a sitting posture and indulged in a long breath, “A close call,” he whispered. it was,’ Said Frank Adams. “Three minutes ago saw six noble sophomores ignominiously collared Ds the faculty.” have gone hard with us,” said eines when: the faculty is wagin nt these said. Will Mapleso said Goodwin. of expulsion,” vell out .of it, muttered Webster angrily. “If you like a baby. As for me, I’m deter- if Ivhave to do it alone.” + Ay arkin, 4 have doing it alone,’ retorted nen sed Webster, Ip sttaight- enching his SES _ dc oT see what t for the fun : t. in this why you “hecause— well, inks because he cg Page tt othet Seas wink \ Oh 3 corto s “This “Tl f admit he’s a good At, and ti But he’s 1 dike: Tal of talk- th cover of the Midnight h. Only was just one light Tt was from door. s his room, isn’t s he doing up so late, 6 “Nr 4 a a Wach? 2 - ‘provided he hasn't got a Suhile, quietly wine ut. contemplative cr ~_ LY ios sash and the curt Then he foweree a4 POE: Te were tain, All alone,” mu bs “put you won't be alone very long, my little treshie, Six fr i nds ate coming to see you, ard how you. will ce for them, eh? 1 can see you already standing in a corner and reciting Latin verse for C six dear friends : And T wonder how youll bear it when your six friends empty your wate es into ‘your bed and then you black their boots for them. Say, lic the scissors ?”’ = 1 make ad MAIN $0 fond OT too,” away in ca irefully labeling it, fake it to the campus bulletin-board for the ica on of his fellow freshies.”’ “Better disguise your faces. tell tales turn ne faces in such a manner as to t a U LIBRARY, “Yes, and he I miss that pretty little mustache that He 8 ’ said Goodwin, . “to bring his mustache carefully : and, after mt intend,” said Webster, an envelope, glue it to a piece of paper, The six conspirators now cautiously entered the building. ‘hey listened-in the lower hall. Absolute silence reigned. “Rig yourselvés up now, quick,’ whispered Webster. He is contemptible enough to , in my opinion,” It took only a few moments for the six sophomores to their coats inside out and tie handkerchiefs about Peat cover their fea- -s and still enable them to see. ‘Then they crept softly up fe stairs and stopped in front of Hal Larkin’s door. Number ten Edwards Hall was as pleasant a room as one — could wish to see. It was small and cozy. An open fireplace in one corner promised cheerful evenings during a vigorous winter. A well-stocked bookcase étood near a table dit- tered with papers and college notes. Bright, inexpensive. pictures covered the walls, and a single bed was: shut off from view by cheap but tasteful curtains. That the owner of this room was a-lad of cultivated tastes was shown by the choice literature that filled the book- | shelves. That he was in very modest circumstances was ptoved by the inexpensiveness of all the furnishings, in strong contrast an the richness of many college rooms, among them that of the sophomore Webster, whose father was ill Street nabob worth many millions. That he was a lover of home was indicated by ae prominence with which were displayed the pictures of his father, mother, brother, and sister. That he was an athlete was shown by the collection of bats and balls in one corner, the tennis- rackets crossed on the wall, and the lacrosse-stick resting upon pegs over his mantel. It was ten o'clock at night, and Hal Larkin sat. at his desk. An open book was before him, and a Greek lexicon was at e side: Now and then he stopped studying to yawn. Finally he pushed back his books, 1 ose to his. Teer, and) | stretc hie d Aaa wr He was a. manly-loc feb) —_ a ~y > oe i fellow of eighteen, with a strong, frank face, square chin, good-humored mouth, much inélined : to smile, and direct, fearless, eyes Fie was of. somewhat more than medium height and of a powerful, closely knitted eae in, goo figure. In his clothes: ne looked but little more than an’ average boy of his oF , but when stripped for the gym- n sitely iene proportions proved a reve- yasium his exquis ie on. He could 1 not be blamed for a modest, manly pride in his strength, and now he pulled up his. shirt-sleeves, fixed his great musc he: and patted it aff seco ately. There was a hearty knock at the door, and, hastily pulling down his sleeve, Hal slid back the latch. fello, Joe Blake,” he said, “I’m glad to. see you. And you, , too, Pr ce Baldwin. And if here isn’t Jim eget fresh from his Greek roots, I’ be bound.” As-he shook each by the hand and pointed out seats, he. vin, “What a crowd to go calling together this time of night! Here’s. a baseball pitcher; a loafer, and a first-honor man!” “Well,” said Baldwin, the one designated the loafer, “we all Sionened to meet on the campus, and, being all freshmen, © we stopped to that. © This baseball crank here; Blake, of course, got other day, and, of course, your particular chum, Halloway, proposed to drop over and see you before turning in,’ “I’m mighty glad you did,” said Hal heartily. “I’ve beg polling this confounded Greek till my head is dizzy, and. a little chat will do me good.” to talking about your big over-the-fence hit the | a “Say, 1 heard. a good one on Webster, of the sophomore class, this afternoon,” said Baldwin. “Another story, eh?” laughed Hal. ..“I don’t know how | Se ee ea as eet ase oh s0 se aie “You are going to play next fall, aren’t you? have it.” “Why, he led a gang of sophs that tried to haze little Pete Sullivan last night, and Pete was up to the game. He opened the transom and dumped a whole pitcher of water on Webster’s head. Drenched him to the skin.” “Served him right,” said Halloway: “I’ve got no use for hazing myself. I think it is low and unmanly.” “That's because you're a freshman, perhaps,” laughed Frank, “and so are among those to be hazed. When you're a sophomore, perhaps you'll change your tune.” “No, he won't,” put in Hal energetically. “I'll answer for him. I look upon hazing as a downright, contemptible, and unmanly kind of business. Imagine five or six pitching upon one and forcing him to do all sorts of servile and ‘ridiculous things! Whatever little influence I have in our class in sophomore year will be exerted against any such practises,’: “How many of our fellows have the sophomores hazed so far?” asked Halloway. *Lnree,. so far as 1 can find. out,” said. Frank Baldwin: “T notice that they always choose small, slight men. They haven't tried it on you, have they, Hal?” “Not much,” said Hal, with an angry flush rising to his ‘temples. “What would you do if they tried it?” asked Frank. curi- _ ously. “What every manly man would do,” responded Hal promptly. “I should fight to the last gasp. They would § Sas } doubtless overpower me, but I should do my level best.” “Well,” said Halloway sadly, ‘that is naturally what a fellow of your physical vigor would do. I am anything but strong myself, and I suppose they would have their way with me’ “By the way, Hal,” said Blake, “why didn’t you go in for football last fall? Nobody knew what a good man you were.” “Well,” said Hal, “I thought it all over, and decided not to.” “T think you made a great mistake.” “Why oe “Because you are a born athlete, and ought to make a splendid player.” “Baseball is my game. I never played football.” “What of that? Most of those who get on the eleven have never played before coming to college. I saw you kicking drops on the campus the other day, and, by the way you handled the ball, I am sure you would pick it up very quickly. They're al- ready making preparations.” “No,” Hal said, with decision, “I am not going to play next ‘fall, either.” “Why not?” Hal flushed slightly, then said: “Well, I might as well tell you and be done with it. I haven’t got the time. I have made up my mind to give # every minute I can get hold of to Greek and Latin.” “Pshaw,’ exclaimed Frank Baldwin, “that is silly. You'll get through all right, and play, too. Look at me. I’m hav- ing a good time and not troubling myself a bit about study, but I manage to get through.” “You don’t understand,” Hal said, flushing again. “All you fellows are pretty well off in a money way. That is, your fathers can afford to send you to college. Mine can't, ‘sand when I came here it was with the knowledge that after my freshman year I would have to earn part of my ex- penses. Now, there’s only one way to do it, and that is to coach or tutor fellows who get behind and can afford to pay for help to catch up. There’s a good deal of that done in college, and a smart man can pick up considerable money. But l’ve got to stand among the very first men in the class at the final examinations, so as to have a reputation for scholarship to trade upon, and next year i ve got to keep it MIGHT AND MAIN we'd ever get along without Frank and his yarns. Well, let’s up. There, now you know why I won’t play football. -Base- ball doesn’t take so much time, so I can afford to go in for thats ¢ ; ~. ‘Well, of course, if you’re situated that way,” said Blake, after a pause, “you are right. But I’m very sorry. I’m going to try, and I was hoping you would join me.” . “What's the latest cane-spree news?’ asked Halloway, who, it spite of his frail physique, hard study, and high standing, took intense interest in all that was going on. “Why,” said Frank, “the sophomores are boasting that we haven’t got a man in the freshman class to match against Webster.” “Is he such an expert?” asked Hal. “Well, last year, as a freshman, he took his cane from tie best man in the then sophomore class in less than five min- utes. He’s as strong as an ox, and as quick as a cat.’ “Say, Hal, why don’t you try him?” It was Halloway asked it. “Why, indeed?’ echoed Blake. you are just the man. before.” “TP” queried Hal, “why, I’ve never given the cane-spree any particular thought. I’ve never practised, and don’t ex- pect to go into it. Webster, on the other hand, was an ex- pert last year, as Frank has just told you, and all this win- ter he’s been acting as trainer to the class. It would be fool- ish for me to try him. Beside, he outweighs me.” “How much?” “My weight is 152. ten pounds more.” “Easily,” said Blake, “and every pound of it is good bone and muscle, too. He’s a very powerful fellow.” “Flow are the cane-spree arrangements coming along?” “So far,’ said Frank, “there have been thirty-one matches made. So Jenks, the junior, told me, and he is really run- ning the whole thing for our side.” “How does Jenks think it will come out?” “Well, he looks upon twelve canes as sure for the fresh- men, and upon thirteen as sure for the sophomores. That leaves six that may turn out either way, beside the match with Webster, if any one can be found in our class who is a fair match for him. Of course, the Webster match would be one of the three preliminary big fights.” And so they chatted until eleven o'clock, when the vis- itors left. For some time Hal sat in deep thought, revolving his. plans and the revelations of university life over in his mind. ‘Then he wrote a letter home, and gazed for a time out of the window. Just before he stepped into bed he heard a gentle knock at the door. A knock at this hour of the night surprised Hal, but did not arouse his suspicions. “Come in,’ he called cheerily, and hastened to unlatch the outer door, which was separated from the room by a private entry, about four feet long. As he did so the door was pushed violently open from without, nearly knocking him over, and several young men entered swiftly and silently. Perhaps it was the talk about hazing an hour before that had prepared Hal’s mind for this onslaught, or perhaps it was merely his naturally quick grasp of situations, a quality that stood him in good stead in more thansone emergency, as we shall see later on. At all events, the door had scarcely pushed him from his balance before he understood it all, and the instant he top- pled he pulled himself to his feet with a bitter determina- tion to repel with all the force he possessed the onslaught of the sophomores. He found himself in the grasp of two young men, while four others were crowding in from the hall. One seized him by the collar and the other by the left arm, and all six pushed with.all their might. - But Hal’s first instinct had been to close the inner entry “Why, it seems to me Strange nobody has thought of you I should think he would easily weigh LIBRARY. | 3 ea SG SES SRSA RY ee i ‘MIGHT AND MAIN LIBRARY. hand had accidentally found the knob as he fell, raised himself he latched the door. ‘em out of the room,” he muttered to himself, in the hostile grasp till he succeeded in g his "back squarely against the knob. Ee cried Webster, in a hoarse whis- as. “Get him ‘in his room.: We. can't He'll yell and wake the ee him “out here. Hal by the > Knob.” 1 triumphantly. 1 Edwards,” whis- reached out for , who had col ilar. | can’t reach the . eb ia a very 7, DUE com- mores had taken extinguish the , Hal’s inner door me from his room, } { was oo braced AS eee LPS TIE Tt moment ped all. who were his room, In the un- : narrow entry, o to eng it t once, As yet he om the rear, Ly oe me get at sort hit- 1 taunt- yy he Jow | look felt a hand to be:a left hand, he struck s I spot where he ju 44 a hard blow ck with power, surprised and vas. momenta- ant thud that fo nA s upo to. a He ly availed of it. imself against the door at the sa me time stri- | tactic ics told: Phe oe king out mores harder, < entry, in the With the quickness the entry, and slamm C And ee iS laughed. I a gay, derisive laugh. He py his | moment the entire a was ou ede the o ligt a 4 nto d beat you at tennis, dozen sophomores.” for it dearly,” 4 replied an Hal went into his room, and calmly to bec The six hazers, finding themesel, res defeated, has d from the building on tiptoe, and gathered for consu in the grove. ‘That was a hard cra Adams. “Where did it la: “Right over the eye,’ oar Webster grimly. Then he clenched his fist, and added, in a voice choked with anger: gave you, Billy,’ said Frank 2 eo 2 v “He will repent it. I will haze that freshman yet ! gret the day he even decided to come to Princeton.’ “Why, you're not going to try again to-night?” asked George Goodwin, in surprise. “Tm not, eh? You don’t know me. blow will go unrevenged?”’ “T think we'd better go home,’ fellow’s on his guard now.” “You go if you're afraid,” said Webster. here and have it out if I’m expelled for it.” “But what are you going to do? He won't open his door he and if we break it open the proctor and the whole col- will be down on us.” . Well, you do as you like,” he finally said, “but 1am going to get into that fellow’s room and haze him within an hour.” “How will you get in?” Webster led the way to the front of the building, and | pointed to Hal’s window. It was on the second floor. The. arch of the front door was just below it, a difficult, but quite - possible, climb. a “That way,” he said. At that minute the light in the room was + putin enianed “Vill give him half an hour to go to sleep, and you fel- lows can come with me, or go home, just as you please,” said Webster. He'll ge- Do you think that said Will Mapleson. “The “I shall stay CHAPTER II. A PRISONER OF WAR. And thus it happened that a second assault was made upon 7} Hal Larkin’s room that night. 4 The plan was carefully laid. Will Webster was to make the daring climb to the window, enter it, creep softly across the room to the door and let in the others, who would be waiting in the hall. The hazing would then be accomplished. Unfortunately for the sophomores, though it was after one o'clock when the attempt was made, Hal. was not‘ ye asleep. The struggle in the dark had resulted in a strained | wrist-tendon, that became very painful after he retired: He | bathed it with cold water to little effect, and again got into § bed, only to toss restlessly with sleepless eyes. 7 He thought over the events of the night with some sense | of satisfaction, and tried to identify his assailants. This was quite impossible. He had not been able to dis- tinguish even a form, much less a feature, in the darkness. But one of the voices, that of the man whom he had struck, had sounded strangely familiar to him. Notwith-\ standing the suppressed hoarseness of the whisper, he was | confident he had heard it before, and in some way he asso- ciated it ne the baseball-field. : “T wish T knew who he was,” he murmured to himself, a “for I feel sure Vill hear from that fellow again, and I like to know whe my enemies are. I'll look for black eyes in the sophomore. class to-morrow, oe it certainly was no slap I gave him.” pe While Hal was thus tossing restlessly, and thinking about the exciting events of the night, he thought he heard a noise at the window. He lay ‘perfect ly still for a few mo- ments, and then, accusing himself of nervousness, rolled over on his side. But ee the noise was heard, and Hal sat up in we in| time to catch a glimpse of a human form stealthily efitering. His light was .exting ee but from the glimmer of a street-lamp some distance without Hal made out the sil houette of a fine- belt uth, of catlike activity, wearing a coat turned it oy out, and a cap pulled well over his eves As he watched, the intruder thrust his head and. shoulder , looked cautiously about, listened for a few seconds, an vaulted over the sill. He landed noiselessly, and for a m ment stood in the attitude of strained attention. Then he began to tiptoe toward the door. - Cy (i oa US Ir tLe e -BRARY. IN LI < as! 4 a fal’s u~ for min AND H intr d sm eeding sed the in his t pos MI s pro p AL Sut IO%1 qs HA 4 ae a + t st he ent: a! sment Mme teaven's + TO 1T1¢ ble nd weapc eaceak one coi D 6 MIGHT AND proctor, now far from pleasantly disposed toward him, per- sisted in making him the scapegoat of his own incompe- tence? What would be done to him? Hazing on the part of the sophomores, and wild pranks on the part of the freshmen had become so common that the faculty had lately taken a vigorous stand, and threatened to expel ‘the next victim caught. Hal already foresaw the end of his college-career. He was sure it would break his mother’s heart. And yet, could he tell of the hazing? The fault was not his. He was the victim, not the offen- der. Besides, he could not name any one. He did not even know himself who the hazers were. He felt strongly tempted to square himself by telling the true story of the night’s en- counters. But, no, he could not. Such a course did not anes to his sense of boyish honor. He told himself that it would not be the manly part to tell tales, even on ut oe assailants, They were college men. That was enough to seal his lips. And then there was another question. if he did tell of the hazing, would he be believed? He felt sure that the fac- ulty would ask the proctor about it, and the proctor, to cover his own ignorance, and also to make good the charges against Hal himself, would probably declare the story all a myth, invented as an excuse. Hal had no proof of it. And he strongly suspected that the proctor was an unscrupulous man. “Tve got him down on me now,” he ‘And I’m afraid he’s a bad man to quarrel with ‘ulty believes in him implicitly, and I know he’s not square.” And so the hours passed in sleepless tossings, and the gtay dawn was already stealing into the window before he sank into a brief, restless sleep. He was awakened by the ringing of the chapel-bell. Heavy-headed and perplexed, he made the hastiest of toilets, and just reached his seat in time to avoid a mark. The Greek recitation was the first event of the morning, and Hal floundered dreadfully. His translation was poor, and he sat down with the unpleasant consciousness that Pro- fessor Harper looked at him in surprise. This occasioned him even greater annoyance than his failure, for the pleasant- est relations existed between Hal and the junior professor in Greek. -It was to him that Hal went for advice in many matters beside Greek literature, and the professor took an indisguised interest in the boy’s rapid advancement. Jim Halloway, on the contrary, made a brilliant recita; tion, and as the pale, slender, spectacled student took his seat, Hal was conscious that Professor Harper again looked squarely at him. The rivalry between these two—Hal and Jim—was very warm. It was confined to the classics, Halloway easily led the class in other studies, but Hal was determined that he roe prove his superiority here. Per- haps the fact that there was a prize of $250 in cash for first honors in classics had Gases to do with Hal’s classical devotion. He needed the money, and Halloway was one of the richest boys in the class. Yet, notwithstanding this rivalry, the two were the warm- est of friends. Jim’s fine, frank, trusting nature, his gen- erosity, intellectual brilliance, and almost womanly refine- ment, drew Hal irresistibly to him, while his physical frailty appealed strongly to the protecting instinct that Hal had strongly developed in his nature. . “What was the matter with you to-day, Hal, old man?” asked Jim, after the class. “I was downright sorry to hear you flunk that way.” “Yes, you scored one on me that time,’ said Hal; “for you made a great. strike. But I know yo ae dow nright sorry, nevertheless, old boy. To tell the ea I am not my- self. Ill have to work like the dickens now to catch up with you, for I’ve no expectation of ever hearing you flunk.” “Well, all’s fair,” responded Jim. “I'll beat you out if I muttered uneasily, The fac- ¢ MAIN LIBRARY. Latin and Greek.’ SREY: can. I’m after first honors, and ’'m going to get them if possibly can.” “All right, Jim; whoever wins out, it won’t hurt our friend- __ ship in the least, will it?” ie “Your hand on that,’ said Jim heartily, and Hal. refrained’ from pressing too ‘tightly the thin, nerveless hand of his friend. “Come down to my room now; I’ve something important to lay before you. And, hello there, Joe Blake! Get Frank | Baldwin, and come down. Something important!” yz. And so the quartet of the night before reassembled in the f. same spot, and wondered much at the story Hal had to tell. The identity of the sophomores, and especially Hal’s eats prisoner, was food for much discussion. When it came to the question of what Hal should do, opin- : ions differed. Jim counseled a frank statement of the facts; J Joe advocated thrashing the proctor, and Frank proposed a ‘~ still hunt for the unknown sophomore. “T see I can’t get a really serious bit of advice out of you | fi © fellows,’ said Hal; “so I shall follow my own instincts, 2) and tell nothing. If anything happens to me { shall have an : account to priv rately settle with the proctor.”’ | “Say,” said Frank; “have you heard the latest on the | proctor ?”’ nic ‘No,’ said Jom; what is ite” i HW a ‘““He’s been telling it all over that no class has stolen the —s clapper of the bell of old Nassau Hall since he’s been here. | FF) That is so, fast enough, but. he attributes the fact to the | boys being afraid of him. I understand he has made great | capital among members of the ae by that, tale.” “Do you get that straight, Frank?’ asked Hal. “ Absolutely straight. I can’t tell i source, but I know itis a fact.” a “Then my mind is made up,” said Hal. “Made up. to what?” ‘With three good men to help me I shall steal the clapper this very night.” “a “Why, Hal,” said Jim disapprovingly; “you are not one | of the disorderly Sort,” q “Can’t help it,” exclaimed Hal recklessly. “TIl score dn ff” the proctor, and the racket will ease my feelings, which =o are just now very much upset. Come, who'll join me?” “T will,’ said Joe Blake heartily. “And 1,” said Frank. “What aijark!. And weresuch a quiet crowd nobody would suspect us for a moment.” “Jim. disapproves, I see,’ said: Hal. “Well, Joe, you get another man, and we'll meet in my room at nine o'clock to- night, and plan the raid. Get Shorty Smith. He’s plucky, and can climb like a monkey.’ So it was settled, and the talk drifted to baseball. It couldn’t help getting there, with Blake in the room. “Jupiter Pluvius!” he exclaimed; “I hope I make thé var- I’m dead sure you will, Hal, but you’ve got a strong rival in Webster, of the sophomore class. He nearly got on. in his freshman year, you know.” “How many places are to be filled?” asked Jim. “Well,” Joe replied, slowly counting off his men on his fingers; “Eddie Pie of the senior class, is dead sure +t pitch. There’s no one to match him. And I Lincoln, of he. \ 7 senior class, will catch. First and second bases are now (F . filled with sophomores, Green and Hardy respectively. Ther | i will probably stay there. Right and center field are filled by Joyce, of the junior, and Burpee, of the senior, classes. : “That leaves three places open. For short and third there f are half a dozen applicants, with Tillinghast, of the juniar i class, a pretty sure thing for short, and third probably lying between Hal and Billy Webster. Your humble aio is 4 trying his red-hot best for left field, and finds the co ' ha uncomfortably warm. h “That's the situation to-day. You'll get a when the nine is posted to play the New Yorks next Satur- an day. It’s the first practise-game of the season. Captain Lin- - : coln will want to put his best team out, you know.” cat rea she and her mother would remain over night, and he prom- ised to do so. “Tow well 1 remember the last said sentimentally. After Webster left them, with himself, Hal felt somehow that the gladness had- gone out time I called on you!” he a distant bow to Jim and Te was actually relieved to find that three o'clock of his lite. the hour for his interview with the fac- was approaching, ulty. ‘Won't you call on us this evening, too?” with a pretty smile, Had she asked this ten minutes before Hal would have accepted with a heart full of happiness, but now he declined. “T expect to be exceedingly busy to-night,” he said; “but I am awfully glad to have met you.” Mrs, Halloway pressed his hand warmly, and Hal smiled gratefully at her, His parting with Miss Halloway was quite formal. Upon leaving them he walked quickly to the front campus, that he might be alone for a few moments, and collect his thoughts before facing the faculty. But Hal found it quite impossible to collect his thoughts. ‘A sweet, girlish face, with large, tender eyes and wavy hair came continually between him and the problem, and when he forcibly put this from him the triumphant face: of Web- ster, the sophomore, floated unbidden into the field of mental vision. “Confound that fellow,” muttered Hal. “I’m glad I ac- cepted his cane-spree challenge. I'll take the cane from him or die trying to.” The clock in the tower of Nassau struck three, and Hal walked toward the faculty-room. The faculty-room is a place of many terrors to evil-doers. Iw managing a great institution such as Princeton, which numbers a thousand students on her rolls, it is found neces- sary to clothe authority with austerity. It is better and eas- jer to deal severely with a few cases, and thus check for- bidden practises in the bud, than to exercise a milder sway with its consequent increase of petty offenses. So. Hal expected the worst. Imagine a gloomy room, with few windows, no carpet, no mutal decorations save rows of grim paintings of former presidents and professors, now long dead, and no furnishings except rows of cane-seated chairs, and a small platform for the chair of the president. Imagine this room filled with sol- emn-visaged professors, all clothed in black, and all wearing expressions of professional gravity. Imagine, seated upon the platform, the stern-faced judicial president in black gown and spectacles, and at his side the secretary, pen in hand, and the proctor in his capacity of prosecutor. Such was the somewhat appalling court before which Hal was ushered alone, friendless, and without even a chair to sit on. It was his first experience, and he felt disconcerted when he saw all these grave eyes fixed gravely upon him. But immediately his inborn pluck came to his assistance. What had he done that he should fear? It was an emer- gency of grave importance. He would meet it with spirit. The president adjusted his glasses, and looked sternly at Hal, and announced the charge upon which he was sum- moned. He then called upon the proctor for particulass, and the proctor recited the circumstances, with which we are familiar, giving them a bias strongly against Hal, and add- ing that he had good reason to believe that Hal was the ring- leader of the many freshman disturbances that had recently taken place in and near Edwards Hall. As he spoke Hal looked around the room, and saw not one friendly face. Even the face of Professor Harper, usu- ally so kindly, was growing stern and cold. “Well,” said the president sharply, “this ig a very serious charge. What have you got to say to it; sine? Hal threw back his shoulders, and looked the president squarely in the face. Then he said: asked Lilian, MIGHT «AND MAIN LIBRARY “Tt is- tale.” There was something of a sensation. Professors era | at each other and frowned, the president flushed, and the proctor turned around with a triumphant smile. “Do you mean to tell this faculty,” thundered the presi~ dent, “that Mr. Brown, our capable proctor, has made false and malicious statements to us?” : It was a trying moment, but Hal was equal to it. He did not reply until the room was perfectly silent. Then he said slowly: “T mean to say this: The facts that Mr. Brown recited as coming under his direct observation are strictly and ac- curately true. His conclusions are totally wrong. It is true that my chair was smashed, my table overturned, and my car- pet ruined with ink. It is untrue that I did these things. hey were done by another. “Tt js absolutely false that I have had anything to do with the disorderly pranks that have taken place, and‘that are at- tributed, justly or unjustly, to certain members of my class whose names it is Mr. Brown’s business to know.” The proctor winéed under this shot aimed directly at him. “T demand as my right,” continued Hal, “that Mr. Brown prove the unsupported statements that he has made against me. As they stand, his charges have not even probability, for why should I, a poor man, destroy my own furniture 2 Hal’s straightforward bearing, his manly attitude, and his-frm demand made a visible impression in his favor, but the president asked sternly: “Tf you did not break your furniture, who did?” ‘1 do not know.” “You do not know ?”’ This was asked in a tone of surprised incredulity. / “No, sir,” said Hal, with great positiveness, “I have my _ suspicions, but I do not know.” “Whom do you suspect?” “T decline to state, sir, and I think you will bear me out in the fairness of my position. I am the sufferer, but I dé not wish to prosecute the person who injured my furniture, | for teasons which touch my honor. If that person has “of- fended you, too, by breaking your rules, I submit that it 1¢ a Ho. rt Thee a Sar Mr. Brown’s place to discover who he ise “A clever trick,” said Brown, under his breath, but loud enough for Hal to hear; ‘‘a pretty lie, but it won’t work.” Then Hal was sent from the room while the professors talked it over. When he was called back the president Batt “Mr. Larkin, we do not wish to do an injustice, hence, we suspend judgment. But there are points in your story that seem improbable, and we have decided to place you on pro- bation until you can more satisfactorily explain the peculiar doings in your room last night. If you are not the guilty one you must name the one whos, or else deal’ with us with _ a frankness that will enable us to regard you with a con- fidence that your attitude to-day fails to inspire. We give you two weeks.” As Hal left the building the proctor stepped to his side, at.d whispered: ; “T will land you yet.” “Tf I don’t land you first,” hearty defiance. At nine o’clock that night clapper were assembled in Hal's room. of the faculty meeting briefly. “Shades of Herodotus!” exclaimed Frank Baldwin. “I never heard of such luck. You are positively the easiest man to live’ at peace with that I know, and yet within the responded Hal, in a tone of the four who were to take the Hal told the story limits of one night and a day you make two bitter enemies, — 1 and one of them you don’t know, while the versity proctor.” “Well,” said Hal, “it’s a case of do or die with me now. I amon a probation, and so 1f [ get caught at this thing to- night Ill get expelled without ceremony. But Vil have a other is the uni-e wanes tM TK, ast he CS5° ii-k W.. _ from there, circus-fashion, to Hal’s shoulder. “him in hand, and after much effort, hoisted the boy to his hard time, anyway, unless I can fix this man Brown. So here goes. It’s do or die,” Then they put their heads together, and spent an hour » carefully planning the attack, “Tt will be, then, at the stroke of twelve,” said Hal, as his fellow conspirators rose to go. They nodded. As the last stroke of midnight resounded from the tower of ancient Nassau Hall, four figures appeared’ upon the ivy- grown roof, and stealthily crept toward the old bell. And directly beneath them, seated on the stone steps of the building, smoking a pipe, was Brown, the proctor. It had been no easy job for Hal and his fellows to mount to the roof. of Nassau Hall, or Old North, as the ancient building is affectionately called by students and alumni. _ For many years it had been regarded -by each incoming freshman class an enviable feat to remove the clapper from the great bell, that, swinging in its lofty belfry, had not only sounded the hours, but had rung the calls for chapel and recitations since before the American Revolution. The clap- per had not been stolen, however, for six or seven years, partly because the practise was dying out, but~ principally because of the difficulties placed in the way by the proctor, under the direction of the faculty. And this was a great feather in the new proctor’s cap. : Joe Blake, who was an expert gymnast, had made a care- ful inspection of the building that afternoon in preparation for the attempt, and had reported to the others that the only possible way of reaching the roof was to ascend a rope from a top story window over the widely overhanging cor- nice. This was something of a feat, for the broad overhang had been built for the special purpose of keeping daring freshmen from the roof. The four selected were all athletic and all daring, how- ever, and so, at Hal’s direction, Joe had procured a rope and had securely fastened a stout hook to one end of it. It had ‘been a matter of no great difficulty, having got access to a classmate’s room on the top floor, to lean out of the win- dow, and fling the rope-end up, so that the hook caught over ‘the cornice. The difficulty was to ascend the rope, hand over hand, and climb thé cornice, and as this might make a noise, Hal chose midnight as the hour of the attempt. The twelve. resonant strokes of the bell would cover a multitude of ‘noises. The program was successfully carried out. Joe Blake seized the rope at the first stroke of the bell, swung boldly out, climbed the rope, grasped the cornice, and with the skill of a trained gymnast, swung himself over. The others fol- lowed rapidly, and each in turn, as he reached the cornice, was pulled over the top by Joe. As we have seen, the last stroke of twelve saw the four scrambling over the roof to- ward the bell-tower. It was exceedingly dark, and, fortunately for the expedi- tion, a smart breeze continually stirred the branches of the giant elms. It required considerable exertion to mount the bell-tower, and for a while it looked as if the attempt had come to grief at the very start. “Here,” said Hal, “Joe, you stand on my shoulders, and see if you can reach the top.” But Joe could not get any grip even then. “T can put a man up there,’ he whispered. Shorty Smith... He’s the lightest.” lal clasped his hands, and Shorty stepped in them, and Here Joe took “Send me-up own shoulder. “All right,” whispered Shorty, and he tumbled over the railing into the belfry, and, leaning over, helped the others up and in. “Now, here we are,” said Hal. The situation in which the four freshmen now found them- selves was one to stir the blood with exhilaration and ex- citement. Already they had accomplished in scaling the MIGHT AND MAIN LIBRARY. cornice and reaching the bell-tower, a feat which preceding classes for seven years past had failed to do, They were now perched aloft in a lonely tower, overlooking the silent campus and the black, gloomy buildings. Overhead a few stars shone brightly. The overhangir+ branches of a giant campus-elm swayed back and forth in the breeze, striking the tower now and then. “Jupiter Pluvius!’’ exclaimed Frank Baldwin, “it’s al- mighty dark up here.’’ “Almost skeery,’ whispered Shorty, with an affectation of fright. “Come,” said Hal, who had climbed up into the interior of the great bell, and was feeling the outlines of the clapper, “where are the files?” Frank had the files, and climbed up alongside of Hal, and the two fell to work, while the others watched. Scratch, scratch, scratch! Scrape, scrape, scrape! The files played a merry tune upon the bolt from which the giant clapper hung, and Brown, the proctor, unsuspect- ing and unsuspected, smoked just below on the stone steps. Fifteen minutes passed, and Hal stopped to wipe his fore- head. “Jupiter Pluvius!’’ he whispered, “I’ll have to borrow your: oath, Frank, and swear by the god of rain. spiration.” “Tt’s fearfully hot in here,” said Frank, “and this steel is frightfully hard: “But we’re making a decided impression, all the same.” Hal felt the bolt with his fingers. ‘“Let’s make the others finish it,” said Frank, and the two softly descended, and the other two took their places. “Let us know when she begins to give,” said Hal, “and Frank and I will get a good hold, and let her down easy.” Scratch! scratch! Scrape! scrape! Down on the stone steps below, Brown, the proctor, be- gan to get uneasy. For fifteen minutes he had heard a pe- culiar sound that did not harmonize with the rustling of the night wind through the elm-trees. It was more suggestive of a machine-shop. And, yet, how could machine-shop noises be heard on the Princeton front campus after midnight? Brown tried to identify it with a locust, or other nocturnal insect, but this supposition failed him likewise. “Tf it were on the rear campus I should suspect some stu- dent deviltry,” he mused, “but here, at this hour, it can’t be that.” The thought of a freshman assault on the clapper was far from occurring to him. There had been none during his term in the office of proctor. “T ought to go to bed,” he said to himself, “but this thing annoys me.” Up in the shadow-shrouded belfry, Hal sniffed the’ air suspiciously. “That’s tobacco,’ he whispered. “There aren’t any rooms in the front of the building, so where can it come from?” “T give it up,’ said Frank, also recognizing the odor. “It must come from the campus. I wonder if - At that moment there was a frightful crash at their very feet. The entire tower trembled. The sixty-pound iron clap- per, loosened from its bolt, had fallen to the floor, and the echoes came back from all sides of the campus. “Heavens!” cried Shorty, frightened in good earnest this time. “It will wake up the college. What shall we dd?” “Ha! ha!’ shouted the proctor’s voice from below; ‘I’ve got you now, freshies.” And, drawing a bunch of keys from his pocket, he rushed up the steps and into the building. “He’s coming up by the scuttle,” said Hal grimly, hearing the door slam below. “This means expulsion for me if I don’t break my neck trying to get down.” Two hours and a half before these events occurred, Billy Webster ascended the steps of Witherspoon Hall at a jump, I’m raining per- t * f 4 { fered himself into my hands,’ said Web- Then a dark, angry look came into his eyes. Presently, he said: “No man me with impunity.» The cireum- Stances of this. blow are such that 1 cannot ee iyself o 4 4 i and return Mapleson, then,” said mean?” oned ' the others, who that distorted his friend’s face. 4 passionately, “that when I get that e between us 1 shall nearly a broken shoulder it will spirit,” said wed this out- yn the first, If, .and) the: very of your reé eke: in Spirit, even if 66 Hr ea i. Po RA Ot aes Oh, no; ra hee intere NE that's all. They had me play-_ s, while Larkin: a Ol, and kin two innings on what, 39 . means? ks to es said Frank Adams, “‘as though Captain was sizing you two fellows up, to see which one of you to put-on thirc e for the game with the New Yorks.” : mean that that freshman stands as ead SOY i Goaae with me, do yous 1 ao ae Fu nane i said Ce S I’m in training. Let’s see, when is the ia game? e-up of the nine,” That's the one that shows the final mal TL AWO a weeks from this Saturday.” spree comes in between,’ said Webster to ‘ll, the freshman won't play third in the Har- 18 can’t be ae ite tc * he said, “and if, the don’t make I iat have to devise some and war, and this-is both. ter that blow he gave me in the dark I don’t care what ae means-l use to seule him, been bad- There was a knock on the door. Webster opened it, and Zine trying saw Captain Lincoln. to find out how we could get even. a never oa he’d be “l’m on my way up-stairs to bed,’ he said. “Thought I’d way that will. All's ever since that ws a & i i 4 pit ‘¢ P|’ Irn ae T i ok o@] . - Ry ae aN, 4 | ) Lk \,, just tell you as I passed your door that we have decided to ; °° theres Brown, ‘onsen } the window-sill with his foot, but could seem to get no hold MIGHT AND MAIN LIBRARY. ‘play you on third in the New York game next Saturday.” | Webster could not reply, so great was his pleasurable emo- tion, and Lincoln went on to his room, sue: “All things are running my way at last,” as he prepared to retire for the night. Webster said, CHAPTER IV. HAL’S SECOND PRISONER. There was panic on the roof of Old North. Shorty Smith and Frank Baldwin stood looking wildly in all directions, and Joe made a break across the roof for the rope. Hal was the only one “Here,” who was cool. he said; “what are hold of this clapper. you fellows gaping at? then! Up over this side, so that it will fall on the soft grass. Now, she goes. me with a tremendous thud and make for the rope.” as calmly and authoritatively as a They heard the clapper fall “Now, scramble out, Hal gave his orders commander in battle. > It was a good j; tion. jump to the roof, but there was no hesita- One after another they leaped over the railing into the blackness, and landed on the unseen roof. Hal went last, and followed the others in a rapid scramble over the easy pitched gable. Joe was already impatiently awaiting them at the rope. . (1 thought you fellows were never coming,” he said, “but I wasn’t going to leave till you came. This is harder work than getting up.” said Hal. # “Tt’s more dangerous,” “Ts the rope long enough to reach the ground, or will we have to swing back through . the window ?”’ “It’s too short to go to the ground. We'll have to swing back. I can do it, for I was practising for it in the gymna- sium this afternoon.” “Youd better go. first, then,” in the ee let us know. us in by turt AI right,” said Joe, and as Hal steadied the hook that held the rope to the cornice he lowered himself over the dark abyss, and was Back and forth he swung, trying to reach the window from which they had emerged, with his foot. The room was empty, so there was no help from within, and as Joe could not see for the darkness the exact boun- daries of the window, the situation became in time one of peril. It was one of peril for those on the roof, too, for just then the scuttle-door went up with a bang, and a man’s step was heard on the roof. said Hal, “and when you get Then you can pull each one of soon swinging four stories high. 39 whispered Hal; “now, silence!” ine boy dangling on the rope below tried again and again, and hope was beginning to die within him. He could reach upon it. Finally, he launched himself into a dangerously long swing, and sent his feet crashing through the upper sash. They caught, and with the exercise of great muscular power he “then cough. _I shall, too! drew himself nearer and)nearer, and at last clasped the win- dow-sill with one hand. In a moment he was inside. “H-s-s-t !” he said. “Hello,” responded Hal in a loud whisper. “Let the next man let himself down five arms-lengths, and oo got the end of the rope in the window, and will pull him in,’ UAlberieht. said Hal sending Shorty Smith over the cor- nice, with the direction whispered in ‘his ear. Brown, the proctor, was making considerable noise. He was tramping around the bell-tower, evidently trying to get into it. Brown apparently did not have the key. “H-s-s-t!’’ came from below. “Hello!” Hal replied, in a stage whisper. “Shorty’s landed safe enough. Send over the next.” “Frank, over you go,” said Hal. As Frank began to drop over the edge of the roof the sound of clattering footsteps was heard approaching. The proctor had given up his midnight investigation of the bel- fry, and had started iti search of the freshmen. Great heavens, Hal; there won’t be time enough for you to come, too,’ whispered Frank, pulling himself back to the cornice. “Not if you delay, * said Hal grimly. “Hurry up. But be careful.” You 90; hi sho lestave said Frank, beginnine to clamber oS a up agalii. “I will not accept the sacrifice,’ Hal said firmly; “though I appreciate it highly. Come; down with you! If you stay There’s no need of both of us sufferine.” >. Frank pleaded. ks’ suspension if I am caught, “But I have no probation nae over me, | “Tt will only mean two wee but you———’’ Y No,” into this, Be $9? once ! He held him firml, over hand down ye rope. “T got you and at almost a savage whisper; Sata lal. in and I shall stand the consequences. Go, y and gently, and Frank let himself hand Brown’s footsteps indicated that he was no more than twenty feet away, but moving slowly feeling his way in the darkness. Hal’s heart beat rapidly ples with the excitement of the moment. , along the roof’s gutter ly, and his bioad surged in his tem- Would they never give the signal from below for him to drop over the edge? , Brown paused a moment, and in that moment Frank was safely pulled into the window .below, but in entering he kicked the sash audibly. “Hal!” exclaimed the proctor, aloud; “I’ve got you now!” He pushed forward. Hal could hear his breathing, could even distinguish the outlines of his figure looming up in the gloom. “FY-s-s-t !”’ It was the signal from below. 3rown was approaching rapidly. Was there time for Hal to swing himself over the cornice? Hal saw at a glance that even if he did get over the edge it would be impossible to land in the room below and detach the rope without revealing the method and place of eScape. There was a door that entered it from the roof, but - ‘ 12 MIGHT AND MAIN LIBRARY. edi sey the buzz of many voi ieee below awoke Be. who, findin eé his way. through college. would be a_ the night before that escape was sine off, had climbed a him, the tower, cuddled ne a corner and dropped off to sleep. ted appearance of the proctor, collarless, hat- hair awry, and a face expressive of consternation g over the railing of the tower, and sleep- nal for a loud burst of laugh- le’s been on a drunk, clin t himself,’ . sho nbed into the tower, and over- i nNere Was all- outed a senior roar of laughter. “Three cheers for the proctor !’ student crow ee cheered itself \ the students Hee He louder and cheered rown became angry fist, and swore. the commotion a the attention of profes- way home from m4 e 99:9 be intoxicated,’ he said, much shocked, v ’ € : “What are you doing up there, Brown?” called Professor rper. le down at once,’ Carty “Who € up here, and ter him,” shouted conversation Dae hundred students, ae a wild burst of merriment, whi Professor Har- curiosity, y concealing his own amusement, es vainly to | q while Hal and his in} > enjoyment of the er sent an attendant to the roof to release ae mur- ced away. Protease Harp the proctor, anc MUred le his > iin His eke year he had led an attempt to take the e mentally reviewed. the as sturdy mus-d hit upon no likely man. 1 a sudden recollection night, and once had got pur-- But this was nothing to the disclosure that followed, Be 2 ke It’s a lie!” yelled Brown, who, having got of his eyes, now recalled the ie of the than any, y Ms aNn Ve as Fm = cee Ve i nth oe SF a a Arne ; S Sg Ene PONTE ee AND \up and lookéd out of his window. He had then \tmmest of lights appear in Hal Larkin’s \ the south campus. i four or five 1 guished lapper and trapped the bracers Webster remembered the struggle in the entry, and the midnight encounter in the freshman’s room. Yes, Le had the requisite strength and the requisite nerve. It might be he. Hang the fellow! W hy was showing himself his—Webstet’s—superior ? all the more for this. But was it he? He would get a little more light ject, anyway. He went back and emerged from the buildin throng with an expr oe Now, Brown h wn it, he had ee guilty o rkin 1 on the sub- met Brown, who had just ‘ merry student a yr, and faced the u ° f gfeat 4 2 had he mischiet ee an in hisvclass, only kn and sophomore hazing than any other man =e So he did not repulse him as he did the others who ven tured to approach him, and the two walked Brown told his story, and asked: “How did nae Cai when he imagine,’ Brown replied, “nor do I know that there was more than_one in the scheme. Ah, if I could find him, Ud-——' ' What sort of a looking chap was he?” “IT couldn’t make him out. It was too dark. That’s all I know.” “What time was it?” “Why do you ask?” Brown turned upon him with sudden He was good- sized. _/ \eastrust. “Because I’ve got my suspicions,” ventured Webster Brown stopped, and turned to him eagerly. “Who. do you think it was? Tell me, and you re +1 friend from now on.’ Webster hesitated. To tell s seemed a mean action, especial- ly as the suspicion was slimly founded. Brown pressed him hard. To his credit, We “But tell me wha he said. ster refused. t time it a place, and [ll think about “As near as I can cal utes after eee wl Tt wa low got away.” “Then,” Webster eagerly, “xm and suspicious light suddenly fresh go out a culate it was about twenty-five min- hen I heard the cras laps fifteen m h that started me aiter him. inutes later when the fel- saic appear in a lan’s window at five minutes bout th of one this once and é€e minutes later, it is——” freshman I am looking ‘It’s a good clue to freshman °” put in Brown excited a Who is t me abster was it the surer he qlapper. But could he tell? It was a small matter. do him no harm. start on, anyway. the £ The more he thought about t Hal Larkin was the man who took the sorely tempted. felt that li Larkin were innocent it would lf he were guilty, it would be only jus- | tice, MAIN LIBRARY. And if he were guilty, punishment would deservedly fol- low, fast and sure, and this would settle once for all the ques- tion of who would play third base on the university if the imtercollegiate games es iself, checked him “Dll never give you away 7 qame, and then — oO ct nak = oO e+ ~~ He almost spok ' Lell me,. plea —TI promise.” “Vl think about it Yorks had arri The New citém grounds b body was minot chang p the work of in act Thi another of the same sort, was notab rst, it was against a | professional with Harvard ce Y ale. would not he, did not But h if | upon the grounds It had been a greater have. confessed when and third in He instinct tively Le i play him but @ slig shtly. ent, and appeared * ay Pe \ aes aie intel it Nad deen a and aroused Se pitch- ers’ game, and all do was to in £ | 4 0 mole acaiet tram 3 Seas a foul- -fly, and make a single assist from a slow gr ASUS Piety: 5 wt Beg In the sixth inning, t st damaged a finger however, Tillingha: Poin endeavoring to ee a hot li > tedl ePecreary ner, and Hal, quite unex to him, was ordered to take his place at short. The New found himself. f Yorks were first at the Hal ollowi i t came Princeton’s turn. Webster ing two men on base, with muly ee al om q yy + " ¢ 4 such a. batter; and me on he said to an out curve again,” and fait rly. ball forged ercely over the center- fielder’ s ie the Far c 14 MIGHT AND Everybody shouted, and Hal ran like a deer. The two run- ners came in, and while seven hundred students cheered wildly, Hal began a race with the ball from second to third. Shot with unerring aim from the outfield, the ball won. “Out! Side out!” said the umpire. But the score was tied again. The university was cheer- ing Hal, and Webster was frowning. It was the eighth inning that made history. The seventh had not changed the score, and the student throng was crazed with enthusiasm. Were they really going to beat the New Yorks? The very first ball pitched was batted by a ealinaet New Yorker between second and short. It flew low and hard in long bounds. Hal flung himself at it. Lincoln afterward called the stop a miracle, for Hal was flat on the ground when his outstretched fingers grasped the ball. He could not hold it, but, scrambling, catlike, to his feet, picked it up in time to jam it to first. It was a close decision of out, and Hal was again the re- cipient of cheers, The next ball pitched was batted for a hard line drive, straight at third. Webster was unprepared, and muffed it. ; rolled to one side, and he pivoted a complete circle before e found it. The batter was safe. The third ball pitched resulted in a grass-cutter at thyrd. Webster was plainly rattled by his misplay of the moment before. He miscalculated, and the ball passed between his Hal, who had run to his support, gathered it in with right, shot it to first, and two were out. Then came a base-hit to. second, followed by a slow one, hich the pitcher fumbled. ie bases were full. “Now for a three-bagger,” growled the captain, who did not much relish being held down this way by college boys. Alas for Webster! His evil genius was surely in the ascendency. The “three-bagger” slid weakly toward third and stopped half-way. Webster miscalculated, dropped the ball, stepped on it, and fell full-length. Finally, picking it he overthrew home, and all three scored. Further particulars didn’t interest any but the New York- ers, whose final score was eleven to Princeton’s four. At the close of the game Captain L oe approached Hal and held out his hand. “Larkin,” he said, “you played a pretty game to-day, and [ want to congratulate you. One reason I didn’t play you originally was I was afraid you'd rattle. as a judge. That was a mighty pretty stop in the sixth.” “Oh, that was mere luck,” said Hal modestly, flushing warmly with pleasure at the praise. “Maybe,” said Lincoln dryly, have on a nine.” : up, But you were cool “but lucky men are good to Webster exchanged words w ith no one. He was depressed and silent. But once Hal looked up suddenly, and found his eyes fixed upon him with an expression of such dislike, such malevolence, that he involuntarily shuddered, and _ be- gan to ask himself why Webster should dislike him. It was his first suspicion of the truth. Before the players left the club-house, Captain Lincoln called them together, and said: “Boys, of course, you know that the cane-spree is to come off next week—Thursday, I believe, full moon occurting then. MAIN LIBRARY. “hours at a stretch. It is unfortunate that this thing was not fought out last i ii at the regular time. is, and we have to deal with it now. “Of course, you know that cane- spreeing is ‘more or iss dangerous. It is not often bones are broken, but men fte- quently get strained fingers and wrists that do not matter in themselves, but are apt to injure a man for baseball. I have only to request, then, that no member of the nine, — actual or substitute, takes part in the cane-spree. It is un- ne, to say more. The request, of course, is suffi- cient.” : Webster walked back greatly depressed. Things were after all. “Hal,” said Jim Halloway, as the two sat in Jim’s hand- some study after Larkin had left the ball-field, “sometimes i get very. Dlue.? “Why so, old man?” asked Hal, tenderly laying his band on the shoulder of his friend. to the campus alone. He looked not “I wouldn’t admit it to any one but you,” said Jim, “but it is true. I am greatly discouraged. You see, I’m not like you. If I had a great fund of physical strength I would bubble over with energy all the time. But I can hardly even do my studying sometimes. Say, Hal——-” “Well!” Hal spoke very gently and Vaio. “T famted last night over my Greek.” jal was much alarmed at this, and asked many ques- tions; but he understood it when he learned that Jim had spent twelve hours that day in solid study. It was enough to exhaust any man, and Hal said so with some energy. “You should be ashamed of yourself,” he said severely. “Why, it’s all I’m good for,” said Jim sadly. “I can't play ball, or, in fact, engage in any sport, and I must do something and do it hard. So I study. ene way at least I am good for something.” “No one will dispute your superior mind, Jim,” said Hal, | “and preeminence in study will count more in the end than anything else. Provided’—and Hal paused impressively — “provided you don’t overdo it and wreck your constitution.” “But what worries me, Hal,” said Jim, “is what I shall do in the world after I get through with college. If I am so weak that I faint after a hard day’s study, how shall I ever stand the battles and the work of life? lawyer, but lawyers often have to work twenty and thirty I could never stand it. And it is so in every profession when one is after success. Success comes only by hard, persistent, enduring work. can't stand it.” Jim buried his head in. his hands with almost a sob. “Nonsense,” said Hal, slapping him affectionately on the shoulder. “Read less Latin and more biography, old boy, and you will learn what men of small physique have done oe for the world. A large part of the best accomplishments of science, philosophy, literature, and even national affairs — have been brought about by men who were incapable of working more than two or three hours at brace up, old man. You have brains, and good ones, You © will have money enough to keep you from having to work — for a mere living. ihe whole world is before you. What — matters it if you can’t win cases in a court-room when you 1 want to De a a stretch. Conte, | ef I can prove that in J Ls vie And, you see, 1+ It was postponed, however, and here at Huot running his way, — ; el fi ed as SR er Jee : cap y Z es ei oe bow’) - Pek ete ] Dy eer DS: to Cul ne ne ts ! iTS he, ou rk lat. LX phe Ty re cf it east ct See SS wm cane-spree and beco ap tite ‘gyn sit at home and yers quoter” “What nonsense, Hall” exclaimed ihe t through his gloom. '“T expect some day to be greatly my house of the distinguishe tinued Hal. “That's what t professor.” “I hadn't thought of that,” said Jim, “I vrite the Jim, but he was smi- +r d Professor Halloway,’ ature cut you out for—a college ot pee: a than those of practical law. 2 ae to ber’ i SO Ss “I don’t know, really,” .’ like newspaper work more tl ything els Lv thing with plenty of activity to it. ~ But I-don’t believe it matters much, for I feel it in my bones that I’m going to get along in tae i idee will, Hal,’ st faith in you.” “Um sure you rreates 6¢ said. Jim heartily 9 €¢ id some time,’ when. I’m editor An Hal went on dreamily, f a big. newspaper, ely + or a broker, or something, I'll have a lovely home and a pretty WW te anh ne He re Hal stopped short The very suggestion him a sweet, girlish oe h 1 to be sure, but.that had made his mind... She was Jim’s — 5 2) io a Qu oS 2) confusion, and hoped that Jim But Jim did not notice the a tule. I wonder why? “Whatever did you do with that subject and low 1 1. c 1. 9) i in: the. pottom or: my trunk, Jim, ney changing the g0 knowing the bearing of this confession upon future events. ¢ 1 si ¥ aaa 2 ae com 5 4 D?? ‘Oh, but it was a good one on old Brown, was it not? talk driited off to college matters—baseball, and the p said Jim, now And. the 4 Greek, study, “Well,” the nine and do wor meh cheered, “you will get on cane in athlete and one of the most your aders; you will win Mme a OTeat ie popular met sure of it, As for me, my Y in another direction, but I shall be equally successful. It is my intention to in everything. WY es,. in presently, classical peat you there, “Would it be to i of first in curious smile. ambitions a stand first Greek and Latin,” he added notwithstanding your everything, even with a laugh, “and that ambitions. I am going to prove to you that I at least.” a great disappointment to you if you were even one branch?’ asked Hal, with a impulsively. Jim look at neiever: than U ean. tell you,” ch on 4 himself with a quick th began Then he and added ee VT stake i beaten in anything I will be content to be beaten, But I iptend to win. Nhat: pack... INO, 39 Webster approached i That evening Billy campus. “I want to speak to you a moment in private,’ jin a short, determined tone. MIGHT AND MAIN books from which the law- honored by a visit. to? con- that the accomplishments of scholarship are more honorable B | BRARY. 15 q | Hal wondered, for he had had little to do with Webster. They walked apart and st front campus. Cys opped under a great el: course,” began Webster imperiously, after looking about him to make sure they were alone. “Of course, yor intend to abide by my challenge, duly accepted by you, for the cane-spree to-morrow night?” “The cane-spree?” rou hear what queried Hal, in surprise. didn’t Lincoln: told us: after the ‘AAT Hx V\ hy; sau New York 4 Saturde ay t I took it for granted that the contest was 4 f i, and I were concerne ed, SONA] 1 i yi gael : i Well, you on now Levent at Bes Saat 1 LEHI S Was up. aut,” Bede Oras a4 , = a7 qe NN Loe Pancair were nor orders responded VV epster. L.INnCcolin 4 Made a eucstam CUSsLtOLIT ) - De aaa 1 and totm. The £ pays any attention to it. No one eh SPree, except muscles. *T have OL you: yee a Ran eae RRS Bal ariel | . Lincoln made his announcement. If you’intended to ae she aides oe ante Saat ed Ni, Why did, yOu NOU IMTOrmM me Carlier, so: 4 continued my practise?’ “It is your own fault;’’ continued Webster. “When you made up your mind.to crawl out on that pretext you a7 Pp) 1 Hal flushed and choked. He was to, reply hotly. a a : ina constrained 1en he check voice: 66 Let us say no more. I CHAPTER | THE CANE-SPREE. a DOLE on the gre c contest of any sort, ession i more. _scentiealy onored 16 | MIGHT A cane-rush consists of a strugele between a freshman and a sophomore, carefully matched in advance by their junior and senior backers, for the possession of a stout oaken stick, which each holds firmly at the ends by both hands. You can get an excellent idea of the nature of the contest by grasping an ordinary cane at the ends, the fingers of your right hand turned up and those of your left hand down. Get some one to face you holding the cane in pre- cisely the same way, and the possibilities of the combat will at once become apparent to you. Practise develops a great variety of tricks and the strictest of rules govern. The backers or seconds of the contestants watch the match crit- ically, and fouls and disputed points are passed upon by a referee. The cane naturally belongs to the man who takes it, and victory goes to the class that scores the largest. number of canes out of the twenty or thirty matches usually con- tested. To the freshman, on account of his inexperience, is ac- corded the advantage of the outside hold with its greater leverage. In all other respects, the chances are precisely alike, and the sophomore may have the outer hold after the fight begins, provided he is strong and clever enough to se- Cure 1 a Immediately preceding the general cane-spree, in which all who wish take part, there is usually fought out the “pre- liminary.” This three matches between the heavyweights, or the champions of the two classes, and it is consists of regarded a great point for a class to secure two out of these three contests. As Billy Webster during his freshman year had been clearly. the cane-champion of his class, having taken one cane in the preliminary and a second in the general spree, his match with Hal Larkin was of course placed in the preliminary list. He had taken care, however, when Captain Lincoln had issued his against baseball men taking part, that the match was as we have seen, it was his intention to compel Larkin to good edict have it quietly out, notwithstanding. He therefore arranged with his second, Havens, of the senior class, to call the contest in. a retired corner of the campus at nine o'clock, during the progress of the general spree. We, who know his reasons for insisting upon the cane-spree, can readily understand his reasons for this ar- rangement. “They have decided to fight it out, Lincoln or no Lin- coln,” said Havens to ‘‘Pinky’’ Smith, Hal’s junior backer, “and of course the more quietly they do it the better. Once they are started no one will interfere. Besides, my man will finish yours up in a very few moments.” “Think so, eh?’ asked Pinky. “Well, don’t you be too sure, my boy. My freshman has had hardly any practise, but I shall be surprised if he doesn’t give your sophomore the fight of his life. I hardly. dare hope he'll get his cane, but he may force you to cut.” “Never,” replied Havens contemptuously; “why, there never was such a cane-man as Webster on this campus.” “No one denies Webster’s worth,” replied Pinky, “but there have been surprises before now.” AND MAIN LIBRARY. officially called off, though, . At half-past eight o’clock a tremendous crowd was gatl ered on the south campus. There was not a student miss/— ing; even the slowest grind in the college put away ‘ books for this occasion, A large delegation from the vi } lage was present, too, consisting of nearly all the young an A middle-aged men in town and a sprinkling of women. it And strangers, also, were there; parties that had come from New York, Philadelphia, and elsewhere to witness the moonlight contest on the Princeton campus. The girls were even more excited than,the students, and laughter and chat e i made the crisp night merry. 7 It was indeed a spirited sight when, at half-past eight, the’ first of the preliminary sprees took place. It was a contest |, i He § = \ of heavyweights, and was fought out in the middle of a great 4 ring whose boundaries, as soon as the struggle began, straightway collapsed in the excitement. It was a short, sharp battle, and resulted in a victory for the sophomore. Great was the tumult. Hvery sophomoreethe moment the issue was decided began to leap and shout like a madman, while the seniors joined in, and the visitors shouted and clapped their hands out of sheer excitement, wholly regard- less of the issue. The victorious cane-rusher was immediately seized by his classmates and lifted to their shoulders, he meanwhile sha- jf king .Fhis captured cane aloft and shouting as loudly as any. He was thus marched about the campus, while a hundred sophomores’ voices sang triumphant measures and cheered him and themselves and the class and the university and everything that could be cheered except the freshmen, who were the recipients of three dismal groans, thrice repeated, expressive of deep commiseration and contempt. And then the mad crowd settled down, and the second — i combat came off, quite as sharp, quite as quick, and with the same result. Then indeed were the sophomores crazed with joyous ex- citement. Two canes in succession in the preliminary were more than they hoped for. But they lost the third bout, and it was the freshmen’s turn to grow crazy and carry about the victor and fill the fresh night air with songs and cheers that could be heard, with the wind favoring, miles away. This settled the preliminary. Now for the general spree. And what a change instantly took place. The crowd sud- denly scattered. It spread itself all over the great field and divided up into little knots. Half a dozen bouts began at: once, each surrounded by a crowd of anxious watchers. of the freshmen they were matched with, and freshmen _—~| began to call sophomores. “Hey,»Brown!” | “Hello, Jameson !” of “Oh, here you are Brown. Are you ready? Well, here goes.” And the bout would begin forthwith. + ~ Within ten minutes fifteen or more were already under _ way, with others forming, and the whole moonlit campus was filled with a swaying, excited crowd, forever surging backward or forward, forever urging, encouraging, cheer- ing, and every now and then bursting into wild hurrahs Sophomores ready for the fray began to call loudly the names I oo when, from a human tangle on the ground one contestant | would struggle to his feet and wave aloft the captured cane. ——anneeee i ope ges Je sarees, TS ae Sos ace eee tee Sand light flannel shirts. At twenty minutes past nine o’clock Hal Larkin and Billy Webster faced each other at the extreme corner-of the campus. They both -breeches, baseball-shoes, € ooked hard into the other's face as stood cane and awaiting the signal, : : Webster was balanced well forward, with his right knee bent and his teeth clenched tightly. A small crowd had gathered about them, but the news spread that they were in the ring and spectators hastened from every side. “Are you ready?” asked the seconds. Both nodded. aoe At the signal to begin the struggle Hal pulled back with all his force, hoping to be able to trip his adversary. He was surprised to meet with no resistance. On the contrary, Webster pushed forward, holding the cane low until Hal’s somewhat relaxed. they grasping strained muscles Then, with the quickness of lightning, he forced up his right, flung his body clean around, and bent double, bringing I hip and shoulder. Hal up over his right There was no help for it. It was the hip-throw sud- denly, ean powerfully executed, Over Webster’s shoul- der went Hal like a diver. His body and legs pinwheeled in the air, and down he came upon the grass, full-length, with a distinctly audible thud. It is a throw that usually settles a cane-bout, and some- times results in physical injuries. As Hal went over Web- ster’s shoulder the sophomore spectators began to shout vigorously, deeming the victory won. It was what. they expected of Webster, anyway. No man of his weight could stand up against him five minutes, and all the university knew that he had some pounds advantage over his fresh man adversary. As Hal fell Webster suddenly straightened himself and jerked the cane upward. He did this with a powerful} vicious pull. The effect was to make Hal’s fall the harder, just as the jerking back of the whip snaps the lash. It was an unusual move Bu who knew the sport scientifically it was seen and under- stood. unnoticed by most. to those “Do you want to kill the man?’ asked “Pinky” Smith angrily. * retorted Havens. He needs talking to.” Fortunately for, Hal, he absolutely relaxed his muscles when he felt himself really going, and the result was he fell limply. It was a trick he had learned when a boy, and was based on his observation that a drunken man, having no control over his muscles, rarely hurts himself when he falls. It was this that saved him as he went over Webster’s shoulder. The moment he touched the ground and felt the “Shut up,’ “Address yourself to your OW Man. fall’s force spent he instantly flexed every muscle and tight- ened his hold on the cane, for he felt that a fierce struggle was coming. Surprised that Hal did not release the cane at this heavy fall, Webster began to twist and shake him vigorously. He was now on his feet, while Hal lay full-length on the grass. MIGHT AND MAIN LIBRARY. The crowd, which had now become a large one, swayed back and forth in its excitement and filled the air with shouts. For the time Hal attempted nothing but to hold fast. He was badly. winded by: his fall and his nerves were some- what shaken. Besides he had seen an expression in Web- ster’s face just as he turned to throw him that he could neither understand nor like. He had never seen so much malevolence in a human face before. Webster, surprised at the pe with which Hal hung to the cane, strained every muscle. Kneeling beside him, he forced the cane above the head of the prostrate man, but Hal brought it down. He tried every trick he knew, even to steadily pumping his chest with the cane to wind him, but Hal lay perfectly still and managed®*to hang fast. It was now that the freshmen around him, who had never hoped much from the reported match between these two,. began to give up. Even Pinky Smith was not so cheerful as usual_as he whispered directions into his prostrate prin- cipal’s ear. But Hal was simply waiting his time. He wanted to re- cover nerve as well as breath. He was pondering over that look in Webster’s face and saying to himself that he would rather die than yield the cane to him now. Meanwhile, Webster gréw frantic in his efforts to wrest the cane away. He had every advantage, and his classmates knew it. “Take it. from him, Billy! cried, But Billy could do nothing of the sort. Deceived, how- ever, by Hal’s quiet, he became incautious after a while and balanced himself upon his toes in an effort to swing the cane over the back of Hal’s head. It was Hal’s chance, and Hal always Yank it over his head!” they took his chances. The inert, prostrate body suddenly quickened into spring steel. Hal doubled himself up and struck Webster in the back .with his bent knees. Over went the sophomore, and, wriggling like a cat, Hal was on his feet in a jiffy, while a wild chorus of freshmen cheers went up from the throng. t was the time to rush things, Hal thought, and he bent himself and savagely pushed his adversary back, hoping to~ return compliments and throw him in the same «nanner. 3ut he underestimated Webster’s skill, and in a moment ie were engaged in a fierce struggle in which one and the other alternately attempted tricks, only to be foiled. At the end of it all Hal went down and Webster on top of him, and the struggle was resumed on the ground. “Vou will, eh, freshie?” said Webster, between his teeth, when both paused to take breath. They were lying together, Webster on top, the cane be- tween them, their faces not a foot apart. An expression of satisfaction overspread Webster’s face. “You haven't got the cane yet,” said Hal valiantly, but in his heart he realized that Webster had greater strength than he. “A waiting game,” he said to himself. and tempt him to tire himself out.’ “Tl save myself Meanwhile the student throng had increased to large di- mensions. Several baseball men, including Lincoln, had heard of the bout and hurried to the spot. 8 MIGHT “It’s against orders,” said Lincoln; “Vil stop it.” But at that moment Webster, by a pretty feint, got Hal at a disadvantage and nearly wrested the cane from him, In fact, Hal only held one end by his leit hand, and sophomoric yells of triumph already filled the night air. “Hal”? shouted Webster, in his gleeful triumph. settles—you!”’ ‘ These words were each accompanied by a vicious pull, but at the third Hal, with an output of surprising renewed strength, met the emergency by a pull and a leap that recoy- ered him once more a two-hand hold, and, after a fierce struggle of a few moments, as good a hold as he had at the start. “Good! good! good for much excited, and straightway determined that it would We are all human. “That the freshman!’ yelled Lincoln, never do to stop such a pretty fight. Half an hour after the bout began Pinky Smith said to Havens: “I thought you sophomores were going to take his cane in less than five minutes?” “He'll take it, all right,” retorted Havens. The fight had been a long one. Nearly all the other bouts were finished, gathered around these two contestants. had formed a ring to give them fair play and plenty of At least two thousand eyes were now fixed upon and a majority of the university was now Seniors and juniors room. them. Webster was astonished. In his opening move he had attempted to settle not only the cane issue, but the question of third base, and was much surprised when he had failed to do so. At the end of twenty minutes he reluctantly gave up hope that Hal would meet some injury in the match, and it became his only object to take his cane. Now he began to be seriously anxious about even that issue. And he had reason to be anxious, for he had spent his strength freely in his early overconfidence, and at this mo- ment Larkin was pushing the fight. Webster instinctively felt that he was in thé hands of his master, and his heart was full of hatred. He must Neither must he— He glanced around and saw the great crowd. not suffer humiliation before so n# no, he would be sure to be detected. was watching him like a cat. Already he had’ called foul on him four times. This man Pinky Smith And Hal? Hal had caught sight of a pretty girlish face fin the crowd. Strength, will, power, such as he never felt before, seemed to come to him from without. Filled with determination, he now began to push his adversary around, turn him, twist him, back and rush him. The crowd caught the spirit of it. They realized all at once what Hal had been saving himself for now. They saw that fis time had ¢ weakening before him. And a suppressed excitement became evident everywhere. come. They saw his famous adversary The end was not long in coming. Summoning his reserve ength, Hal found Webster now a weakling before him, but ding fighting with skill and desperation. his opportunity, and when it came, gave him As Webster stretched his length upon the AND. MAIN: EIGRARY: grass, Hal wrested the cane from his loosening fingers, and 4 the shout of triumph that went up from the fréshman side’ was never omitted from the after tales of that night's con- : ict: CHAPTER VII. A FEW PLAIN WORDS. t was the university ball-ground. The nine was at prac- tise, arrayed against a well-organized scrub. Hal still continued to play short to Webster’s third. Captain Lincoln was in a critical mood, and was dropping plain words on every hand: “Look here, Webster,” he said harshly; “what sense or reason is there in your dropping every ball that’s batted your way? You get them eventually all right, but to stop and pick the ball up before you fire it to first base loses a mo- ment, and often loses a base.” Webster grumbled, “Now, shut up,” said Lincoln, and he began to inveigh against the first-baseman for standing out of line. He passed Hal over entirely in his criticisms, and. that made Webster angry. Now Hal had a peculiar method of throwing when not in ; looked rather showy, and. Webster chose to consider it “playing to the galleries.” He had intimated as much once, under circumstances that made it impossible for Hal to reply, thoughthe fling-had smarted. So-it was that now Webster chose this means of venting Hal handled a grounder leisurely, and Web- ster sniffed contemptuously. Hal wheeled upon him: like a flash, and caught a supercilious smile upon his face. Wholly forgetful of the game, and careless of the eyes of the other players, Hal walked straight to Webster. He stopped squarely in front of him and looked him in the face. “Tam tired of this,” he said. “I hate secret, underhand I have had something to say to you ever .since After practise I will meet you outside the a hurry that his ill humor, enmities, the cane-spree. southeast corner of the grounds.” “With all my heart,” said Webster, first turning pale and then flushing crimson, He was very angry. Hal walked back to his place just in time to escape the censure of the captain, and the game proceeded. He had plenty to do, and the violent exercise served to divert his mind from his anger. He was very cool-headed when the two met at the appointed spot. “Now,” said Hal; “I want to say this: You need not clench your fists that way, for I did not come here to fight you, nor will I fight you unless you compel me. I don’t like common fighting. Gentlemen don’t fight unless they are forced. I hope’you won't force me, but if you do you will find me game to the last breath.” f “Who talked of fighting,” blurted Webster, quivering with rage. “You asked me to come here and I came. Now, tell me what you want, and be quick about it.” “This is what I want,” said Hal. “The day before the cane-spree, when you forced me into it in spite of Lincoln’s orders, you were very insulting. You intimated that 1 was a coward. I replied to that, not in words, but in pluck and a ‘ar eeren eehMg i ce ee MIGHT AND muscle, when, the next night, I, an inexperienced freshman, ¥ took my cane from the acknowledged champion of the sopho- more class.” Webster reddened, and was about to speak, but Hal mo- tioned him to be silent. “In the course of the cane-spree you used methods which, I am told by upper classmen who know more about cane- spreeing than I do, would have injured or maimed me had I not had so well-knitted a frame and some good luck to boot. To-day you openly sneer at me, and you have done it before. “Now’’—-and Hal gazed severely into. Webster’s eyes and spoke with impressive emphasis—“now, what does it all mean? Are you my enemy? If not, say so, and | will offer you my hand. If you are, out with it. I cannot stand trickery and secret doings.” charge me with trickery?” re “You will repent is Sir: “Why don’t you answe not to be put off in that way. : insinuations and your foul charges,’ shall pay for PY OW sponded ously. r my question?’ said who was despise your vile replied Webster, still evading the issue. “You this, freshman.” lal started suddenly. Where had he heard that phrase and that tone before? “Tf what | take the charges back most willingly—-nay, glad a coe i ae T will § But must deny them, and you must prove to me a at your atti- J ee charge against you is untrue,”’ you tude toward me is one of frankness.” “And suppose I don’t choose to?” suming a threatening attitude. “Then,” said Hal, “I will have reason to stamp you as my enemy, and will act accordingly. I have certainly taken the Your failure to meet me is rapidly convincing responded Webster, as- manly stand. me that cried Webster, now beside Do you understand? And, “Confound your impertinence !” himself with anger. “Yes, I hate you! I hate you for your contemptible words to-day. what's more, you shall pay for this!’ As he a second time hissed this threat the light of remem- brance broke in upon Hal’s mind. Yes, yes, now he knew where he had heard that voice, those words, before. His face glowed with the revelation, and he ae baceoice and slowly raised his hand till he pointed straight at Web- ster’s face. Then, with a half-smile of triumph, he said slowly : know you army of “Your words and your voice betray you. now. You are the man who led the sophomore ‘six, whom I defeated single-handed in the vestry of my are the man who stole into my room like a thief I outwitted and imprisoned. 1] know room. You in the night and whom you now.” And Hal laughed outright. shouted Webster, between his clenched teeth. “T was never in any such scrape, and, besides, you did not imprison me, for I escap-———” Olys a diel’ Too late he stopped and flushed deeply. Hal laughed joyously. “You give yourself away most guilelessly, see here.” * he said. “But, MAIN LIBRARY. He stepped up close to. Webster, and looked him firmly in the eyes. i “See here, Webster,” he said; The trouble doubtless started then.- I remember I hit you a pretty hard blow. You are vindictive; you are trying to revenge yourself secretly. Whether you avow it or not you All right. I accept the situa- “T understand it all now. are my enemy, and I know it. tion, with this difference—that hereafter there is no more accursed hitting in the dark. It is ae part of a coward. Do you understand me? I say coward! coward! Look out for yourself. I warn you. I fight hard, but I-fight fair. All I demand of such creatures as you is to be left alone. But if you don’t leave me alone, look out!” And Hal turned on his heel and walked slowly away. crazed with anger, rushed after him But at that moment a crowd of students walk appeared around the corner Webster,. nearly with clenched fists. starting on a cross-country and he stopped. He sat down on a fence for nearly half an hour. mination, he walked away. PUN es ers with an air of deter CHAPTER VME, DEVELOPMENT Hal’s heart beat joyously that ee when, after tea, he approached the Princeton Inn with long, impatient strides. Jim had asked him to drop in informally to see his mother and sister, and Hal was debating in his mind whether or not he dare tell Lilian that it was the sight of her face that nerved him in his final effort in the cane-spree. He no lohger disguised the fact to himself that his chum’s pretty sister had made tremendous inroads upon his fancy, but, as he had only met her twice, he concluded to leave the compliment unspoken But it proved a a dicuegotnne evening for Hal. One of the younger professors was calling at the same time, and Hal could find no opportunity for the chat that he oN had hoped to have with the bright-faced girl He was greeted very warmly, even affectionately, by Jim’s mother, but the conversation was general throughout the evening. your cane-bout with Mr. Webster,’ said r Lowe, turning to Hal, “but I congratulate you on Really it has been the talk of the college now Mr. Webster always enjoyed a great reputation as a spreesman.” “Thank you,” said Hal modestly. Lilian, hoping that she, too, would congratulate him. his glance, and slightly flushed, then saying: / “And I congratulate you, Mr. Larkin. deed, valiantly done, though I must confess I body else had been your victim than Mr. .W ebster, who is a particular friend of mine.” “My victim!” exclaimed Hal, better say that——’’ Here he stopped short. “Go on and say it, Hal,” said Jim. Hal shook his head and changed the subject, but Jim would not have it. "It 1s very fortunate,” “lL did not see Professo your victory. for two days. has He looked toward She saw wish some- much hurt. “You might he said, “that Hal was not his Tad an st moa) apt a Set reac Syl en mechani ons let teen ileh aval Tt was.a valiant si “i ieee Tae Sees | 20 - MIGHT AND victim, and I insist on saying it. hard enough to break Hal’s back.” “Now, Jim, I won’t believe that of Mr. Webster,” said Lilian vehemently, but she looked troubled. She had caught a glimpse of Webster's face, with the moonlight full upon it, and had been télling herself ever since that her eyes must have tricked her, so malevolent seemed his expression. Mrs. Halloway drew Hal to one side toward the end of his call, and said: “I am getting much worried about my boy, Mr. Larkin. I very much fear that he is studying too hard. He is so. pe ae e, and has such a weary, drawn look when his face is at rest. Lilian and I have been staying here these last few days for no other purpose than to divert him and woo him from his everlasting study.” “I have noticed Jim’s paleness and depression, too,” said Hal earnestly; “but he won’t ease himself at all. He has set his heart on standing first in everything.” “Yes, I know,” said his mother sadly. “He thinks that intellectual accomplishment is all that he can do, and is am- bitious to prove imself the best in his class.” “And he is easily that,’ said Hal, the strain will be over very soon now. in a couple of weeks.” “I wish, Mr. Larkin, that you would look after my boy a little,” said Mrs. Halloway earnestly. “IT will, with all my heart, Mrs. Halloway;” dah s(t) havea ereat: aiiection. for fim, Be brother to me. I would do anything for him,’ “Anything ?” It was Lilian’s Jim had become involved in a dis- cussion of a logical problem with Professor Lowe, and the girl had drifted over to the alcove window, stood with Hal. “Yes, Miss Halloway, Fe looked at her sharply, me. Why?” “Oh, no,” said Lilian; “I don’t doubt you as an individual. I am only skeptical sometimes of the sincerity of professed human affections. I am afraid I am getting to be a sad pessimist,” “However, Examinations begin smiling. responded is like a voice. where her mother anything,” and added: fake Hal heartily. “You seem to doubt What she was thinking was that this young man, who professed so much regard for her brother, his best to break her brother’s heart by winning from him the classical honors. But she immediately perceived that the position was unreasonable, and added, with a sigh: “Oh, well, I suppose everything is for the best.” But Hal’s face was glowing now with honest feeling. He broke out: “Oh, Miss Halloway, you are entire everything in love and affection. insignificant alongside of it. There is nothing—nothing in the world I would not do for Jim.” was feally doing ly wrong. There is All else is Lilian smiled in spite of herself at this frank, boyish out- burst. She looked into Hal’s glowing, open, handsome face with the first feeling of warm regard she had. ever felt for him. She extended her hand, and he took it almost rever- ently. *You have converted me, Mr. Larkin,” “I again believe in human affection.” she said, smiling. MAIN LIBRARY. Webster apparently tried But her face darkened later, as she thought that if the greatest of all disappointments did come into her much loved? brother’s life it would come through this friend. Before Hal left, ae called him aside. - “Say, old man,” he whispered; “have you still got ‘that. clapper about you?” Hal nodded. “Take my advice, and drop it into the creek the first dark night,” said Jim earnestly, “Why P”? “Well, Professor Lowe tells me on the quiet that the faculty is using every possible means to discover the man who took it, and that Brown’s place depends upon his solving the problem.” “Brown will never find out,” said Hal confidently; “don't you worry, my boy.” “But I do worry,’ said Jim. “Nonsense!” said Hal. Though Hal had a long Greek lesson to ate. he could not go directly home. His heart was bounding, and he took a long, rapid walk. It was thus that he happened to see Webster and Brown standing together under a lamp-post in the lower end of town. The spot was near Brown’s house. ““There’s a pretty pair,’ said Hal to himself; “and they seem to be tolerably earnest about something. Their meet- ing would bode me no good if [ did not know that Brown’s teeth had heen pulled.” This was what was goitig on under the lamp-post: “Well, Brown,’ Webster was saying; “if you want to find that clapper I can give you the tip.” Brown fairly trembled with anticipation, and made all the promises of secrecy and cooperation that Webster re-— quired. “Try Larkin’s room,’ whispered Webster. | “What?” cried Brown joyfully; “you don’t say so? I'll kill two birds with one stone, for I want to land that fellow for another matter.” “Well, here’s your chance,” said Webster. “But,” Brown said thoughtfully; “1 don’t see how I’m going to get at it. Of course the faculty wouldn’t wink at my searching his room. ‘Nevertheless, | would do it if I could only get him out of the way. But, hang it! he’s in the room all the time at night, and night’s the only time it would be safe to do so.” Both were thoughtiul for a time. “When do you want to try this?’ asked Webster sud- denly. “To-morrow night,” said Brown; “for there’s a faculty meeting the next day. It would be a big thing if I could take the clapper into the meeting with me. It would be easy to fix up some way to explain how I got it.” “All right,” said Webster ; search to-morrow night.” “But won't Larkin be there?” Noi eh “Where is he going?” “Never mind. That's my business,” said Webster ex- citedly, adding with impressive emphasis: that he will not be home till midnight.” NSS “you go ahead and make your “I will guarantee © ~ ND LIBRARY. s that evening which was physical inferiority. He perceived that, rightly or wrongly, ne his whole life on the issue of standing first in of scholarship. He clearly saw im had thrown his very self-respect 5 — > Webstet wrote a note to supposed to have been sent by Lilian; for th pose of getting him to go f her brother Jim, who, fhe note cafopned fiat delteee SSS == was ‘i ri = ry town. In his welling generosity i Whe warmly i ire fron i That i after chapel nifie, and wp his mind to sacrifice himself for his friend. He left the aon rr and had a fur ; 1 i ce of his i" f t . q by a tog i; a area 1| | ae doorway He would lke i aS ; it was really im | Ry NY it uN bl | 1 iN } ‘ | \ TT A MPD rT aa eel it! I CHAPTER IX. | ‘ terrible! q : a he added, i : ' CL : } 3 \ Bickiy: | but audibly, to himse : i and chairs: and biedchers shouting with all i E F iW ; i Ae “Osa in. There The ball is far afield. his 22 MIGHT The throw is true. The second-baseman takes it; wheels in his tracks, and a second time the ball is in the air. Tt is a close decision of out. The Harvard contingent arises and howls. Princeton cheers Larkin again and again. The score is four to seven, in Harvard’s favor. _ Just before this game was begun Captain Lincoln called for Webster and Larkin. The two approached him. “I'll tell you fellows right here,” he said, “that Tillinghast will be able to play after this game. His hand is about well now, and he’ll be all right to play Yale. He will conse- quently take his old place at short. Now, both of you fellows want to do your best to-day, for this come pretty close to deciding which one of you will play third in the Yale game will game. Now, bra¢e yourselves, both of you.” Neither had made a hit until Hal’s beautiful three-b ageer, scribed. This hit was,too much for Webster, who ngrily at Hal took the field for the sixth a 1 ansv with stare, but said nothing. ien that Webster made his first error—the fumble bounder that permitt ed the |} ard then found the ball a now tour to arvard pitcher came pitched as they * SEVEN ahh vered scowl nine on Thi ings were to the bat. He struck the sec- almost perpendicular fly, The fly was rather Hal’s, but Hal ond. | him for an for ee more We proached OLarkin Hal and Webster started. Webster’s territory ap- i from the safer position. * shouted Lincoln, we all know how k N Ow, easy it 1s perpendicular cl to drop one of those The very length of time that position and grasping the falling oud-ticklers. elapses between assuming ball has a tendency to rattle rather than to reassure. At Lincoln’s order Webster at once stopped and stepped to one side, giving Hal full sway. But, standing close to Hal, just before ball came within reach he exclaimed ina sharp, low tone, distinctly audible to Hal, but to no one else: “Drop it, you fool! butter ! the You can’t hold it! Your fingers are Startled and angered, Hal did failed to find it. The batter, in the grass, rashly and, what was seeing him groping aim- drop. it, more, for second, which the opportunity to Webster to pick up the rolling ball, with a quick, accurate throw, cut him off. lessly started gave and, The result was an error and a case of funk charged up inst Hal and credit to Webster for pulling the game out ava ie, fa tight place. O As they walked in at the third out Hal approached his laughing rival and said: “There’s one thing I’m glad of, Webster, and that is that at last you fight openly, if you do fight meanly.”’ This game was afterward dubbed the freshman’s game, because it was Hal and Joe Blake who turned the tide of battle. The only hits that resulted in runs so far had been the three-baggers made by these two, and now they again came to the front. Hardy, the sophomore second-baseman, got his base on balls and stole second. Hal then came to the bat and knocked a safe one to right that scored Hardy and landed him on first. Green, the first-baseman, was thrown out at AND MAIN: LIBRARY. first and Hal reached second. Eddie Price reached first i an error, Hal making third. And then Joe Blake came to the bat, and for the second time sent the ball to the other end of the field. But ths time it was a four-bagger by a close decision, and while Princeton went crazy with joy all three crossed the plate and the score was seven to nine. Again, in the eighth, Hal made a safe hit that brought in a run, and was himself scored by Price’s sacrifice. And that is how the score was tied when the ninth began and the game won its nickname. Hal saved Princeton a score in the ninth by a phenomenal stop that was cheered for five minutes straight, and Captain Lincoln himself won the game with a neat two-bagger that sent.a runner home. CHAPTER THE GREEK EXAMINATION. It was a.beautiful June, and the lovely, elm-shaded cam- pus was the nightly scene of large gatherings of students, who sang and joked and smoked away the éarly evening hours. Picturesque, indeed, it was, especially as the moon was nearing its full. College boys quickly learn to sing, and the strumming of guitars and banjos added to the melody. Now and then the glee-club would gather for a brief impromptu concert under the trees, and then townfolks would flock in by hundreds to listen. Commencement was approaching, and there was sich talk of honors and prizes. Examinations had begun a week or more before and were nearly completed now. were all through, and, mighty proud of their dignity as com- ing men of the world, they swelled it around the campus and talked of what they would do in life. On the steps of old North were gathered a crowd of fresh- men. It was just after supper. " “Heigho!” sighed Shorty Smith, “it is nearly over now. Thank the gods, there.is only Greek left, and by noon to- morrow that will be done with.” Inly Greek!” growled Frank Baldwin. but think of what comes in between.” “TI suppose that means you are going o oe all night.” -“That’s just what it means, worse luck. “You ought to be a poller and keep up in term time, like Hal duarkin, here. Hh, Halty “T’ve got some work myself to-night,’ said Hal. “There’s Jim \Halloway.. Hello, Jim! Come over here and chin a bit,” shouted Shorty. Jim only shook his head and walked on. “Jove! How that boy is running down physically!’ ex- claimed Frank. “Look at him! He’s as pale as a ghost!” “He's too ambitious,’ said George Gilmer; hard. He hasn’t got the strength to stand it. come out, | wonder ?”’ “Oh; he’s easily first. in everything so far,” Barrow. “I heard Professor Jacobs say that he never saw such a‘masterly paper as he turned in on mathematics. But I guess Hal is bad! to push him prety hard in. Greek. How about it, Hal? “That’s all right, How has he “studies too: The seniorty- a | § said Harry AOA AIC EEE LEED SCD EL TLIOL ED ; and on questi PA las KNOCK one SS hould i } ey, ao “y tw I O a et al al- made (eden ers = Say indet know,” $ UE IOLICE 114 4 1 noti now, you K I 4 ty i lit SM cine ne wean on Princeton Inn, where he had He had not Just now he was bound for been invited to take tea with the Halloways. seen Jim since the Greek examination of yesterday morning, for the reason that his chum was sick. The moment the strain of examinations was lifted Jim collapsed, and, as Hal heard the story, nothing but the news, brought to him that very morning, that he had won the Greek first saved him from the threatened fever. At noon Hal received a note from Mrs. Halloway, saying that Jim could be seen. and asking him to tea. it was a very cordial greeting that Hal received from the Halloways, the more cordial because all knew that Jim’s victory was Hal’s defeat. It was a rather trying ordeal for Hal, with the consciousness of his own sacrifice keen within him, “You made me fight hard for it, old boy,” said Jim, hold- ing Hal’s hands in both of his, “and now that I’ve won out [ feel guilty for taking it from the best friend I have in the world.” “And I,” said Hal manful y, am proud to be beaten by you. {fam glad, really, heartily glad you did me up.”’ “I ‘believe you, Mr. Larkin,” said Mrs. Halloway, with feeling. “And I want you to believe me when I! say that my joy in Jim’s honors is greatly tempered by the thought that they were in part gained at your expense.” But it was Lilian’s kind words that Hal prized most. “T will confess to you, Mr. Larkin,’ she said, “that I entertained some rather hard feelings toward you when I thought that you were trying your best to get away Jim’s honors. But I realize that it was very unreasonable of me to feel that way, and I am now ready to believe implicitly that you are actually glad, for Jim’s sake, that you were defeated.” “Indeed I am, Miss Halloway,”’ said Hal, somewhat car- ried away by kindly emotion. “I told you once I would make any sacrifice for Jim, and I am awfully glad that I had the chance—I mean the—the (teal realized that he was getting into deep water. “I mean,” he stammered, “I am awiully glad he beat me against my best efforts.’ For a moment Lilian’s face showed a faint suspicion of him. “It must have been very hard for you,’ she said, “to be defeated.” “Tt was, indeed,” Hal answered, blushing. oi the night before at study.” “T sat up most @lLilian’s face cleared in a moment, and she said heartily: “Well, we will think all the more of you, Mr. Larkin, for your defeat, though we cannot hope that that will console you ror losing the honor.” “To have you think of me more than consoles me, Miss Lilian,” Hal burst out, with feeling, and then blushed and stopped, for he was conscious that, trite though the compli- ment was, to him it meant intense truth: That Lilian saw his meaning, too, was evident from a certain embarrassed flush. But just then Jim, who had been talking to his mother, broke in: “What did you step upon, Hal?” “The last half of the last question,” said Hal. the rest perfect.” “T had all MIGHT AND. MAIN LIBRARY: “It must have been a pretty close Jim, “for I wasn’t any too strong on that question myself. I was awfully afraid that you knew it pat. If you hag, you'd have beaten me.” This ended the talk about the examinations, much to Hal's reliet The tea was-a most delightful one. It was served in the private parlor of their suite, and Hal helped Jim into a large armchair, which he drew up to the cozy table. “You'll be all right now, old boy,” said Hal heartily. “Now that the strain is over, your health will come back in wagon-loads.”’ : “Jim mustn’t study so hard next year,’ said Mrs. Hal- loway. “Well,” said Hal. “Now that he has once proved to the world that when he wants to try he can be head of his class, perhaps he won’t have the same temptation to overwork.” “Perhaps I won't,’ said Jim, smiling. Of course they talked baseball. How could they help it, with the Yale game two days ahead? “I do. love baseball,” said Lilian, “and are you going to play, Mr. Larkin?” “Yes; he’s going to play third base,” said Jim. “Why, 1 thought that was Mr. Webster’s position,” said Lilian. ‘So it was,” said Jim triumphantly, “but Hal has knocked- Webster out of it.” “Tm not so sure of that,” said Hal. “But poor Mr. Webster, how disappointed he will be! exclaimed Lilian, with an anxious look. 33 y 4 “I always seem to be interfering with the ambitions your. friends, Miss Halloway,” Hal remarked bitterly. “I hate to hear him called her friend,” cried Jim. “He’s a mean and cowardly fellow.” “You've no right to say so,” retorted Lilian, with some watmth, “has he, Mr. Larkin?’ : But Hal declined to take a side. “T only know him very. slightly,” he replied. “T will not believe anything against Mr. Webster. without good proof,” said Lilian, “and you don’t offer any, Jim. You simply slander him.” “Well, you’ll find out some day that what I say is true,” said Jim. In spite of Lilian’s defense of Webster, Hal’s dreams were very sweet that night. Billy Webster had passed his sophomore examinations — —jj with credit and had now assumed the junior dignity. But he was not happy. His face had taken on an almost habitual look of discontent. The fact is, he was a disappointed and a defeated man. “Beaten at every turn!” he said to himself, as he put the finishing touches to his toilet the afternoon following Hal’s \: ; evening with the Halloways. And yet he had by no means given up his hope of playing j third base in the Yale game. Since the issue was defined — by Captain Lincoln just before the Harvard game, he and Larkin had played the position turn.and turn about. In his own opinion he had played much better ball than his rival. Then, too, it was now his turn. decision, then,’ safd¢ 0 io a MIGHT AN. ally thw warted by t! himself in Nevertheless, he had been so continua ‘,m}an that he had determined to revenge "way. , He felt sure that he was in much better grace Lilian Halloway than Hal was; Hal was greatly attracted by her. this victory to himself. He would settle Hal once for all Lilian’s His plan was perfected before he made his a with fair but he was also sure that He would at least secure at the Princeton Inn, and Webster well knew how to carry it ef- fectively into execution. He was a handsome fellow, .and his ease in conversation was exceptional. ; Lilian was very glad to see him, gladder t her mother, who entertained an instinctive di even apart from Jim’s estimate of him. Webster talked of town’and the opera and the latest things in the literary world. He chatted and joked and made him- self very agreeable. He could be exceedingly when he chose. “T heard of your brother’s su pleasure,” “but, win in every branch practically without. competition, He had no rivals.” “Oh, yes, he did, least. Greek.” han islike for the young man, fascinating ecess with a great deal of he said, of course, everybody knew he would ’ said Lilian earnestly, “in one branch, at There was the strongest kind of an opposition in ay asked “You don’t mean, eh—that fellow, do‘ you?” Webster, in a tone of partial surpris “Mr. Larkin? in that scornful way?” But Webster raised his ey rhanged the topic of conversation. Of course her what.all realized. “Well,” he with assumed diffidence, ‘I really do not like to enlighten you about this man, but you are bound to anyway, alk is in everybody’s Ves, of course, a do you refer to him only ebrows, hesitated, and he expected Lilian to plead with him to tell this meant, and of course his expectation was said, hear it some day, mouth.” “Dear me!” exclaimed Lilian, “what has he done?” “Oh, he hasn’t murdered anybody,” said Webster, laugh- ing, ‘“but-first you must promise not to tell this to any one.’ for the “Certainly,” said Lilian, her curiosity now piqued to the highest degree. “Well,” said Webster, dropping his voice impressively, is no doubt that this fellow, who is quite a dunce at though he seems bright enough to talk to, brother to give CEE aATS books S, has Ne a been making himself a oe as a scholar.” most scandalous use of your “Dear me!” exclaimed Lilian, Qushing. “How? Do tell me how?” “Well,” said Webster, i about his Hine a et to tgs.) ASA “there's no truth in these stories brother in Greek. fact, there Ww ie stood nearer to your brother in that exam- very poor one. He ght, and yet he gives your rT your They were Fer of oth ination did not have a it out that h by a mer 99 wm = S 8. oD oo cc oO wm o ° s s cae brother MAIN LIBRARY. © 25 “Mercy!” exclaimed Lilian, “what a dishonorable and un- truthful proceeding | I can scarcely believe it of him: He seems such a nice fellow.” “That is just where the danger in him comes in,” said own classmates But do let us talk Why, his him out. Webster. “He is so plausible are only now a ne to find oa of somebody or something pleasanter.”’ “But one ane. i: efore we change the subject,’ said Lilian, 1 direct way of getting at the bottom of “do.you bilew that this is really true?’ ‘Cottainty I know it is true,” said Webster confidently. “How do you know it?” asked Lilian. “Why, common report,’ said Webster, aback by this cross-questioning. But he e looked doubtful at this reply and im- mediately ¢ plunge. A thing worth doing was worth who had a somewhat taken saw that sh decided to doing well. he said, “Professor Harper told me about his But, mind you, you must tell this to no one. You promised.” SOR, it is true Besides,” examination-paper. said Lilian, “if Professor Harper said so, astonished than | can tell you.” Sec fs Buti a Webster left Lilian well satisfied. He saw that she be- lieved implicitly his about Hal. He had shrewdly played upon the greatest and deepest affection of her life, her love for her brother, and he saw that he had done well. He left Lilian despising and hating Hal with the full force of her nature. He saw this, and went to his supper in an exceedingly self-satisfied state of mind. As for Lilian, she could hardly believe her own hearing. She had been drawn much to Hal the evening before by the very straightforward, manly qualities which am more story reason of now she was told, on such excellent authority, that he did not possess. She was nonplused. And to think that such. a man as this was her brother’s best friend ! f CHAPTER: Xf. A TABLEAU. Who was going to play third base? The whole university was asking this question. The con- test between the two men had become.a matter of the live- liest interest. Webster’s entire class naturally sided with him: The majoirty of the other students were out and out partisans of Hal Larkin. Who would play third? . None, of course, were so interested in the matter as the two principals themselves. Both were in a state of excite- ment that increased as the time of the great game ap- proached. art that Hal went to for the final prac- Nevertheless, it I was with a light he the varsity y grounds late in the tise. There was to be no game with the scrubs, but Captain Lincoln wanted to have all his men on review, so to speak, 1 big crowd at the interest in the next day’s at to look them over once more. i 01S but eg etn tact was a 4 grounds Nnorwitnstana s z i | | i. i FREER TIE THROES Re LIBI NI EN a= — = AND rr 4 i ( vi I gf \ k and ack ster turned b net Web *~ 4 : ‘ derstood til ic fe Oey Meus Sint “” cu sé the SOE nh ainicso Se. 3 hou de } 1 ‘ V1 ing- ye a ¢ was © 5 his boar mething him t Jt a a with him ‘ TS asl . 10T1S, a eye ache hit Haha bbed sta 5 h ad ‘ er 4 UL ich Webs ix APs LCe. cé at on ine SUNS! vith wW and Ly aciousl talking v: Oo ar wad ne re stood The 1 A scape. xy Pee Vi Ou Wa 1é I van “s ‘ practi { Len, 4 ] VY Vv CDS * ¥ x It was 4 be tO Him xt 4 Ad Nes IG TLE? SER TT PTER XIII E rd Le -faced and \ young y + ° 0 S om: § Las it never nd Pik in ewhat, and—yes ‘Th red sot the colo = see him one mo- have come over her per, sor Har Profes 4 L 441 ul O Vho ¢ th ¥ 5 MIGHT AND but she did not know what he would think of her early call ‘\-alad her errand. | The fact is, Lilian could not keep away. She had been Oppressed by the story that Webster had told her of Hal. This story far from agreed with many other reports of Hal’s . scholarship and standing, and, besides, it made of Hal a creature” so contemptible that she could not reconcile him with her conception from actual acquaintance with the real man. Now, Lilian was just above all things. The more she thought of this story of Webster’s the more she felt con- strained to doubt it. In her first belief she had cut. Hal severely on the ball-field, and the hurt and astonished look on his face still haunted her. If this tale proved untrue, she felt that she owed him many and deep apologies. _ It was a far from pleasant position for the girl, compelled her to practically blot from the book of her ac- quaintance one of these two men. For if Webster’s story were true, Hal was not deserving of recognition, and, if it | were not true, then Webster, it, proved him- | self far more contemptible than he had painted Hal. , ] 90, atter a’ night's sleep, Li stand the | for 4 in the telling of ilian could no longer attracted by Hal’s manliness on the evening he spent with ‘ the family, she decided, right or wrong, to prove the | truth of this story. The way was simple. She had only to | go to Professor Harper. And that is how we find her at his door this morning. “Why, | cried Professor Harper, hurry- i ire from his breakfast room, napkin in hand. “Is there any- thing I can do for you? Do come in and sit down.” il - But Lilian declined. She was somewhat embarrassed, “TE > and did not know how to begin. Professor Harper noted | this, and, leading her out on the porch, seated her in a com- fortable rocker. “Well, Professor Harper,” she began finally. “You will doubtless think it strange that I should ask these questions, but you must remember that Mr. Larkin is a most intimate friend of my. brother’s.” “Yes,” said the professor, much puzzled. if “The fact is, some.very ugly stories have been told us of Mr. Larkin, and it is really necessary for me to know how he stands in his studies, particularly Greek.’ strain. She had been much and straightforward bearing and Miss Halloway,” > “Ugly stories!” exclaimed Mr. Harper. “Then I'll war- rant they are untrue. I jmave the highest respect for Mr. Larkin,” Lilian did not confess to herself how these warm words pleased her. “Was the issue close between Mr. Larkin and my brother for the Greek honors?” Lilian asked. “The closest contest I ever saw or heard of,’ Pro- fessor Harper promptly. “On recitations during the term he and Mr. Halloway were an exact tie; and your brother’s ex- a point better than his. It was really decide the honor... Mr. Larkin ) it on thé mere amination was es Me £0 4 mbharra emo rassii ‘cide when she thought of Webstet rs citation ae this very man in proof of his untruthful assertions. MAIN LIBRARY. 27 “Well,” she said, “that settles the question, Professor Harper, and I am greatly obliged to you, for you have shown me that some one has greatly maligned Mr. Larkin, and caused me to do him an injustice that I will now do my best to expiate. One. question more: 1 was also told that he failed somewhere in every one of his examination ques- See ce SESE tons: \ “On the contrary, Miss Halloway,”’ exclaimed the pro- fessor, “Mr. Larkin’s paper was one of the most brilliant I have ever handled. Up to the last question it was, in some respects, better even than your brother’s. He failed only in the last question, and, Miss Halloway, I am at a great loss to understand why he did, for he must have known the an- swer perfectly. In fact, I recall that he made a perfect 4 recitation on that very point not more than three weeks ago.” “You don’t say so?” exclaimed Lilian. “That is very strange. How do you explain it?’ [ do not explain it,’ said Mr. Harper. “I suppose it was some sudden and unaccountable lapse of memory, though Mr. Larkin’s memory is a very fine one, and seldom, if ever, goe B goes back on him.” sy this time Lilian’s face was flaming, and her expression one that Professor Harper could not interpret. A sudden thought had occurred fo the girl, a thought that took her breath away, that filled her with a sense of shame for her own actions and admiration for the young man whom she had so, severely cut the evening before. | “I see it all,” she said audibly, though speaking to herself. She was recalling Hal’s visit to the hotel, and that confusion of his that even at the time awoke a certain momentary sus- picion in her. Now it was all as plain as noonday. “I thank you very much, Professor Harper,” she left. Lilian walked back to the inn. The more she thought of her supposition the more she believed in it. Yes, Hal Lar- kin had sacrificed himself for her brother = 3 wm she said, as CHAPTER XIV. TEE YALE G AM By Such an ae as arose from the big enclosure at the far end of town! Such Such’ a oe of chee a i game had not yet begun, but as filled. Every ae 0 was occupied. ee al trains had brought thousands of oe from far and near. The commence- fale contingent, every and blue ribbon, a babel of voices! he ei i was there: ding-room ment crowd was and a large Y with lungs man plentifully supplied had d driven up in a big omnibus; and was received with an ovation, in which ee and foe cheerily nine was straggling in, and every man of them received an upfoarious greeting from the great throng. The Princeton t A din) and her mother’ having iage. Just as they entered the feild and the waiting throng made out Hal’s identity and began to cheer, a man ran up and touched. Hal on the arm. MIGHT AND MAIN LIBRARY. Hal turned to see who it was, and stood face to face with ' the cheering, stimes counts for ( Brown. for it, The proctor had him. H Yale was first at the bat, and. he n the fivet music now as any time. He beck “pick up the wi ie vw. The Yale supporters or broke of] 1 a4 1 * "I t 4 rs * = “0 a+ them, while the bio crowd, balkec 1 in he Ow ll opposition. They were bound ) Fe ? ? cA ROT aero recat “barking Larkin! next week i x Pane. Yale man Aa - VV very ne won the ap- by the of those surprises it served moment f the play de- fallen ba ck: to SECOTIC from cheerful, from ston point ot view, he Hal came to the bat ih 4 There was a man on first base, and none out, took the all offered... It was a magnificent home and scored two runs to balance against Yale’s six. ENDS WELL, said Lin- eerie, Let then,” j a ctant spectat to ¢ 1 ae Bei 1 nae se : ee baser between first and second. Two went ot again / t Hal came to the bat, and promptly had two strikes balled roariousl ‘They elled Lincolr prepare Hal gave of two oO > a tas foot, and’ urally four to one, an if n had the bes rrasped his bat the tight The other was that of a young: MIGHT: man who sat in baseball clothes on the bench set out for substitutes. Webster’s face was pale, and his eyes, as they met Hal’s, were full of hate. Doubly, yes, triply, bidden to do his best, Hal’s arms felt a glow of nervous heat as he raised the bat. With enormous power he swung it to meet the swift-coming ball. The sharp erack of wood and leather, the dearest of all sounds to the ball-lover’s ear, brought most of Prineston’s anxious watch- ers to their feet, for the juncture was a most important one. If they were going to win at all it would be then. What a wild shout. went forth as the ball sped over the nead of the second-baseman, and Hal dashed for first, while Lincoln, with joy in his’ heart, but one eye on the ball, trotted slowly homeward. All eyes were fixed upon that ball as it described its long parabola First of all the second-baseman had started for it as it left the bat, only to give up running after a dozen about, self-consciously, as if ashamed to have that he even thought such a high in air. steps and glance folks possibly be within his reach. And now the center-fielder was after it, bounding along toward the fence, running with all his might and occasion- ally glancing upward over his shoulder to get his bearings. How that crowd did howl! Women and girls, as well as men and crazy students, jumped-up and down and screamed at the top of waved orange and black flags and handkerchiefs till their arms ached. The man on second, ae had neared third and nervously waited to see if it would be a caught fly or if he dared go in and score. And Hal? Well, his head was down and he was now approaching second with the speed of a sprinter for a record. Suddenly the shouting became a mighty roar. The center- fielder gave a last frightened glance overhead and looked no more, only ran away from the game the faster. The para- bola had reached that point in its development where it be- came evident that its course was much larger than was ex- pected. Lincoln gave a and trotted home, lowed by Joyce, who come in from third galloping like a frisky schoolboy in his glee. “Come in! Come in! Come in!’ yelled Lincoln to Hal, and the crowd, now quite mad with joy, took up the cry. Hal darted around second, and took up his. march to third t the music of three thousand shouting throats. Hal made it with ease. In fact, when he crossed t the ball was scarcely more than in hand. It was one of the longest hits ever made in a college game.* think ball could their they Voices, as 7 1 now, joyful cry, fol- he plate There was a momentary lull when Ke crossed the plate, and then the storm of enthusiasm broke again. “Three cheers for Larkin!” sho who was afterward identified as outed a strong-voiced man, Professor Harper himself. The entire throng gave them with a will, cheered thric and thrice more, and then fell into a wild panic of promiscu- ous cheering that lasted several minutes. The score was five to six in Yale’s favor. It was not Princeton’s fortune to make it more in that inning, but in the eighth, after Yale had failed to increase her lead, Joe Blake got in a two-bagger that pushed Burpee over the home plate. Joe himself failed to land, but the score was six to. six. AND MAIN LIBR RARY. It was a pretty situation for the ninth inning of a Prince- ton-Yale game. To say that the crowd was crazy was to put it mildly. When Yale went to bat her supporters fairly rent the air with their cheers, and under the impulse the Yale batters knocked out two basers that enabled them to cover first and second. Two men were out, and when the Yale captain batted an easy bounder to Hal, Yale’s hopes vanished. But Hal had momentarily lost his cunning. He fumbled it, dropped it, picked it up, stopped half-way in his throw to first in order to make his put-out at third. But he was too late. The bases were filled, he the ball still in his hand. Princeton uttered a groan and Yale a ia phan yell. “Nothing on sue can stop us,’ shouted a Yale student, throwing his arms about wildly,/and the man at the bat struck hard and viciously. It was one of those straight-up- in-the-air ones, nearly over third. Hal and Joe both started for it. “Larkin!” yelled Captain Lincoln. It was a miscalculation. Though hard for either, a better chance for left field. Hal ran backward a few steps and then saw the error. The fly would reach into the field. He turned and ran, then wheeled and made ready. No, he was wrong again. Again he turned and again fan. Eventually it was a very difficult catch over his left shoul- der. He got it. The side was out. The score was still tied. Princeton came to the bat and scored a run with ease. “Always that confounded Larkin,’ muttered Webster, be- tween his teeth. It was indeed again Hal. home a runner from second. That game is still talked of on the Princeton campus. It was one that ruined a host of voices for the commencement exercises that took place two days later; a game that made stern professors boys again. More than one gray-headed doctor, whose scholastic fame crossed two continents, flung his silk hat into the air and shouted like a freshman. After it was all over and a thousand crazy students had finished executing a war-dance round the nine and cheering every individual player, Hal found Jim and Lilian in the crowd. As he approached them Webster steppéd in front of him and extended his hand to the girl. But Lilian entirely overlooked him. Running to Hal, she put both hands into his and cried: “I congratulate you so much, Mr. Larkin. It was you who won the game! And, oh, Mr. Larkin, I want » tell you that I know all, and I think you a very noble man.’ “Know all what?’ asked Hal. “About the Greek examination and your sacrifice for Jim,” she whispered. “Now, don’t deny it, for I know it all.” And blushing Hal, greatly wondering, but not denying, cannot be blamed for holding her warm little hands much tighter and far longer than the proprieties of a public base- ball-+ground usually warrant. it was His pretty two-bagger took THE END. Next week’s is monds; sue, No. 70, is entitled “The Valley of Dia- or, The Last Descendant of Sinbad, the Sailor.” LARGE number of boys have become tired of that ‘‘sameness’’ about most five cent libraries. Might and Main is published jy especially for boys who want a big five cents’ worth and still =) want to be interested. a The stories in this line are at least one third longer than in any other library and deal with the adventures of boys who reached the top of the ladder by their own efforts. A different story is published every week, dealing with the adventures of a different set of characters. a ee some j= qc ae Vs J Price 3c. er op w : i . im For sale by all newsdealers, or sent by the publishers to any address upon receipt of money or postage stamps ie go—From Switch to Lever; or, The Young Engineer | 54—The Young Klondikers; or, Jud Kent's Golden 4 hy of the Mountain Express. Stake. = 4i—Little Snap, the Post-boy; or, Working for Uncle § 55—-The Boy Musician; or, Playing to Win His Way. © | C f 5 to an Sam, ani inning His Rights; or, The Fortunes of Vernon Lo! 42—Frank Marvin's Search; or, The Brookville. Boys Craig. aan Club. 7—Bright and E arly; or, [he Boys Who Got There. 43—His One Ambition; or, The Mishaps of a Boy Re- ey de Crawford, Champion; or, How the Worst. porter. Boy in Town Won Out. ’ 44—All Aboard; or, The Cruise of Rodney Marshall. 59—Under Full Steam; or, The Tugboat Route to Suc- —— 45—The Mud River Boys; or, The light for Penlow’s cess. ' Mill. 6o-—-The Roustabout Boys; or, A Trip to Maine. e 46—Thrown on the World; or, A Young Clerk’s Ad- | 61—Bringinge Back the Gold; or, Adventures Under— lh hh ventures, African Skies. = 47-—Never Give Up; or, Harry Holton’s Resolve. 62—A Game for Millions; or, The Luck of a Young 48—Striking Out for Himself; or, The Mystery of Reporter. siant Forest The Boys of the Honor ( } f , Or, The boys.ot the, i 49—A Business Boy; or, Hal Hartley's Race for VFor- Bright Company. _ tune. a es ee 64—-Phil Farley, Rainbow Chaser; or, The Fortunes of so0—The Copper Coterie; or, From Rocks’ to Riches. a Black *Sheep. bi-—Pluck Beats Luck; or, Tom Talbot’s Trails and | , ae = ee 2B ; a eee ure) Or, heen ae Trails and 65—A. Bee-line to Fortune; or, The Luck of Two eaqas ADI S eo ny y 3 aa an ms ; Young Gold Hunters. s2—A Team of Thoroughbreds; or, The Mystery of a ee Pe ee 1 : Ly , 66——-Crossed Wires; or, The Boy Electrician. Postage-stamp. af Z Ca. ? 53—“Little Hickory; or. Ragged Rob's Young Re- 67---For Home and Honor; or, A Brave B 2 ’s Battles. public. 68—The Lest Million; or, Boys of The Pony Express. if TOU WANT BACK NUMBERS of our libraries, and cannot get them from your newsdealers, they can be obtained from this office direct. Cut ont and fill in the fellowing Order Blank and send it to us with the price of the books you want and we will send them to you by return mail, POSTAGE STAMPS TAKEN THE SAMB AS MONEY. THE WINNER LIBRARY COMPANY, 165 West Fifteenth St., New York. Gentlemen :—Enclosed find.....-.-.--.--00- cents for whieh send me: sauces SddcuvsneeshewerkecenseeutsCkeeneawevesluaueencrouLae US a copies of Might and Main WOR ey noascvescee-GOpies of Bowery Boy Nos... 2.0.01. -- +--+ eee ne nee cee ner eeee WhrnO. bee cts leccurentens WAR ere ae Cn Li Lv Cera eitoai ts Street aug Noe oe as es EU ig Lipa aac Dupo ie Downs .ci.¢ Toone ue State ees eae eens BOY LIE IN ISSUED EVERY WEDNESDAY. HANDSOME COLORED COVERS The hero of these stories is Bowery Billy whose pluck and wit are by-words among the people who dwell on the lower “East Side” of New York. Billy is only a wait, but he proves himself true as steel to his & friends and makes things mighty uncomfortable for his enemies. Do not fail to buy the Bowery Boy Liprary. PRICE FIVE CENTS For sale by all newsdealers, or sent, postpaid, by the publishers to an address upon receipt of price in money or postage stamps. Nt if HERE ARE THE LATEST TITLES: t : Ria P i ‘ i + - i — | re 4. _ 64-—Bowery Billy's s Trick; or, Playing a Double Hat a 74-—Bowery Billy for the Defense; or, The Firebug of 65——Bowery Billy's New Chum; or, Phil Irwin’s Fight Findley ig CI a : ae ing Chai so an * zt 78—Bowery Billy. the Trolley Sleuth; or, Spotting the 66—Bowery Billy and the Bench-warmers; or, The Transfer Grafters i : - 4S Search for Basil Lyndhurst. ee eee Bill. tee Niokthawl aos £ se sy Js | a O- we y, the Nighthawk; or, The Slip- 67——Bowery Billy’s Tenderloin Chase; or, Mr. Nobody, ia a ie , Se re ‘from Nowhere. . oe aed ; 80-—Bowery Billy and the Missing May Queen; or, 68—Bowery Billy and the Panhandlers; or, Spotting the Fagin of Essex Street. ; Bianca, the Aone at Little Italy 66-—Bowery Billy’s Strange Case; or, The Belle of Lit- 81—Bowety Billy and the Action Alibi; or, Following tle Germany, a Fine Spun Thread. 7o-——Bowery Billy's Clean Sweep; or, Bob, the Besom, | 82—Bowery Billy and the Studio Mystery; or, The at Bay. Lost Van Dyke Portrait. ieee T } y "1 J r a ab . . a . zi {1 re ae s - ooke oe Trail; or, The Hermit of | 83—Bowery Billy’s Mission; or, Sharpie Makes a Home ireenwich Village Rt oo) “ un. sca ; i: sa ag ee accent W ibs f O Fage = OT { asing -E + a>) 4 re | i oe 72——Bowery. Billy and aN e Jolly Comrade; or, Chasing | 8,--Bowery Billy’s Decoration; or, A Mystery of the the Sound Pirat French Quarter. 62. Powe ; ; SOLA Sey Tee uae seer oN 73—Bowery Billy’s Cae, or, Rounding Up the Bed 3owery Billy’s Great Dive; or, Sharpie Foils the Pe ee , es Kye oat Plot Against Edie. 74—Bowery Billy’s Black Hand Warning; or, The }| 96—Bowe1 ‘y Billy on a Lark; or, The Eventful Cruise Great Bayard: Street Mystery. . of the Jolly Comrade. 75——Bowery Billy on Dangerous Ground; or, The De- | 87—Bowery Billy on the East Side Roofs; or, Trailing tective’s Double. the Flying Man. ~6--Rowerv Billy’s April Fool; or, Bursting a Financial | 88—Bowery Billy’s 100 to 1 Shot; or The Goddess of 7 3 | dS ’ > Bubble. 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Gut out and fill in the following Order Blank and send it to us with the price of the books you want and we will send them to you by return mail, POSTAGE STAMPS TAKEN THE SAME AS MONEY. ’ THE WINNER LIBRARY COMPANY, 165 West Fifteenth St., New York. ee as Lueoeupkeuesns Sisudeucocaweueegeee i Gentlemen :—Enclosed find..........-.:<.-.- cents for which send me: copies of Bowery Boy, NoS...-.---.2-s0e-0---eecenmreceeoneeeceeees | weeerceneees copies of Might and Main Nos:.....2.222220.0.0. 2-402 cole Ps ekeveuanwe wudseuanssameloon ANG NO ooo oso eco oe cies Sete Uensadeee pactemncucses DOWD sc nauawecccenceneccsOt@UOrrctcsvir ese cne shone TE. received so many hundreds of really excellent letters from readers of the Rough Rider Weekly in response to our first offer of gold dollars, that the Committee awarding the twenty leading prizes had considerable difficulty in carrying out their work; which, how- ever, was finally done, the names printed, and the rewards sent forward.’ From time to time we © shall print in our Chat Columns all these letters entering into the competition. And we also hope that every one who participated in the first contest will decide to take advantage of our second great offer. Tell us what, in your mind, a cracking good story of RANCH “AND RANGE LIFE should be, and whether these stones by Mr. Ned Taylor fill the bill We believe they stand in a class by themselves; and from many a Western cattle State we daily receive letters full of praise and enthusiasm for the work of OUR COWBOY AUTHOR which letters are written by those entirely familiar with life on the prairie ranches, and who would laugh to scorn stories by an author whom they knew never could have ridden a bucking bronco. Make up your mind to try for these golden prizes right away. Even if you fail to secure one of the twenty leading prizes, we expect to send a splendid consolation offering to every one who competes. Let us know in what way these tales of the Wild West appeal to you, and what you have done to influence your boy pards to read them regularly. ‘The competition is open from April | until October 1, 1907, when the prizes will be awarded, full name and address of every winner being published in the Rough Rider Weekly. SS AMS Ny MgC CNM Rad's MAS ARSE A a lah TUM a VEN ea SIC cis a SPR DRE UTP ROCF RAMEN ES AGM ASPEN UE HERE ARE THE PRIZES nn 2 i $10 in Gold for the Best Letter. $5 in Gold for Each of the Three Next Best Letters. 2.00 in Gold for Each of the Six Next Best Letters. [ $1 in Gold for Each of the Ten N t Letters. | LS FEES FEST REEL ae ae BE CIENT The letters should not be longer than 250 words and should be plainly addressed to “Manager of Rough Rider Letter Competition,” care of Street & Smith.’ Now, boys, jump in and resolve to win a cash prize. STREET & SMITH, Publishers, 79-89 Seventh Avenue, NEW YORK WH THE FAVORITE LIST |. OF FIVE-CENT LIBRARIES Might and Main These are stories of the adventures of boys who succeeded in climbing the ladder of fame by honest effort. No more interest- ing tales can be imagined. Each number is at least one-third longer than the ordinary five-cent library. DIAMOND DICH WEEKLY The demand for stirring stories of Western adventure is admir- ably filled by this library. Every Ted Strong was appointed deputy mar- shal by accident, but he resolves to use his authority and rid his ranch of some very tough bullies. He does it in such a slick way that everyone calls him ‘‘King of the Wild West” and he certainly deserves his title. $100 in cash are given to the readers of this publication, up-to-date boy ought to read just how law and order are estab- ||: lished and maintained on our}, Western plains by Diamond Dick, | Buy a copy and learn how to come in for a Se ofit Bertie, and Handsome Harry. NICK CARTER WEEKLY We know, boys, that there is no need of introducing to you Nicholas Carter, the greatest sleuth that ever lived. Every number containing the adven- tures of Nick Carter has a peculiar, but delightful, power of fascina- tion. Buffalo Bill is the hero of a adventures These are thousand exciting among the Redskins. given to our boys only in the Buffalo Bill Stories. They are bound to interest and please you. BRAVE AND BOLD . Every boy who prefers variety in his reading matter, ought to be a reader of Brave and Bold. All these were written by authors who are past masters in the art of telling boys’ stories. Every tale is complete in itself. BOWERY BOY LIBRARY The adventures of a poor waif | whose only name is ‘‘Bowery Billy.”’ Billy is the true product of the streets of New York. No boy can read the tales of his trials without imbibing some of that resource and courage that makes the character of this homeless boy stand out so prominently. The Tip Top Weekly Frank Merriwell and his brother Dick are known and loved by over one hundred and fifty thousand of the best boys in the United States. They are both clean-cut, vigorous fellows who dare to do right no matter what the consequences. Get the current number. We are sure you will like it. ee