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diff --git a/old/62989-0.txt b/old/62989-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 5aee4c8..0000000 --- a/old/62989-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,5589 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Jimmy Kirkland of the Cascade College Team, by -Hugh Stuart Fullerton - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: Jimmy Kirkland of the Cascade College Team - -Author: Hugh Stuart Fullerton - -Illustrator: Charles Paxson Gray - -Release Date: August 20, 2020 [EBook #62989] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK JIMMY KIRKLAND--CASCADE COLLEGE TEAM *** - - - - -Produced by Mardi Desjardins & the online Distributed -Proofreaders Canada team at https://www.pgdpcanada.net - - - - - - JIMMY KIRKLAND - OF THE - CASCADE COLLEGE TEAM - - BY - HUGH S. FULLERTON - - ILLUSTRATED BY - CHARLES PAXSON GRAY - - - PHILADELPHIA - THE JOHN C. WINSTON COMPANY - PUBLISHERS - - - - - Copyright, 1915, by - The John C. Winston Company. - - PRINTED IN U. S. A. - - - - -[Illustration: “So You Quit—Quit Cold?”] - - - - - To - - Amos Alonzo Stagg - - Player, coach and teacher, who has made the ideal of purity and - honesty in college sport a reality, this volume is respectfully - inscribed. - - - - - CONTENTS. - - - Chapter Page - I. The New Man at Cascade 9 - II. Larry Clashes with the Coach 21 - III. Larry Seeks Revenge 33 - IV. An Old Friend Is Found 46 - V. Krag Reads Larry a Lesson 58 - VI. A Friend in the Foe’s Camp 66 - VII. A Lesson in Obedience 74 - VIII. A Victory Over Self 82 - IX. The Pig in the Parlor 91 - X. “Peeg” Excitement 99 - XI. “Paw” Lattiser Has a Plan 109 - XII. The Plan Succeeds 119 - XIII. The “Peeg Mystery” Cleared 128 - XIV. The Prodigal Pig Returns 137 - XV. Helen in Trouble 145 - XVI. A Treacherous Blow 156 - XVII. The Game with Golden 168 - XVIII. Larry Gets Some Facts 179 - XIX. “Paw” Lattiser to the Rescue 188 - XX. The Captain of Cascade 197 - XXI. Temptation 207 - XXII. A Game and An Ally Won 217 - XXIII. Helen Appeals for Help 226 - XXIV. The Quarrel with the Major 236 - XXV. The Final Game 247 - XXVI. Facing the World 258 - - - - - ILLUSTRATIONS - - - “So You Quit—Quit Cold?” Frontispiece - - Page - The Pig Was Borne up the Back Stair 97 - “How Can I Be a Professional?” 158 - “Oh Larry, Take Me Away!” 235 - - - - - JIMMY KIRKLAND OF THE - CASCADE COLLEGE - TEAM - - - - - CHAPTER I - _The New Man at Cascade_ - - -Boys, young men, men advanced in years but not in spirit, laughed, -shouted greetings, pounded each other upon backs and gripped hands—all -inspired with the joy of reunion. The shadows of the gray buildings of -Cascade College were sharply outlined upon the lawns and walks in the -brightness of California sunshine. Behind them the mountains sloped -steeply down from the forest-crowned heights to spread over the -shelf-like plateau which had been transformed from a wooded wilderness -of giant trees to a semi-tropical garden. - -Mask-faced Chinese youths in the severest of black clothing, a few in -the rustling gorgeousness of their native silks; Nipponese, who wore the -clothing of Americans as if they had crept into the garments without -disturbing the work of the tailor; American boys from ranch and -mountain, from desert and vineyard, in the loose freedom of Western -clothing; boys from San Francisco, garbed a month ahead of Broadway -style; clear-skinned, handsome Hawaiian youths; a group of dark-skinned -East Indian lads; representatives of East and West drawn together by -common pursuit of knowledge, pressed steadily toward the wide portals of -Ridgeway Hall. - -“Oh you Big Bill!” - -“Hello, Old Scout! How are the Rangers?” - -“Missed you at Honolulu, Dick.” - -“Did the mine pan out?” - -“Did you strike oil, Jimmy?” - -“Wow, there’s Nikki. Hi, you Nikki, how’s Yeddo?” - -Brown, yellow, black, red and white, they shouted the greetings and -brought the word from all parts of the world, while they importuned each -other for news of the long summer vacation. They spoke of Hawaii, the -Philippines, China, Japan, of mines in the mountains, ranches in the -desert, oil in the foothills, of oranges, pears and apples, of -lumbering, of Alaska, of sea voyages and hunting trips, of work and -play. - -The students of Cascade College were returning for the fall -semester—each with a wonder tale to tell. To Eastern college men the -scene would have seemed strange; for under the college spirit and the -bubbling joy of the return there was a deeper note. They were boys -again—schoolboys back from vacation—but during the two months they had -played the parts of men and they had the air of having had a part in the -big world outside the classroom. - -Standing alone, and feeling lonely during all the merriment, James -Lawrence Kirkland watched the reunion. Half a dozen times he had started -as if to join the press of students to reach the registrar’s office and -conclude the ordeal of matriculation, but each time he had stopped as if -fascinated by the sight of so many interesting boys. He found himself -liking and disliking them and striving to pick out those who would be -his friends and those who would be his enemies during the four years to -come. He saw an alert, keen-eyed little Nipponese youth running to meet -a giant of a boy in a broad Stetson hat. - -“Mr. Sunderland,” cried the brown youth. - -“Oh you Nikko,” yelled the giant, and lifted the lighter youth in his -arms and danced with him. - -This was Sunderland, the famous football player and hammer-thrower, and -Jimmy Kirkland watched him with new interest. And as he gazed he saw -upon the lapel of the coat of the little brown youth a service medal -that told of a year with Oku’s army in Manchuria. - -Larry felt suddenly insignificant and unimportant among these fellows, -scarcely older than he was, who had played a part of the world’s great -events. His confidence and assurance were evaporating, and he found -himself lonely among them all. He turned quickly and, jostling through -the glad throngs, he reached the registrar’s office and was enrolled. -The card which he filled in read: - - James Lawrence Kirkland. Residence, Shasta View Ranch, Pearton, - Oregon. Age, eighteen. - -He breathed more easily and carried himself with a new respect as he -descended the stairs. He was a full Freshman, with fewer conditions to -make up than he expected. His self-confidence returned, and he emerged -upon the campus again, walking lightly. - -He was an excellent type of athletic youth as he strolled slowly through -the throngs, keeping a sharp lookout for some familiar face. In spite of -his appearance of youth and his slenderness he possessed a magnificent -pair of shoulders, and his blue eyes looked fearlessly into the eyes of -those to whom he spoke. He carried himself jauntily, because of his -lightness of foot, and his sandy, rebellious hair that bordered upon -red, called attention to the well-formed head well set upon the wide -shoulders. - -Larry Kirkland was the ward of Major James Lawrence, owner of Shasta -View, one of the wealthiest men on the Pacific coast. He and Larry’s -father had been chums for years, and when the boy was left an orphan, -the Major had taken him, to make him his heir. Larry had organized the -boys of the ranch into a baseball team which, under his guidance and by -the advice of Bill Krag, a major league pitcher, had triumphed over all -opponents. His experience as manager of the Shasta View team, and his -athletic ability and experience in handling the boys who played with -him, had made it easy for Larry to become the leading athlete of the -preparatory school, near Portland. During his two years there he had -been captain of the baseball and track teams and had played on the -football team, and he had entered college with the expectation of being -greeted as a valuable acquisition. The fact that no one among all the -throng of students paid the slightest attention to him, caused him to -feel resentful. His buoyant spirit asserted itself. - -The scant respect with which the upper classmen showed to new men and to -the Freshmen irritated him. He was accustomed to being looked up to for -advice, to being a leader, and to dictating the course of action to his -associates, and to find himself treated as a small boy was humiliating. -He was standing upon a terrace, unnoticed save when some passing -Sophomore gave him a careless glance. He was angry with himself for -permitting the feeling of resentment to upset him when a shout caused -him to turn. - -“Larry Kirkland!” - -Larry whirled to see a small, lithe, brown boy leaping toward him on the -terrace, hands outstretched in greeting and a glad smile on his face. - -“Katty!” he exclaimed in surprise. “You here? Where did you come from?” - -He seized the hands of the Nipponese boy and shook them heartily. - -“I was just wishing I could see some one I knew,” said Larry. “But this -is beyond what I hoped for. How are you? Are you in college?” - -“I am in the college,” replied Katsura proudly. “My uncle is in -merchandising. When I left Shasta View I came to live with him. He sends -me to the college that some day I may return to Nippon and serve our -Emperor.” - -“How are you pitching now?” asked Larry joyously. - -“I have pitched but little since I left the ranch,” said Katsura. “Twice -during the summer I pitched for our boys. I am stronger, and I think -would be better with practice.” - -“Well, we must practice then,” said Larry enthusiastically. “We must -practice the old javelin throw. Can you still do it?” - -“Yes,” said Katsura proudly. “I have tried it often. It is natural, the -old motion of my fathers in throwing the spear, and it helps me add -speed. How is the Shasta View team?” - -“Fine,” cried Larry joyously. “We beat Pearton three times this summer, -and we had three teams down from Portland and won two of the games from -them.” - -“Who is pitcher now?” inquired Katsura a little jealous of his -successor. - -“Watson. You didn’t know him. He came after you left us. He is about my -age and he is faster than Benny Arnett was. But he never has learned to -pitch a slow curve the way you could.” - -“I have wanted to go back and pitch again.” - -“We’ll have to try for the team here. If we both make it what an honor -that will be for Shasta View! Are there any other boys here I know?” - -“Only Harry Baldwin, from Rogue River ranch,” replied Katsura gravely. -“To him I never speak. He has been here two years.” - -“I guess he won’t be glad to see me,” laughed Larry. “I haven’t seen him -for a year. His father and Uncle Jim hate each other more than ever. Do -you remember the time we beat Rogue River ranch team?” - -“Yes,” said Katsura, brightening at the recollection, then suddenly -growing serious again. “He has not forgotten it either. He never loses -an opportunity to attempt to insult or injure me. See, there he is now.” - -Larry’s eyes turned in the direction indicated and he saw Harry Baldwin, -son of Barney Baldwin, his guardian’s feudal foe. Harry was standing -talking to a group of flashily dressed, “sporty-looking” youths. -Presently the group moved slowly along the walk near which Larry -Kirkland and Katsura were standing. Harry Baldwin was talking, when his -eyes suddenly caught the gaze of Larry Kirkland. A sneer came to his -face and as he turned his eyes away, he said to his companions: - -“Not much material for the athletic teams this fall.” - -“I thought it looked good,” argued one of his companions. “I laid some -bets before leaving home that we would win everything.” - -“It doesn’t promise much,” responded Baldwin. “Fellow up from Los -Angeles who ought to be good in the sprints, and two from Fresno who -seem good baseball material, not much else.” - -“What has Baldwin to do with athletics, Katty?” asked Larry, who had -overheard the remarks. - -“He is the leader of the sporty crowd here,” replied Katsura. “He is a -great friend of the coach, and pretends to run things. He plays on the -baseball team and they say he will be captain in the spring.” - -“Whew!” whistled Larry in surprise and consternation. “Then I won’t have -much chance to make the team.” - -“How about this new fellow, Kirkland, from up near you, Harry?” asked -one of the flashily-dressed youths. “I heard he was a wonder, and that -he had a fine team on his ranch.” - -“He’s a fresh little pup,” responded Baldwin, raising his voice and -flashing a look toward Larry. “Awful case of swelled head. He thinks he -owns the earth, but he is not game. We played a game with them a couple -of years ago and they beat us by accident, then refused to play us -again. He thinks because he can play on a team his uncle owns he is -going to run everything, but he’ll find himself mistaken.” - -Larry turned red at the insult flung at him and took an impulsive step -forward. Katsura, who had overheard, laid a hand upon his arm. - -“Pretend we did not hear,” he said quietly. “He raised his voice to make -us hear, and he’ll be hurt if he thinks we didn’t.” - -“Well, I know how the land lays,” said Larry, recovering himself with an -effort. “That is a frank enough declaration of war. But I’m going to -make the team, whether he wants me to or not.” - - - - - CHAPTER II - _Larry Clashes With the Coach_ - - - Candidates for the Baseball Team - Report at the Athletic Field - at Three o’Clock To-day. - Bring Uniforms. - HAXTON, _Coach_. - -The announcement, plastered prominently upon the bulletin board in the -main hallway of the administration building, attracted a swarm of youths -who read in it the opportunity for winning fame upon the athletic field. - -The returning students had waited impatiently through four days of rain -and fog for the call for volunteers to defend the honor of the college -on the diamond. Since the opening of the term the chief topics of -conversation among the lower classmen had been as to the material from -which the team was to be made. Only five of the veterans of the -preceding spring were on hand, and the students demanded that a team be -organized that could regain the laurels lost in the annual game with -Golden University, the great rival school. - -Larry Kirkland stood before the bulletin board. He was struggling -between his desire to rush forward and announce himself a candidate and -what he conceived to be his duty to his studies. He was behind with his -classes, and carrying a heavy burden of conditions that were yet to be -worked off. He had determined not to make any of the athletic teams -until he was abreast the others in his studies. Three years of careless -and unsystematic studying at the ranch under a tutor and in a -fashionable but not thorough private school, had left him in arrears to -his books. The discovery, made soon after he entered college, that he -was behind other boys of his age, had aroused his pride, and during the -autumn and winter, he had worked hard, and made rapid progress. In spite -of this, however, there remained a burden of extra work to carry before -he could leave the Freshman class, and he was debating whether or not he -dared take the time for baseball. But spring was in the air; the -California spring with its fogs and chills, broken by fevers of sunshine -and summer. The trades were blowing, sweeping the hills clean to let the -brightness and sunshine develop the flowers and renew the greenness, -then bringing the fog and chill from the sea to lay a gray blanket over -all. - -But where winter and spring meet eternally, it is always spring in the -veins of the youth of the land. The baseball season was at hand, and the -delayed call was out. Larry was longing to get into his uniform, which -he had worn ever since Krag, the great Giant pitcher had presented it to -him, and flaunt Shasta View in the face of the college youths. The -thought that he would not be able to make the team never came to his -mind. He felt confident that he could win his way, and the only problem -was as to whether or not it would be the right thing to do. He was still -hesitating when Katsura came leaping down the steps of the hall. - -“Are you going to try for the team?” he inquired laughingly. “Of course -you are.” - -“No,” said Larry with sudden decision. “I’m afraid I won’t have the time -this spring. I’m behind in math, and have two conditions to work off, -and it will keep me grinding.” - -“I hoped you would try,” said Katsura admiringly. “Shasta View ought to -be represented.” - -“Why don’t you try, Katty?” asked Larry. “You ought to be able to make -it, with practice.” - -“I have serious duties,” replied the brown boy gravely. “Besides I would -fear to arouse the feeling against my race. It is strong here among some -of the students.” - -“Oh, I guess Haxton wouldn’t be that narrow, if you could pitch,” said -Larry. “He wants to win.” - -“I distrust Mr. Haxton,” said Katsura. “He always is with the sporty -crowd. Those who have money are his friends.” - -“That’s bad for the school,” replied Larry. “Let’s walk over and watch -the practice, anyhow.” - -The two boys found a vantage spot on the grass at the edge of the wide -playing field and, reclining at ease, watched the efforts of the youths -who were straining every muscle to prove their ability and right to play -for the honor of the school. Both Katsura and Larry felt keenly the -renunciation they had made, and each laughingly accused the other of -purposely dragging him into temptation. - -Boys of every height, of many ages, and many colors, creeds and races, -attired in makeshift uniforms, were working desperately to attract the -attention of the coach or his advisors. Some wore white shirts, with the -wreckage of old football or baseball trousers. Some wore trousers -abbreviated by the simple operation of cutting off at the knees. Many -wore socks, with great lengths of bare leg showing. Roommates possessing -one uniform had divided the treasure, one taking the trousers and one -the shirt. There were track suits, golf suits, white ducks, and one -youth drew a laugh by appearing in an undershirt and a wide pair of -Chinese trousers that flapped with every move. But all were in deadly -earnest. - -Haxton, the coach, strolled around among the perspiring, eager -candidates, stopping frequently to watch the movement of some one. -Occasionally he caused some youngster to thrill by inquiring his name -and jotting it upon a pad of paper. He smiled at the awkwardness of some -who possessed more zeal than skill. At times he talked with the veterans -of the preceding season, directing them to watch certain of the boys who -had shown symptoms of skill in catching or throwing. - -Larry, remembering his own trials in selecting the teams at Shasta View -ranch and at preparatory school, watched Haxton’s methods with keen -interest. He observed with a feeling of resentment that Harry Baldwin -walked with the coach offering advice, and sometimes pointing to some -youngster. - -“Baldwin seems to be his right-hand man,” remarked Larry. - -“They are friends,” said Katsura. “It is said that Baldwin goes with him -around the cities, and spends large sums of money.” - -“The sports seem to control athletics here.” - -“There was much complaint last year,” remarked Katsura gravely. “The -rich and the sporty ran the teams—and we were beaten. Many blamed -Haxton.” - -Haxton blew his whistle at that moment and ended further discussion. The -candidates gathered around the big coach, and he quickly divided them -into teams, pairing off pitchers and catchers, and telling them to work -easily. The fielders whose names he had taken were placed in double -lines for infield and outfield, and two of the veterans were set to -batting balls for them to field. - -The dozen or more pitchers and catchers had lined up near where Larry -and Katsura were sitting and the boys watched with considerable -amusement the efforts of some of the boys, and commenting upon the speed -and ability of others. They laughed as they talked of their own first -efforts. - -“We probably would have looked greener than these fellows,” said Larry. -“Yet we thought we were good.” - -“I remember,” Katsura replied, smiling, “that when you told me to bat, -my idea was to stand on the plate and face the ball.” - -“We learned rapidly, though,” laughed Larry. “Mr. Krag’s letters of -advice were worth a month of ordinary coaching.” - -“Do you ever hear from Mr. Krag now?” - -“No.” Larry’s face became troubled. “He never has written me since the -day the Giants released him. He wrote that his arm had snapped while he -was pitching and was useless. Then he stopped writing.” - -“I wish I could have known him,” said the little brown boy. “To think of -a famous pitcher taking an interest in us, way out here!” - -“I’m afraid he is in ill luck,” said Larry. “He never saved money—he -was too generous. The papers said he had little saved when the accident -ended his career. I wrote and offered to help him, but he never -replied.” - -“Trying to make it curve?” Larry broke off his recital quickly and -called to a tall, slender young fellow who was working hard, and who -caught as if playing patty cake, patty cake, baker’s man. - -“Yes, but somehow I can’t do it. I seem to have lost the knack. I’m sure -I made it curve a few days ago.” - -“Let me show you how,” Larry volunteered, springing to his feet and -running forward, unable longer to resist the impulse to play. “Come on -Katty. Catch a few minutes and we’ll show them how.” - -He took the ball and explained to the tall youth the proper manner of -gripping it for the different curves, and the method of releasing it -from the hand. - -“For the real curve—the fast breaking one that darts down and out—let -it go this way,” he said, hooking his arm in a wide swing, that ended -with a sudden snap of the wrist that sent the ball darting down and -outward into Katsura’s hands. - -“Now watch him,” he remarked, as Katsura lazily floated a slow twisting -curve back at him. - -“I can’t do much until my arm warms up,” said Larry. “Must start easy. I -was foolish to throw that curve first, but couldn’t resist the -temptation.” - -For five minutes he explained and demonstrated, showing the tall youth -little tricks and motions, until finally the slender boy sent a curve to -Katsura. - -Both Larry and Katsura were warmed, and as their muscles unlimbered they -entered into the spirit of the sport, and instead of retiring to their -seats on the grass, they continued throwing and catching with vast -enthusiasm, while the two candidates watched them with respectful -admiration and accepted their advice. - -“Oh you Katty,” cried Larry. “That curve certainly is better. You ought -not waste it. That slow curve twists more, I believe.” - -“I am stronger,” called Katsura, “and my hand grip is more powerful.” - -“Get out of here!” rasped a voice sharply behind them. - -The boys whirled quickly. Half the players overheard the sharp rebuke. - -“What are you doing here?” demanded Coach Haxton angrily. “Neither of -you reported as candidates.” - -“I—I—We”—Larry hesitated, confused and angry. “We didn’t intend to -try for the team. I was just trying to show this pitcher how to throw a -curve, and I got interested and forgot I was intruding.” - -“When I want any assistant coaches I’ll let you know,” snapped the coach -angrily. “Either come out and try for the team, or keep off the -grounds.” - -“Very well,” said Larry, flushed, angry and yet, knowing himself in the -wrong, unable to reply as he desired to do, “I will not trouble you -again.” - -“Hold on, don’t go off mad,” said the coach, relenting a little. “You -look as if you could play. If you’re in college why don’t you come out -and try?” - -“I have conditions to make up,” replied Larry, soothed by the change in -tone. “I’m sorry I intruded.” - -“You owe it to the school to play if you can,” retorted the coach. “We -need some fellows who know something. Where did you ever play?” - -“We played together on a team up in Oregon,” responded Larry. “Katsura -here was the pitcher”—— - -“Oh,” said the coach, his voice changing again as he looked at Larry -sneeringly, “I’ve heard of you. You’re that fresh young fellow Baldwin -was telling me about. We need players, but not yellow ones of your -kind.” - -He turned quickly, leaving Larry standing in helpless anger. - -“Come,” said Katsura. “You see how it is.” - -“It is a good thing we decided not to try for the team,” laughed Larry -mirthlessly. “Baldwin evidently expected we would.” - - - - - CHAPTER III - _Larry Seeks Revenge_ - - -Larry Kirkland, hot and rebellious from the rebuff inflicted upon him -and Katsura by Coach Haxton, made matters worse during the next few days -by discussing with several of his classmen the treatment accorded him. -The hurt rankled. He had been accustomed to attempting, at least, to -treat with fairness the boys who had played ball with him. He had tried, -after he had cooled from his first anger, to look upon the matter from -the viewpoint of the coach. He did not blame Haxton for ordering him -from the field. The point he made was that Haxton himself had been -inclined to pass over the infringement of rules, until he discovered who -Larry was. Then he had showered insult upon him and that without cause. - -Larry found that many of the undergraduates sympathized with him and -several who had been witnesses of the rebuke, came to him with their own -stories of Haxton’s injustice. Had he been willing to let the matter -drop there, perhaps all would have been well; but the sympathy of others -served to increase Larry’s bitterness. He enlarged unconsciously upon -his wrong, and held forth that it was no use for him to attempt to enter -athletics since the coach was under the influence of the wealthier -fellows. - -One afternoon Larry, with some of his Freshman sympathizers, was sitting -under a tree on the campus, talking over the downfall of the baseball -team, and the sporting department generally, when “Paw” Lattiser -stopped, gazed over his glasses at the boys and calmly seated himself -among them. - -Lattiser was one of the notable figures of the school, a Senior and -leader of the student body. He was a quiet, whimsical fellow, slow of -speech, continually sucking away at an old pipe and strolling around the -walks, studying as he walked and smoked. He was past thirty-five years -of age, and according to the campus version, he had toiled in the lumber -camps, worked as deck hand on a lumber schooner, and, when he finally -had saved enough to carry him through college, had taken up his -long-delayed education. He was two years getting out of Freshman class, -but after that, by steady work and grinding, he held with his class, and -had become one of the honor men. He was the advisor of the youngsters, -the counselor of the Seniors, and was held in high esteem by the -faculty. He looked over the top of his glasses at Larry, who suddenly -became confused and stopped talking. - -“Thought I heard you say something about the team, Kirkland,” said -Lattiser. “Go on; I’m interested.” - -“I was just saying,” replied Larry, somewhat taken aback by the manner -of the big, loose-jointed student, “that it is no use for me to try for -any team. Baldwin has told some yarn about me and has prejudiced them -against me.” - -“Imagination, plus enlarged ego,” commented Lattiser. “Baldwin says -something, you make a fool of yourself and add evidence to his charge. -You brood until you think everyone is against you. You kick because a -small faction is unjust and accuse everyone.” - -“Anyhow,” argued Larry, “he makes it impossible for me to get a chance. -Baldwin seems to run athletics, and I’m not foolish enough to give him a -chance to order me off the field.” - -“You have the interests of the school at heart, I suppose?” inquired -Lattiser quietly. “Or your own ambitions?” - -“I didn’t intend to try for the team at all,” protested Larry, hurt by -the insinuation. - -“If you did not want to play,” retorted Lattiser, in his quiet drawl, -“you wouldn’t care. If you had the interest of the school in mind, you -would overlook any slight placed upon you, for the sake of the college.” - -“I’m perfectly willing to sacrifice myself,” mumbled Larry, sulkily. -“All I want is a chance.” - -“You have a chance,” said Lattiser. “If you youngsters want to do -something for this school, there is a big chance. You organize a class -team, and develop players who can be ready to play for the college at -any time.” - -He arose, lighted his pipe, and smiled at their expressions. - -“If conditions are as you say,” he said easily, “they cannot last—and -you’ll be ready.” - -“Let’s do it,” suggested Katsura. “Let’s organize a Freshman team, that -will play good ball. In two years we can have our chance, anyhow.” - -“Two years?” ejaculated Larry. “Why not get up a team, practice hard, -and then challenge the Varsity and beat it?” - -“Yes, yes,” cried several of the boys. - -“No, that would be wrong,” remarked Katsura. “Even if we could, which I -doubt, we are for the school, and ought not to belittle the team that -represents it.” - -“I think Katty is right,” remarked Larry thoughtfully. “That was what -good old Paw was driving at.” - -“Anyhow, let’s see the captain of the Freshman team and ask him if he -wants us as recruits.” - -“Who’ll we play?” objected one youth. “What’s the use of wasting our -time practicing if we are not to have games.” - -“We can play the other class teams and get a reputation for ourselves,” -replied Larry. “Besides, it would be sport to take some of the pride out -of those Sophs, especially Baldwin.” - -“Remember what Mr. Lattiser said about forgetting yourself?” asked -Katsura mischievously. - -“By George, he’s right too,” responded Larry irritated. “I can’t seem to -forget myself. Come on, let’s find Arries.” - -The five boys found Arries, the Freshman captain sitting on a bench on -the campus, digging away at mathematics. - -“Hello,” he said, responding to their greetings. “Glad to meet you all. -I’ve seen you around.” - -“We came about the baseball team,” said Larry, after waiting for some of -the others to act as spokesman. “We wanted to offer our services. How is -the team?” - -“Well,” replied Arries gravely, as he laid down his book, “we have a -catcher, big Winans; and one of our infielders once stopped a ball. -There is a tradition that one of the outfielders once caught a fly. They -made me captain because I’m so near sighted I can’t see the ball until -the catcher holds it up close to my eyes.” - -The boys laughed at the captain’s fantastic description of his team. - -“We wondered if you could use us,” said Larry. “Katsura is a good -pitcher, good enough for the Varsity team. All of us have played more or -less ball, and we want to play if you need us.” - -“Need you?” exclaimed Arries, arising and shaking their hands. “Why we -need everything excepting a catcher. Winans is the only one on the team -who can catch the ferry. We played the Juniors and were lucky to escape -alive. They licked us 26 to 2, and it would have been worse if darkness -hadn’t interfered.” - -“When do we play the Sophs?” inquired Hagstrom. “We ought to be -practicing for that, oughtn’t we?” - -“I believe the game is in two weeks,” said Arries. “Haven’t paid much -attention to it since the late unpleasantness with the Juniors. Fact is, -no one else has. It discouraged us.” - -“But you are captain,” protested Larry. “Why don’t you call the team -together and we’ll practice.” - -“I intended to,” replied Arries carelessly. “Fact is, though, I got so -far behind in studies I forgot, and then I lost the list of players. You -fellows do as you please.” - -“Aren’t you going to practice?” inquired Larry half indignantly. - -“I? I should say not,” retorted the captain. “Too busy. Besides, we only -play for fun, and it’s hard work to practice. Too hot.” - -“If you will tell us who the catcher is we’ll find him,” suggested -Katsura. - -“He’s that big fellow from Bakersfield,” replied the captain rising. -“Takes everything in earnest. I’ll have to go to class now. Thank you -fellows for coming to my assistance.” - -“No wonder they get beaten,” laughed Larry, as Arries strolled away. -“Let’s hunt Winans. Katty and a catcher ought to beat all that kind of -team without help.” - -Winans, they found, was a large, slow-speaking, quick-moving youth. He -looked slow, and the ease with which he moved made him appear lazy. The -boys found him quite the opposite. - -“I’m glad some one in this class wants to play real ball,” he said when -they had stated their purpose. “Arries only asked the fellows he -happened to know to join the team, and most of them forgot about it. I -had to find a few to fill in the game we played, and that was a -nightmare. If you fellows want to hustle, I’m with you.” - -The following week was a busy one. Winans roomed in a house only a block -from the one in which Larry Kirkland had taken up his abode, and two -other Freshmen were in the same house. Instead of reporting for practice -at the athletic field, the Freshmen decided they could get better -results by taking simple practice in the big yard behind the boarding -house. Each evening they played until it was too dark to see the ball. -With Katsura pitching better and better, and three of the boys able to -play fairly well, Larry, who by common consent had been made the leader, -felt that for a class team, it would do well, especially as Winans -rapidly learned to work well with the diminutive pitcher. It was hard to -get nine Freshmen to practice, but usually Larry had six or seven each -evening, and as the day of the contest approached he felt confident that -his team would furnish a surprise for the Sophomores, who had three of -the regular Varsity team. Also interest among the Freshmen increased as -the date came near, and Winans sent a dozen volunteers, all of whom were -tried out and told to be on hand. - -The game was to be played on the athletic field, and after class -meetings to stir up enthusiasm, both classes marched down upon the -field, shouting defiance at each other, while the upper classmen -gathered in the stands and bleachers, watching them with condescending -smiles of amusement, and striving to stir the lower classmen up to the -point of starting the annual rush. - -Freshmen, however, were herded into the bleachers at one side of the -field, the Sophomores into the other, and the opportunity for a rush was -averted, or rather delayed. - -The two teams arrayed in strange assortments of uniforms, improvised or -borrowed for the occasion, practiced, and during the laughable practice -of the Sophomores, Katsura walked to where Larry Kirkland was examining -a bat. - -“Baldwin is trying to make trouble,” he said in low tones. “Look.” - -Larry looked in the direction indicated and saw Harry Baldwin in -conversation with several Seniors who had assumed police and other -duties. One of the Seniors, who had been chosen to umpire, nodded and -walked toward the Freshman bench. - -“Here, Fresh,” he called, beckoning to Larry. “And you,” he added, -addressing Katsura, “what are you doing on this team?” - -“We are members of the Freshman class,” they responded quickly. - -“You two can’t play,” decided the Senior brusquely. “We can’t allow -ringers in these games. Here,” he added, calling the Freshman captain, -“you Arries, get these two ringers out and send in two others.” - -“Who says we are ringers?” demanded Larry, advancing angrily upon the -Senior. “We have as much right to play as any one.” - -“I say so,” replied the Senior calmly. “You play too well. I’ve heard -about you, and your professional training. Now scoot.” - -Speechless with rage and mortification Larry advanced more -threateningly. But Katsura quietly grasped his arm. - -“It’s a lie,” he spluttered. “But if Baldwin runs this school I suppose -I’ll have to stay out.” - -“No more back talk, Freshie,” remarked the Senior. “Don’t speak that way -to your superiors. Call me Sir.” - -“Don’t let it fuss you, Kirkland,” said Arries mildly. “It isn’t -important. It is all for fun.” - -Larry, raging inwardly, turned and walked with Katsura from the field, -while the Sophomores jeered. He was hot with the injustice of it and -burning for revenge. He took his seat with the Freshmen and strove to -watch the slaughter of the Freshmen, but before long he slipped from the -crowd, and hurried away, refusing to be comforted even by the calm -philosophy of Katsura, who followed. - - - - - CHAPTER IV - _An Old Friend is Found_ - - -The train bearing Larry Kirkland back to Shasta View ranch for the long -summer vacation carried a heavy-hearted, discouraged youth, for whom -even the pleasure of home-coming was dimmed. His college year had been a -series of disappointments and rebuffs. He had gone to Cascade College -filled with high hopes and dreams of winning a place among the men of -the institution. The year had been one of rebukes, and loneliness, -except for the friendship of a few. He, who had always been a leader and -popular, found himself looked upon with suspicion, and rated as -undesirable by many. His attempts, which were few, to add to his circle -of friends, had been met with coldness. Every effort had been a failure, -and some of them, he realized, had been serious mistakes, chiefly -because they were misunderstood. - -For all his woes he blamed Harry Baldwin who had exerted his influence -against his boyhood rival in every direction. Larry realized that he had -been beaten by Baldwin, and felt, bitterly, that he could not fight his -neighbor with the same weapon. Instead of choosing his own circle of -friends, ignoring Baldwin and living in a different set and circle, -Larry, rebuffed, had withdrawn more and more, to himself, and avoided -introductions, even to those who were with him in classes. Katsura, the -diminutive Japanese boy, had remained his staunch and loyal supporter, -and at times, a valuable advisor who had prevented him from making even -more serious mistakes in his dealings with the other boys. He had -Winans, the hearty, good-natured youth who had caught for the Freshman -team, and Lattiser occasionally favored him by stopping to talk with him -on the campus, always with a quiet word of advice. Larry did not -understand, until during the final month of the spring term, that his -friendship for Katsura was an additional cause for his unpopularity, or -that, among a certain element of the student body, there existed a -hatred for the Japanese. That discovery aroused his resentment. - -It was with relief that he finished his examinations and caught the -train for Shasta View. The train was panting out of the wide valley into -a narrow gorge in the mountains and commencing its twisting, tortuous -climb over the Cascades when he awoke. His first glimpse of Mount -Shasta, towering high overhead, revived his spirits, which rose with the -altitude as the train labored upward through the twisting canon, past -the gushing, geyser like springs of Shasta, over the Black summit, and -went racing downward through the fir forests into the valley garden of -the Rogue River. - -He was standing in the vestibule, grip in hand, when the train stopped -at Pearton, and, almost before the porter could throw open the doors he -sprang to the platform. The depot wagon from the ranch was waiting and, -recognizing the wagon and ponies, Larry ran toward it, expecting to see -Major Lawrence. He saw the driver jump down, and glance along the long -line of cars. There was something familiar to him in the slope of the -huge shoulders and the easy grace of movement. Before Larry could recall -where he had seen that form, the driver turned toward him. Larry dropped -his suitcase and sprang forward. - -“You—you, Mr. Krag? Where did you come from?” he cried. - -Krag, the former pitcher of the Giants, one of the great players of -baseball history, stretched out his huge hands and seized Larry. - -“Hello, Jimmy boy,” he bellowed cheerfully. “I never would have known -you. I was watching for a kid the size of the one I put on the train at -Portland—and I find a man. Gee, boy, how you’ve grown!” - -“I’d have known you anywhere,” exclaimed Larry eagerly shaking hands. -“Tell me, how did you come to be waiting for me? Where did you drop -from? I haven’t heard a word from you for more than a year—and find you -here.” - -“I’m working for Major Lawrence,” Krag responded. “I asked him to let me -come down to meet you. I wanted to give you a surprise. You don’t know -how lucky you are to have him your friend, boy,” he added seriously. -“He’s the squarest, best fellow in the world.” - -“I know that,” replied Larry, growing serious, “but how did you come to -be here, and when did you come?” - -“Nearly two months ago,” Krag said laughing. “I’m getting to be an old -residenter on the ranch. You’d better behave yourself during vacation. -I’m general overseer, and if you don’t behave, I’ll take you in hand.” - -“Where did Uncle Jim find you?” asked Larry, still puzzled. “He never -mentioned you in his letters.” - -“I suppose he wanted to surprise you when you came home,” replied Krag. -“He always thinks of things that might please some one.” - -“Where have you been?” demanded Larry. “I wrote as soon as I heard the -Giants had let you go. The manager wrote that you had dropped out -without telling any of the fellows your plans, and had gone West. I -wrote twice more, and asked to have the letters forwarded, but never -heard from you, excepting one paper said you were coaching a team. I -wrote there, and it was not true.” - -“I know,” said Krag earnestly. “I received one letter, and I was proud -to know you still thought of me. Most of the others forgot me as soon as -my arm went back on me. I’m beginning to think now that the luckiest day -in my life was the one on which I found a lonely little boy on a -railroad train and amused myself entertaining him.” - -“I never can forget your kindness,” said Larry, “but how did you happen -to quit the Giants?” - -“It was my own fault,” said the big pitcher quietly. “Jump into the -wagon, I’ll toss the trunk up behind and tell you while we are driving -out to the ranch.” - -A few moments later the wagon was rattling rapidly through the main -street of Pearton, and Krag did not speak until he pulled the ponies to -a more sedate gait ascending the hill. - -“I was drawing a big salary,” he said, “one of the best; $8,000 a season -and a lot besides, easy money, forced upon me by admirers. I thought it -would last forever. I never had known anything about business. Jumping -from nothing a year to $8,000 spoiled me. Money ran away from me, and I -never saved anything. I seldom had a month’s pay saved up and usually -had to draw advance money before the winter was over, to tide me -through. I drew big pay for eight seasons, and made a good fellow of -myself. - -“My arm felt as good as ever, and I was pitching just as well, so I -never worried about it, or tried to save. It seemed good for a dozen -more years. I was pitching against a weak club, working easily and -winning, I wasn’t even trying hard, but suddenly, as I tossed up a slow -twister, a ligament in the arm snapped. They nursed me along the rest of -the season, hoping the arm would come back. I knew it wouldn’t. It was -done, and I couldn’t even go to the minors. - -“The Giants offered me a contract the next spring. There wasn’t a chance -for me to pitch and I couldn’t go take money under false pretenses. I -might have had a job as first baseman on account of my batting.” - -He waited for Larry to laugh, but Larry was so sympathetic, he had -forgotten that Krag was joking at his own expense on account of his weak -hitting. - -“I was done as a ball player—with the best part of my life gone and -only a few hundred dollars. That’s the trouble with this baseball -business. A young fellow makes good money at first, but after six or -eight or ten years, he is through, and the years he might have used in -getting a good start in some trade or profession are gone. I looked -around for a job. The fellows who had been my closest associates -commenced dodging for fear I’d ask them for something, so I decided to -come West and go to work. I landed in Portland, almost broke and got a -job working on the docks. I didn’t want any of my old friends to find -me, but one did. He was a reporter. He wrote that I was in Portland and -might locate there if I found the proper opening. Major Lawrence saw the -note, wrote, offered me a job, and here I am.” - -“That’s like him,” said Larry tenderly. “He never forgets. The day I -came, I told him of your kindness to me, and he said he would like to -meet you. He probably has been watching for mention of you ever since.” - -“He certainly is good,” said Krag feelingly. “He must have sized me up -as too strong or too lazy to do real work, and put me in charge of the -packing houses. Then, when Arnett, his general overseer, quit a month -ago, the Major gave me his position—in spite of the fact that I’m just -starting to learn the ranch business.” - -“Gee, that’s great!” exclaimed Larry enthusiastically. “You must live at -the bungalow?” - -“Yes, the Major insisted that I take a room there. He said he was so -lonely with you gone that he couldn’t find any one even to have a -satisfactory quarrel with. He gets mad at me because I won’t get mad at -him, and we have some magnificent quarrels.” - -“He likes to have any one contradict him, so that he can pretend to get -mad,” laughed Larry. “The only thing that makes him really angry is for -someone to agree with him all the time. He’s the grandest, finest man in -the world, and I never can repay him for his kindness to me.” - -“Nor I,” said Krag seriously. “He saved me from becoming a -day-laborer—or worse—and I thank you for your part in it.” - -“My part? I hadn’t any part. Besides I think Uncle Jim guessed pretty -shrewdly that you’d make the best kind of a man to run the ranch for -him. All I’m afraid of is that you’ll be too busy to teach me any -baseball.” - -“By the way,” said Krag quickly. “I’ve been so busy gossiping about -myself, I forgot to ask if you made the team?” - -The wagon, rolling along at a rapid gait, was nearing the crest of the -last billow of ground, and ahead, over the tops of the orchards, they -could see the gables of Shasta View. Towering high in the background -rose the mountains, and at that moment the fog wreath was wind-torn from -the brow of Shasta, revealing the cone in its steely whiteness. - -“It seems home now,” said Larry, pointing away across the valley. “I -never shall forget how it seemed the first morning I came, walking, -homesick, scared and tired, carrying the uniform you gave me and -wondering what kind of a reception I would get.” - -“Stick to the subject,” said Krag quickly, observing that Larry was -striving to turn the conversation into other channels. “Did you make the -team?” - -“I didn’t play any baseball,” said Larry reluctantly, “I didn’t even try -for the team.” - -“Why?” asked Krag in quick surprise. - -“Please don’t ask now,” said Larry quietly. “I’ll tell you later. It is -not pleasant, and just now I want to forget it.” - -They were descending the last hill rapidly, and in a few minutes Krag -touched the ponies with the whip and they whirled into the long avenue -with a fine burst of speed. Before the ponies stopped at the front of -the bungalow, Larry Kirkland had leaped from the wagon, sprang up the -steps and threw both arms around Major Lawrence. The Major, puffing, -scolding, growling, while tears of joy dimmed his eyes, patted his hand, -and to hide his emotion, scolded Krag for loitering, declaring it had -taken him an hour to drive from Pearton to the ranch. - - - - - CHAPTER V - _Krag Reads Larry a Lesson_ - - -Major Lawrence arose from his seat by the fire, stretching himself, -scolded. - -“Pair of young wastrels,” he declared accusingly. “Wasting my time, -making me sit here and listen to your yarns. You ought to be made to -work overtime for it. Here the ranch accounts are a week behind; and -Krag loafing and telling yarns, leaving it for an old man like me to -do.” - -“Sit down, Major,” said Krag easily. “I’ll finish them up after you and -Larry go to bed.” - -“You shan’t do it,” stormed the Major. “Sit up all night, then be too -sleepy to get up and do your work. I’ll do them myself.” - -He stormed away to his private office, sniffing angrily, and Larry -Kirkland and Bill Krag laughed. - -“He’d never be happy unless he scolded someone,” said Krag. “I think he -is half mad because I didn’t do the accounts, so he could quarrel with -me over them.” - -“I had a notion to tell him he was too old to be working late,” laughed -Larry. “He always calls himself old and gets mad when any one else does -it.” - -They were sitting before the big open fire in the living room, for the -day had closed with a misty rain. Larry was expanding under the home -influence and the Major’s kindness and love, thinly concealed under his -pretense of anger. Chun, the Chinese youth who had succeeded to the -entire charge of the household, had served a late supper at the -fireside, and Krag had told stories. His tales of exciting games on many -major league ball fields, of the old friends and foes, of desperate -struggles, of narrow escapes and hard-luck defeats. The big pitcher -suddenly broke off in his recital of events and lapsed into a thoughtful -silence, while Larry took up the story of his own exploits on the Shasta -View team and in the preparatory school. Major Lawrence occasionally -chuckled over some tale of boyish outbreaks, but Krag maintained a -silence, punctuated by the sucking of his pipe. - -After Major Lawrence’s choleric exit from the scene, Krag smoked -silently for some time. Then he roused himself suddenly and asked: - -“Larry, why didn’t you play ball at Cascade?” - -“I—I—well, the truth is they didn’t want me.” - -He launched into a long explanation of his trials and troubles at -Cascade College, of his feud with Harry Baldwin and of Baldwin’s -influence over the coach and those in charge of the athletic teams at -Cascade. As he talked the recollection of his wrongs stirred him to -eloquence, and more and more he forgot Krag and voiced his inner -injuries. - -“So you quit—quit cold, showed the yellow?” inquired Krag quietly, as -he removed his pipe from between his teeth and sat forward waiting for a -reply. - -Larry’s mouth opened as in surprise. He started to make a reply, broke -off shortly and sat staring thoughtfully into the fire. Krag, smoking -glanced toward him from the corner of his eye. He saw the boy hurt, and -angry, and puffed away in silence waiting for the youth to speak, to -defend himself or give some explanation. - -“I’ve been afraid of it for a month,” said Krag quietly. “When I picked -up the papers in town and did not see your name in the lists, I thought -you had the sulks and were not trying for the team. I believed if you -tried you could have made it.” - -“What could a fellow do, under the circumstances?” asked Larry sulkily. -“I couldn’t beg them to let me play.” - -“I said to myself,” Krag continued, unheeding the remark, “I said, ‘he -has the swelled head.’ I hoped it wasn’t true.” - -“It wasn’t true,” said Larry flashing into anger. “You know I’m not that -kind. I wasn’t trying to run the team, or anything of that sort.” - -“No,” replied Krag, still unmoved. “You didn’t ask them to make you -captain, you just walked out and condescended to show them a few things -about the game. You didn’t put on a uniform and get out and work; you -loafed around waiting for them to beg you to help out the team.” - -“It isn’t true. You know it isn’t true,” stormed Larry, although he -stirred uncomfortably, realizing that Krag was hitting nearer the truth -than was comfortable. - -“I know you don’t think it is true, Larry,” said the big pitcher kindly. -“You don’t know. I believe you dislike that kind of a fellow almost as -much as I do—and I’ve been with them for years. I ought to know the -symptoms. I hoped you’d escape it, that’s what made me so anxious to see -your name in the paper.” Larry maintained a sulky, aggrieved silence. - -“The trouble with you, Larry,” said Krag after a long pause, during -which he lighted his pipe afresh, “is plain, untrimmed, swelled head.” - -“Yes it is,” he said sharply when Larry started to expostulate—“plain, -unvarnished, swelled head. I’ve seen too many kids ruined by that -disease not to know it—and too many to permit me to keep quiet and let -you go wrong from it. - -“You went to college thinking you were the big recruit to the baseball -ranks. It was natural. You had been the whole thing here on the ranch, -boss of everything and used to being obeyed. You were the best player in -that little prep school, and bossed the whole works and showed them how -the game should be played. Then when you went down to Cascade your -feelings were hurt because you weren’t asked to run the team.” - -Larry maintained an angry, sullen silence. He was boiling with -resentment, outraged, scandalized and shocked at the brutal accusations -hurled at him and heaped upon him by the man he had made an idol for -years. - -“You did feel a little hurt because no one paid much attention to you, -didn’t you?” - -No answer. - -“You did want to play? You would have played in spite of studies, if -they had shown the proper respect for your ability, wouldn’t you?” - -No reply. - -“You didn’t organize that Freshman team out of love for the Freshman -team, but with an idea of beating a fellow you didn’t like. Isn’t that -true?” - -No response, except that Larry shoved his hands more deeply into his -pockets and slid lower into his chair. - -Krag smoked in silence for a time. Then he arose, knocked the dottle -from his pipe, stretched himself and coming nearer, dropped a big hand -onto the boy’s shoulder. - -“If I didn’t like you so much I wouldn’t tell you these things, Larry,” -he said quietly. “I wouldn’t know just how you felt, if I hadn’t felt -that way myself when I started playing baseball. I don’t want you to -make the mistakes I made, or suffer from them the way I did. You know -that, don’t you?” - -A long silence. - -“If—if—if what you say is true,” said Larry hesitatingly, “what ought -I do?” - -“It is true, isn’t it?” - -“There’s a lot of truth in it.” - -“Then all you’ve got to do,” said Krag cheerily, “is to treat yourself -the way you’d treat one of your players—Benny, the fellow you had the -trouble with, for instance. Just go out there, work, and keep your mouth -shut. Obey orders, and let others decide whether they are right or -wrong.” - -“But if Baldwin, and the coach?” Larry hesitated. - -“Rot,” said Krag. “Larry—if you’re right, no wrong person can make you -wrong. In a college it is the students that decide who is wrong and who -is right, just as in a government it is the people. The bosses can run -either a ball team or a government for a time—but not with the public -watching them—and they watch baseball closer than they do governments -in this country.” - - - - - CHAPTER VI - _A Friend in the Foe’s Camp_ - - -Larry Kirkland, filled with new resolutions and abounding with life and -spirits after a vacation of work and play, was returning to college -determined to recover his lost standing and to win his way. - -He and “Gatling” Krag were waiting for the Shasta Flyer to roll down -from the North and bear him over the mountains to Cascade College. They -had talked of the summer, of the ball games at the ranch, the annual -camping trip to Crater Lake Park, and of the hopes and plans for Larry’s -success at college. - -“Don’t come back without your C, Larry, boy,” said the big ex-pitcher. -“Remember, it is more the victory over yourself that counts than the -mere making of the team.” - -“I’m going to try Bill,” said the boy. “I want to thank you for showing -me my mistakes. I guess I was a pretty swelled-headed kid.” - -“Was?” asked Krag, laughingly. “It’s all right if it is in the past -tense. A fellow has a right to think well of himself if he does not let -it blind him.” - -At that moment an automobile dashed up to the station platform in a -cloud of dust, and turning, they recognized the car as the new one from -the Rogue River ranch. They had seen Harry Baldwin driving it at a -reckless rate of speed over the roads at intervals during the summer, -but Harry Baldwin was not among those who alighted. Two servants were -busy removing luggage and checking it, while a slender, graceful girl, -pouting and evidently in a bad humor, was standing by the machine, -petulently replacing the wind-blown locks of fair hair that had escaped -from beneath her motoring cap. The girl was obviously annoyed, and she -tapped her foot impatiently upon the platform and gazed up and down as -if expecting someone. Larry Kirkland gazed at her in frank admiration. -He recognized in her the fair-haired, pretty child who had accompanied -Barney Baldwin to Shasta View ranch three years before, to witness the -game between the teams of Shasta View and Rogue River ranches. Larry -recalled with a sense of hurt that she had applauded the Rogues. - -“Chance to start a flirtation on the train, Larry,” said Krag teasingly. -“I guess our pretty little friend is going on the train with you. She -seems in distress. Why don’t you rush to the rescue and make yourself -solid with the fair maiden?” - -“Oh, shut up,” said Larry, reddening under the teasing. “I guess I -wouldn’t be very welcome as a champion. She is related to the Baldwins, -cousin or something of Harry’s, and she probably would snub me.” - -“I’ve noticed,” laughed Krag, “that the female of the species is less -hateful than the male in these family feuds. Maybe she could influence -Harry to let you alone.” - -A few moments later the Flyer roared down the valley and Krag gripped -the hand of his young friend. - -“Good-bye, Larry,” he said. “Don’t quit. Fight it out—you’ll win.” - -“Thanks,” said Larry, “I’ll win—if only over myself. Good-bye.” - -In spite of his plan, not to pay any attention to the pretty girl, he -scarcely had placed his grip in his berth when the opportunity to meet -her was forced upon him. She was struggling with several pieces of -baggage, and the overloaded porter was helpless. The girl seemed ready -to weep from annoyance, as she strove to pass down the aisle to her -section. - -“May I assist?” asked Larry, quickly observing her plight. - -“Oh, thank you!” she exclaimed gratefully, as he seized upon her hand -baggage and carried it for her. He arranged the baggage, saw her seated, -and lifted his cap. - -“Thank you, again,” she said, smiling. “It was so annoying. Cousin Harry -promised to go with me on this train, and he went away with some friends -and failed to appear. I was left to make the trip alone.” - -“He is not appreciative of his opportunities,” said Harry, struggling -with his first compliment. - -“Oh,” she laughed, “Harry still regards me as a child. He never -appreciated me—or anyone else, excepting himself.” - -“Are you going far?” inquired Larry, after an embarrassing pause. - -“To St. Gertrude’s. It is a girl’s school near Cascade. I am to go there -because Harry is in Cascade and he is supposed to watch over and protect -me.” - -“Won’t that be fine?” ejaculated Larry enthusiastically. “I’m in -Cascade—perhaps we may see each other occasionally.” - -“You a Cascade man?” she asked. “Harry never mentioned any of the -Pearton boys”—— - -“I beg pardon,” said Larry flushing quickly. “I forgot to tell you who I -am—— Your cousin and I are—well, we are not friends. I am Larry -Kirkland.” - -“Larry Kirkland?” she said. “I never heard the name”—— - -“I’m Major Lawrence’s ward”—— - -“Oh!” the girl exclaimed. - -The tone was a commingling of surprise, consternation and half -disappointment. - -Larry reddened, and an embarrassing pause ensued. - -“I see you have heard of me,” he remarked lamely. “I saw you several -years ago.” - -“Yes-s,” the girl said hesitatingly. “I have heard Harry speak of you. I -remember seeing you—at a baseball game, but you have grown so I did not -recognize you.” - -“Your cousin and I have not been—well, friends,” he remarked. “So I -suppose you have not heard much good concerning me.” - -“Oh, as for that,” she said smiling, “Harry and I are not friends -either. He is a bear and he treats me as if I were still a child.” - -“I do not see why we should be enemies, just because our families are,” -remarked Larry, feeling as if he had turned traitor to Major Lawrence -when he said it. “It is not our quarrel.” - -“No,” she said doubtfully. “You do not seem a bit as Harry said you -were. I expect he just told those horrid stories about you because he -does not like you.” - -“I’m sorry he chooses me as an enemy,” said Larry, remembering Krag’s -advice and striving not to permit his temper to be ruffled. - -“Harry says he will not let you play on the teams at Cascade,” she -replied quickly. “He says the fellows do not like you and will not play -if you do.” - -“I wasn’t very popular last year,” said Larry, laughing to conceal his -embarrassment. “You see I didn’t know them and thought they did not -treat me well. I hope it will be better this year.” - -In a few moments their embarrassment passed, and the boy and girl -chattered away merrily. Larry told of his boy life back in the East, of -the death of his parents and Major Lawrence’s kindness in taking him as -his own son; of his trip West, and of his meeting with the Giants and -Krag the pitcher. Helen Baldwin was sympathetic. - -“I can understand,” she said. “My father and mother are poor and we are -a large family, so it was hard for papa to give us all he would have -liked to. Uncle Barney offered to take me and educate me, so I am much -in the same situation that you are—only when Uncle Barney goes East, he -takes me, and I visit with my parents, and next summer he is going to -bring Bertha, my younger sister, to the ranch as company for me, as -Harry and Bob and I do not play well together.” - -By bedtime they were fast friends. The feud of the Lawrence and Baldwin -families seemed buried so far as they were concerned. And the following -morning, when they arrived, Larry Kirkland carried the girl’s baggage to -the wagonette that was to take her to St. Gertrude’s and promised that -he would call on Thursdays when the girls were allowed visitors. - -As the wagonette turned up the avenue he seized his own neglected -baggage and springing into a carriage, started for Cascade campus, -filled with a new determination to win his C. - - - - - CHAPTER VII - _A Lesson in Obedience_ - - -Cascade College baseball team was out for the fall practice. Only a few -recruits, fellows who had been barred by their studies or by conditions -during the regular season, were out with the veterans who, proudly -wearing their C’s were tossing balls around the long vacant field. The -team had been a failure in its important games, and Coach Haxton, -chafing under criticism of the upper classmen and the dearth of interest -throughout the college, had decreed that the team must work during the -fall until the football men occupied the stage, and he had threatened -angrily to replace several of the veterans of the team with youngsters. -Yet there had not been a call for recruits to strengthen the team. - -It was not customary at Cascade to call baseball volunteers in the fall -term, but to issue calls late in the winter term and at the opening of -the spring. The games played in the fall were not of importance from a -college standpoint. The “big” games against Golden University and St. -Mary’s—those that counted in the standing of the rival schools—were -playing in the spring. But during the fall and early winter—when the -genial climate permitted playing, games were scheduled against the -strong teams of the nearby cities, games which tested the ability of the -players even more than did those of the championship season; as their -opponents usually were the best of the independent amateurs. - -It was onto this scene of half-hearted activity that Larry Kirkland came -on the crisp, perfect afternoon, followed by Katsura, Winans and Big -Trumbull, the heavy-hitting giant who had sided with Larry during his -troubles of the preceding spring. The arrival of the quartette on the -playing field created something of a sensation among the veterans, who -stopped their listless practice and watched them wonderingly. Those -close together exchanged puzzled questions as to the meaning of the -sudden descent of the leaders of the opposition of the preceding term. -Behind the quartette sauntered “Paw” Lattiser, an open book in one hand, -a straw hat absent-mindedly held in his mouth. He was bareheaded as -usual, and appeared to pay no attention either to the new recruits or to -the regulars, who were practicing. - -Coach Haxton was standing talking with some of the pitchers and -catchers, instructing them as to the way he wanted signals given. He -turned quickly as the quartette approached. - -“Well?” he asked belligerently, “I suppose you fellows want us to stop -practice and let you use the field?” - -“No,” said Larry, acting as spokesman. “We came down to offer ourselves -for the team, if you need us or can use us.” - -Haxton was taken aback by the conciliatory tone of the youth he had -considered the ring-leader of the opposition. - -“Oh, you’d like to get on the team, eh?” he said harshly. “I suppose -you’d like to be captain—or perhaps to coach it?” - -A wave of angry resentment at the tone and the words arose within Larry -and he struggled to control his growing anger. - -“No, sir,” he said. “I’ll try to make the team, if I’m good enough. You -see, we did not come out to report last year and you ordered us off the -field because we didn’t. Now we report and are ready to try with the -others for positions.” - -Harry Baldwin, who had been tossing a ball around, came near enough to -overhear the conversation. Haxton hesitated. - -“Well,” he said, “if you fellows want to take your chances and will -obey”—— - -“We do,” replied Winans; “maybe we weren’t in the right last term. We -figure that we owe it to the college to do all we can to help”—— - -“I guess the college can run without your help,” said Baldwin. “You -didn’t appear very anxious to help it last spring.” - -“We have just admitted that we believe we were wrong, Baldwin,” said -Larry. “It seems to me we are offering whatever we have—and Mr. Haxton -is judge of what is best for the team and the school.” - -“You seem to think you can win a place on this team as easily as you can -one with those niggers and Japs at the ranch,” sneered Baldwin. “You’ll -find the decent fellows here will not stand for it—or for you.” - -“Hold on, Baldwin, hold on,” remarked Paw Lattiser mildly. “Seems to me, -from what I’ve heard, someone else is trying to run things.” - -“What have you to do with this, Lattiser?” snapped Haxton, who resented -the patronizing calmness of the veteran. “I’m running this team.” - -“Well,” replied Lattiser quaintly, “I admit that—although from the last -two years’ showing you have little enough to boast about. The point is -this: I gave these youngsters some advice last fall; told them they were -here to work for the honor of the school and not for their own -reputations. I overheard them planning to come and offer their services, -so I thought I’d stroll down and see if they were right when they -claimed, last year, that they were not wanted.” - -“We want players who can play—and are willing to do right,” said -Haxton. “We’ve had enough swelled-headed players who think they can run -the team.” - -“You’re the judge of their ability,” remarked Lattiser. “But it seems to -me you’re judging the ability of these four youngsters in rather an -off-hand manner, since you’ve never even seen them play. There is a -feeling among the students now that the teams are not being chosen with -a view to the best results—and if this idea spreads it will not help -Cascade as an athletic school—or any other way.” - -“Any student is at liberty to try for the team,” assented Haxton -sulkily. - -“You’re not going to let them”—— Baldwin stopped in the midst of his -angry question. He, as well as Haxton, recognized the power of Paw -Lattiser over the students, and he checked himself through fear of -arousing the placid veteran to action. - -“They are at liberty to TRY,” responded Haxton, emphatically. “Come on, -you fellows, get to work. We’ve been wasting a lot of time arguing over -nothing. You new men get out there in the outfield and chase flies. -We’ll soon discover whether or not you can play ball.” - -Lattiser stood with a twisted grin on his face. Larry, who had flushed -with a rebellious start at the order to chase flies saw the veteran -watching him, smiled his thanks and turning raced to catch Katsura, who -already was sprinting for the outfield. Lattiser stood for an instant, -then strolled away, opening his neglected book. - -“The Cascade team is looking up,” he remarked whimsically to himself. “I -thought that youngster was going to refuse to go. He is all right—he -and that little brown boy.” - -“We’re in just as bad a fix as ever, Katty,” remarked Larry as they -trotted back, perspiring after pursuing a long hit to the center field -fence. “Haxton will not give us a fair chance—but we must keep at it, -and keep trying.” - -“One of our philosophers says,” replied the little Nipponese, “that he -who is in power never is in power long who rules unfairly.” - -“Gee,” laughed Larry, “maybe our philosophers say the same thing; but it -is hard for me to swallow.” - -That evening he wrote a long letter to Krag, detailing the events of the -day. He awaited anxiously for four days for the answer, wondering how -the big ex-pitcher would look upon his moves and his submission to what -he considered unjust treatment. - -“You’ve scored in the first inning,” read Krag’s letter. “Just keep -plugging away and they can’t keep you down. Don’t criticise any of the -other fellows, or offer advice unless it is asked. You are lucky to have -three fellows with you. Work with them and let Haxton go his own gait. -The guy who isn’t square as a boss soon cooks his own goose.” - -“You see,” remarked Katsura laughing as Larry read to him what Krag had -written, “you have your philosophers. Mr. Krag says the same thing—in a -different way.” - - - - - CHAPTER VIII - _A Victory Over Self_ - - -The fall and winter brought little change in the situation, and when the -holiday time came, Larry Kirkland found himself barred as completely -from the Cascade team as he had been during his Freshman rebellion. - -Day after day during the fall, while the team was playing and in -training, he reported at the field, toiled at chasing the balls batted -to outfielders by the regulars, and during the breathing spells worked -with Katsura, Trumbull and Winans. At the first he secretly hoped that -coach Haxton would see the injustice of the stand he had taken and -permit them to participate in the practice, at least sufficiently to -ascertain whether or not they were good enough to play the game. But -after the first day, Haxton paid little or no attention to them, save to -issue brief orders for them to go to the outfield and catch flies. If -one of them dared advance to the infield and occupy a place temporarily -vacant, he was sent back with a sharp rebuff. In the hours outside of -practice, the ostracised quartette gathered on the lot near their -“barracks” and indulged in real practice. - -After three weeks of that kind of treatment, Larry found himself in a -mood to rebel openly, to tell Haxton and Baldwin what he thought of them -and to quit. Only the weekly letter from Krag, praising him for his -pluck in sticking to it under trying circumstances, kept him from the -move that would have been fatal. He managed to maintain a cheerful -demeanor while practicing with the regulars, but occasionally, while -with his own chums, he broke out in protests. - -“Confound it, fellows,” he remarked one evening, as they rested after an -hour of catching and fielding practice on their improvised field, “I -don’t want them to think I’m a quitter, or that they can run over us -this way. It is getting on Haxton’s nerves to have us come out and -pretend that we like being errand boys. He knows we see the weaknesses -of his team, and he knows that he is making a big mistake in treating us -this way.” - -“One of our philosophers says,” remarked Katsura, “that the more evil -one does to a foe, the more one hates him.” - -“But that isn’t the worst of it,” continued Larry, “I have a guilty -feeling all the time that I am doing Cascade a lot of harm myself; that -I ought to quit.” - -“How do you figure that out?” inquired Winans. - -“Haxton and Baldwin do not dislike any of you. They hate me and I have -dragged all of you into it because you are my friends. If I’d quit going -to the field, he’d soon give you fellows a chance”—— - -“It’s the principle of the thing, Larry,” said Trumbull. “Now, as for -myself, I don’t care a bit whether I play on the team or not. In fact, -I’d rather just be lazy and loaf around than get out there and hustle -for a place on the team. But I can’t do it. I want to see Cascade get -the right system in athletics. If we stick together we’ll soon have the -sentiment of the better bunch of fellows with us and with the sentiment -of the students behind us”—— - -“That is the big danger,” interrupted Winans. “If we win by taking -control ourselves, we antagonize all the other crowd. There are some -decent fellows with them; because they do not understand what the -situation is, and they have their friends. Even if the secret societies -did get them onto the team, they’re good players. It will not do -athletics any good if we merely drive out one faction and put another in -control.” - -At that juncture Paw Lattiser came around the building, stopped, gazed -at them solemnly over the rims of his heavy glasses and remarked: - -“Hello, youngsters, plotting again?” - -“We were just talking over the athletic situation,” replied Winans, -“especially the baseball team.” - -“I thought it was about time for me to look up you kids,” said the -veteran, seating himself. “I haven’t had time to watch you. What is it, -more trouble?” - -“Same old trouble,” replied Trumbull ruefully. “We’re all trying for the -team, and all we get to do is to chase flies in the outfield.” - -“Have you been doing that faithfully?” asked Lattiser earnestly. - -“Every afternoon,” replied Winans. “Haxton scolds if we pitch or catch, -and I’ve forgotten how a bat feels in my hands. He shoos us out if we -get too near the infield”—— - -“It looks as if he didn’t want you,” remarked Lattiser, thoughtfully -rubbing his chin. “I thought maybe he would be more of a man. The thing -for him to do was either to work you hard, then say you would not do for -the team, or else to play fair. He does not seem to have the nerve to do -one, or the moral courage to do the other.” - -“Yes, but what are we to do about it?” asked Larry quickly. - -“My boy, keep on working hard, don’t talk back, don’t give him any -opportunity to order you off the field. Meantime, you four are learning -just as much baseball and a lot more discipline than you would learn if -you were on the team. Leave the rest to Pop. I’ll figure out some way to -straighten things out.” - -“He’s a queer bird,” laughed Trumbull as Lattiser strolled on, feeling -his way with his feet, his eyes fastened upon the pages of his book. - -“He is older—and therefore wiser,” said Katsura. “His eyes twinkled -when he spoke of finding a way. I think he already has a plan.” - -But in spite of Lattiser’s promise to find a way the fall and winter -passed without a change in the situation, and the Christmas holidays -drew nearer and nearer. Baseball practice had given way to the football -squads, and the interest of the students turned to the other games. -Practice was abandoned, and training suspended until after the holidays. -In spite of this suspended animation on the part of the team, Katsura, -Winans and Trumbull worked faithfully at their practice. Only a few days -during the winter were severe enough to prevent playing, and they found -their work improving steadily. Winans had become a remarkably effective -catcher, and when working with Katsura, he seemed to increase the -effectiveness of the little brown boy’s pitching. Larry discovered to -his surprise that Katsura could prevent him from hitting the ball hard -and that he had discovered his “weakness,” which was a sharp curve ball, -which “broke” quickly at the front of the plate. Winans, who, in a quiet -way, was a tease, delighted in signaling for this ball whenever Katsura -pitched two strikes to Larry, and he roared with laughter when it -“fooled” the batter. Katsura had mastered the “javelin curve,” and the -motion, peculiar as it was, made the ball the more deceptive. - -“What’s the use of working so hard?” panted Trumbull one evening. “We -haven’t a real chance—and none of the regulars is in training at all.” - -“That’s just the idea,” replied Winans. “I’m not bubbling over with -delight at the idea of working hard an hour a day—but we are fighting -for a chance to make good, and we’d be nice lobsters if we fell down -when we got the chance.” - -So the practice work continued steadily through the winter term. Twice a -month, on evenings when callers were permitted, Larry Kirkland rode to -St. Gertrude’s and called upon Helen Baldwin. The girl seemed delighted -to receive him, and chattered bewitchingly during the hour he was -permitted to remain with her in the parlors. By silent consent they had -banished the topic of the enmity between the families. Several times -Helen asked him what Harry was doing, and complained that he seldom came -to see her, and that she was lonely. - -Both were planning their Christmas vacations, and Larry was disappointed -when she received word that her uncle would stop for her and take her -East for the holidays. Krag had written, planning a deer-hunting trip -into the mountains, and at the prospect of the hunt, Larry rushed -through the remaining weeks of the term, and with a much lighter heart -boarded the train for Shasta View. He felt that he had conquered himself -and gained a great victory, even though he had failed to make the team. - - - - - CHAPTER IX - _The Pig in the Parlor_ - - -“The trouble with us,” remarked Winans, kicking his long legs in the air -and hurling his book across the room, “is the lack of initiative. We’re -dying of dry rot. No one starts anything, and the others fail to finish -what he don’t start.” - -“What’s the woe?” inquired Kirkland, lounging over his books in a deep -chair under the lamp. “You’ve been aching for some deviltry for days. -Why don’t you start something?” - -“I’ve been virtuous so long I can’t stand it any longer,” said Winans. -“Here we are drilling at baseball, trying for the track team, boning on -studies like a lot of slaves, and no fun going on at all. If any of you -fellows had any nerve we’d set fire to the main building or tie Prexy in -a tennis net and toss him into the lake.” - -“Why don’t you blow up the old dormitory or put poison in the food at -the mess hall?” inquired Larry wearily. “That seems to be your -conception of undergraduate humor.” - -“Well,” replied Winans slowly, “before I came up from home the governor -spent two or three days telling me how he and his crowd put a wagon load -of hay on top of the north dorm on Hallowe’en, how they hitched one -professor’s cow to a buggy and drove her through the campus, and a few -other delicate pranks. He spent hours bragging about all the devilment -he pulled off while he was here at Cascade, and warning me against doing -the same.” - -“Very proper advice,” remarked Kirkland, who had been buried in his -mathematics. “The old gentleman seems to have a very high sense of a -student’s duty to his alma mater.” - -“Yep,” replied Winans carelessly. “I have a sneaking suspicion that if I -go home this term without blowing up a laboratory or assaulting a -professor the revered Pater will think I am wasting the advantages of -higher education and will be vastly disappointed in me.” - -“Let’s pull off something that will wake up the whole school,” suggested -little Butler. “Something new and unheard of.” - -“What are you nefarious schemers plotting?” asked Kirkland, again -climbing down from the heights of pure mathematics to the level of his -comrades. “I just caught the drift of your remarks. Who do you want to -maltreat?” - -“Bartelme,” suggested Butler. “Not that I have any dislike for Bart, but -we’ve got to have a victim and he’s so confoundedly dignified we ought -to reduce him to the ranks. He’s so important since the Seniors -appointed him to have charge of the barracks, he makes Prexy look cheap. -Let’s do something to good old Bart.” - -“What do you suggest?” inquired Winans, still busy trying to kick the -headboard of the bed while stretched flat on his back. - -“Let’s dope up his bed with cactus splinters,” suggested Butler -hopefully. - -“Crude and not original,” declared Winans. “My son, if you are going to -do anything to render your name famous in this school, you’ll have to -think of something more original than that. It is related in ancient -history that when Methusalem was a Freshman the Sophomores put cactus -needles in his bed. Suggest something else.” - -“Let’s steal Herr Schermer’s pig,” suggested Butler. - -“My son,” said Winans, sitting up in bed, “you show signs of human -intelligence. That would be something to do.” - -The quartette of students laughed heartily. Herr Schermer’s pig was one -of the campus marvels. Professor Schermer, whose immense head, -heavy-lensed glasses and strong Teutonic accents made him one of the -notables of the faculty, was professor of biology, and his pig had, -during the preceding year, been one of the campus institutions. Gaunt, -with ribs showing like the bars of a xylophone, the poor beast had -trotted ’round and ’round the small pen beside the biological laboratory -squealing dismally, save during the periods each day when the “Herr -Professor” Schermer tolled it inside the laboratory and there performed -strange and wonderful experiments, accompanied by the distressed squeals -of the unfortunate porcine victim, which attracted the attention of the -entire campus. It was understood that the “Herr Professor” was -conducting these experiments in an effort to test his discovery of a -serum to cure hog cholera, and the doleful grunts of the pig the sleek -satisfaction of the “Herr Professor” after each session in the -laboratory promised success. - -The idea of stealing the “Herr Professor’s” beloved pig was enough to -startle into action the plotters gathered in the rooms of Winans and -Kirkland for the ostensible purpose of study. - -“Let’s pignap it to-night,” suggested Winans. “Haul it away and hide -it.” - -“Hold on a minute,” said Kirkland. “Butler wanted revenge on Bartelme. -Why not steal the ‘Herr Professor’s’ pig, lug it into the dorm and put -it in Bartelme’s bed.” - -“Hooray,” yelled Winans. “Great little idea. Come on fellows. We’ll stir -this mossy old school up as it never was stirred before.” - -The four rocked to and fro with sheer delight as they elaborated the -idea. The thought of the dignified, serious professor mourning his lost -and loved pig, and of the sedate and over-dignified student monitor -discovering said pig in his bed, was too much for their youthful sense -of humor. - -Ten minutes later the plotters, reinforced by Trumbull, whose powerful -strength was needed to accomplish their purpose, were reconnoitering -carefully the surroundings of the biological laboratory, and a scuffle, -a few indignant squeals and a chorus of muffled laughter followed. The -pig, accustomed as he was to the indignities to which he had been -subjected, probably merely wondered mildly what further use science -might have for him when a heavy blanket was thrown over his head and, -lifted in the arms of the giant athlete, he was bundled over the fence -of the pen. His legs quickly were bound, a noose was pulled tightly -around his nose to smother the indignant squeals and the snickering -brigade bore him in triumph toward the dormitory. - -[Illustration: The Pig Was Borne Up the Back Stairs] - -Few students were awake, and the belated ones were poring over their -studies under night lights. The reconnoitering party reported that -Bartelme’s room was vacant, and that Bartelme was away for the evening, -engaged in tutoring some backward Junior in his studies. - -With much scuffling and smothered laughter the pig was borne up the back -stairs and into the room of the student who was in charge of the youths -quartered in that dormitory. An impromptu nightcap was fashioned and -tied about the porcine head, one of Bartelme’s nightgowns was adjusted -and, with feet securely bound, the “Herr Professor’s” valuable pig was -left to his repose between the immaculate sheets of the bed. - -The culprits, chuckling and whispering orders to each other to maintain -silence, beat a retreat from the dormitory, and once outside, they -gathered under the shade of a pepper tree and doubled with laughter over -the success of their prank, drawing amusing pictures of what would -happen when the dignified Bartelme discovered his roommate. - - - - - CHAPTER X - _“Peeg” Excitement_ - - -The success of Larry Kirkland and his friends in “stirring up” Cascade -was beyond their wildest imaginings. Before noon of the following day -the school was in a turmoil. The “Herr Professor’s” pig had disappeared -and theft was charged. - -It was little Butler who came running to whisper the announcement of -this new development in the prank. It was known that when Bartelme -reached his room the pig was gone. It had disappeared sometime between -the moment the plotters had tucked it under the covers and forty-five -minutes later, when Bartelme returned and made complaint that some -students had invaded his room, mussed his bed clothing and stolen his -nightgown. No one seemed to know what had become of the animal, nor did -anyone connect the theft of the pig with Bartelme’s loss. It was -inconceivable that the pig, tied and trussed as it was, could have -escaped from the bed, opened the door, fled down three flights of stairs -and reached freedom and surcease from operations by the professor. -Besides, the boys remembered they had closed the bedroom door and also -the door leading to the stairway. - -The new phase of the situation made the prank appear more serious; but -it was the attitude of the dignified “Herr Professor” that caused most -uneasiness. He was inconsolable and, as Winans remarked, “his Dutch was -up above the boiling point.” He had discovered his loss early in the -morning, and had stormed into the offices of the president demanding -vengeance. Unconsciously he added to the uproar by declaring loudly that -“Dere vud be peeg excitement” when he caught the culprits. - -The “peeg excitement” grew and increased, especially after chapel -exercises, in which President Jamieson spoke seriously of the offense, -detailed the earnest, unselfish work of Professor Schermer in the -interests of science, of long hours of study in his bacteriological -laboratory; how, by the use of the humble pig, he believed himself near -the solution of the cause and prevention of a disease that was one of -the worst scourges under which the farmers struggle. - -The seriousness of the joke became more and more evident, and the “fun” -rapidly was oozing from it. After chapel exercises the guilty quartette -strolled across the campus talking. - -“The thing that worries me,” said Winans, “is that the pig is gone. Of -course, we thought it would be returned and we’d have the laugh on that -serious old fossil Bartelme. I wonder who took that pig and what they -did with it?” - -“I’ve talked to several of the fellows who live in that end of the -dorm,” admitted Butler. “Some of them heard us go up with the pig and -come down again, but didn’t pay any attention. Rumsey said he was going -for water later and, while passing down the hall, he heard two or three -fellows carrying something down the back stairs, but before he reached -the head of the staircase they closed the back door.” - -“How many of them?” inquired Trumbull seriously. - -“He couldn’t tell. He didn’t see them, and was judging from the noise -only.” - -“Well, one thing is certain,” remarked Larry. “Two or more fellows in -this school know we took the pig and put it in the bed. Why did they -want to spoil our joke? If they wanted to return the pig, why didn’t -they put it back in the ‘Herr Professor’s’ pen?” - -“And why don’t they tell on us now?” queried Butler anxiously. - -“It wasn’t anyone connected with the faculty,” concluded Winans. “If it -had been, we’d have been on the carpet in chapel and probably been fired -or suspended. What the dickens I can’t understand is that they would -keep quiet.” - -“Maybe they took the pig to put in someone else’s bed, and it will show -up all right when they see how serious this thing is.” - -But the pig did not return. The guilty ones waited anxiously for two -days, worried and expectant, hoping that the missing “peeg” would be -returned and the situation relieved. - -If was rumored that city detectives were engaged on the case and that a -spy had been placed in the dormitories to discover the identity of the -culprits. The faculty was extremely busy with its investigation, and was -threatening dire punishment. To make it worse, the newspapers had -scented the facts and were blazoning the story of the “peeg excitement” -at Cascade in lurid yarns, which held the “Herr Professor” up to -ridicule and passed lightly over the loss to science. The burlesque on -the missing germs became a joke for paragraphers and “funny men,” and -each jest was a blow to the sensitive nature of the brusque, rotund, -little scientist who had devoted the best years of his life to the study -of cholera in hogs. - -It was the fourth day after the theft of the “Herr Professor’s” -inoculated pig that Larry Kirkland determined upon action. It had -appeared as if the affair of the pig was being forgotten, but to Larry, -as he studied and analyzed the situation, it became more and more -serious. - -As usual the chums had gathered in Larry’s quarters in the boarding -house to study or romp when he raised the question. - -“Fellows,” he remarked seriously, “I’ve made up my mind to go to -Professor Schermer in the morning and confess that I stole his pig.” - -“What for?” demanded Trumbull. “They are busy forgetting that infernal -shoat, and in another week it will pass into the unwritten history of -Cascade. Future generations of Freshmen will adore us and perhaps -imitate us as heroes who stole the pig. Our names will go down with -those of the heroes who got away with something and were not caught. -Only the boob is caught; the hero is the one who gets away with it.” - -“I know,” replied Larry; “but this is different. My conscious hurts me -every time I think of it. If we only could get the pig back”—— - -“Let’s chip in and buy that old grouch a new pig,” urged Trumbull. “He’s -made as much fuss over that pig as if it was a gold mine we stole.” - -“Why didn’t you get up in chapel and declare we stole the pig, Larry?” -taunted Winans. “If your conscience hurts you so much, why not tell them -about who put the sauer kraut in Professor Ehmke’s ink well?” - -“You fellows don’t understand,” protested Larry. “I won’t give any of -you away. I think we ought to go and tell Professor Schermer we stole -the pig and ask him if there is anything we can do to repay.” - -“You’ll get us all fired from college,” protested Butler. “What’s the -use? They’ll never find out who did it.” - -“I’ve waited for them to find out,” said Larry. “I wasn’t going to -confess while they might think it through fear of being caught.” - -“Fellows,” said Trumbull, “I’ve been thinking that way myself. Let’s go -over and have it out with the ‘Herr Professor.’” - -“Oh, I say,” protested Larry; “I didn’t want to drag you into it. I’ll -own up and see what can be done.” - -“Nothing like that,” announced Winans. “We’re all in the same boat. What -do you think, Butler?” - -“Me? Why I’d just a lieve confess as to do it over again,” laughed the -little fellow ruefully. “My conscience is clear. I didn’t carry the pig, -and I’m so small the ‘Herr Professor’ probably will attack you big ones -first.” - -Rather dismally the small party set out across the campus and -hesitatingly approached the residence of Professor Schermer. Winans, -summoning all his courage, advanced and rang the bell, and the -hesitating and confused culprits were ushered into the presence of the -grave, courteous student, who regarded them over the tops of his -glasses. - -“Young shentlemans, to vot do I owe der honor off your presences?” he -inquired gravely. - -They shuffled, waited, each for the other, and glanced back and forth -between each other for moral support. - -“It’s this way, professor,” said Larry, screwing up his courage. “We -swiped your pig and”—— - -“Vass? You stole mine pig?” he exclaimed, frowning. “For vy?” - -He bristled with indignant anger and glared at them. - -Quickly, now that the first plunge was taken, Larry related the -circumstances, described the theft of the pig, of placing it in the bed -and leaving it. Slowly a smile broke upon the face of the professor and, -growing, it expanded into a laugh, and he sat rocking back and forth. - -“You iss fery pad poys,” he said, removing his glasses to wipe the tears -from his eyes. “Pad poys, but you iss honest. Where iss mine pig?” - -Again Larry explained desperately, the professor nodding gravely. - -“We wanted to tell you, professor,” he said, “how sorry we are. We’d do -anything to help get the pig back, but we don’t know who took it or -where it is.” - -“Berhaps it vill return,” said the professor calmly. “You are ferry pad -poys, but you are goot pad boys to tell me. Aber I shall not speak of it -again, and you, I know, vill help me find mine pig.” - -They shook hands with him seriously and backed from the study. - -“Isn’t he an old trump?” said Winans enthusiastically. “He won’t even -report it. I for one will break my neck to help him recover his fool -pig.” - - - - - CHAPTER XI - _“Paw” Lattiser Has a Plan_ - - -Students were trooping back to Cascade after the Christmas holidays. -Larry Kirkland, disappointed at having failed to see Helen Baldwin on -the train, found himself fretting with eagerness to reach the campus. He -understood, now, the feelings of the upper classmen toward the -newcomers. He was part of it all now and he found himself shouting -greetings, slapping his friends on the back and thrilling with the -renewal of a comradeship that is dearer, perhaps, than any other in a -man’s life. He felt the reverent awe of the old, gray buildings. At last -he understood what is meant by “college spirit,” the unselfish -patriotism to Alma Mater that all good college men must feel. He was -part of it and he began to understand part of the debt he owed the -institution for what it was giving him. - -The winter sun was shining warm, and the tang of the trades was in the -air. It was mid-January, but already the boys were talking of the -baseball team, and of the chances of a strong club to represent the -college. The first two weeks of the term passed rapidly. Cold and fog -had succeeded the sunshine, but early in February the deferred call for -candidates for the track and baseball teams was posted on the big -bulletin board, to set the aspirants off in fresh excitement. - -The boys gathered around the bulletin board were discussing, with much -earnestness, the chances of making the team, when Paw Lattiser, -sauntered closer, stood peering over his glasses for a moment and read -the announcement. - -“Hello, Paw,” called one Junior, proud of his right to address the -veteran familiarly. “You going to try for the team this year?” - -“Well,” said the veteran, “I may try to help out a bit. Here, lend me a -lead pencil.” - -A dozen youngsters rushed to hand him a pencil, and, holding a sheet of -paper against the wall, Lattiser boldly lettered a fresh bulletin, which -he tacked upon the board. - -The swarm of younger boys pressed close and read: - - ATTENTION! - - All those interested in having a winning baseball team at - Cascade this year, attend meeting in Gym Hall, Friday evening, - 7.30. - - P. N. Lattiser. - -The posting of Paw Lattiser’s bulletin created a furore in the ranks of -the undergraduates. No one knew what the meaning of the bulletin was and -in response to all questions Lattiser smiled his peculiar smile and -sauntered along, pretending to be engrossed in his studies. The crowd -still was grouped around the board, discussing Lattiser’s bulletin, when -Coach Haxton, with Harry Baldwin, and several of the leaders of the -“sporty” crowd came past and stopped to read the bulletin. - -“What’s this?” asked Haxton angrily. “Who has been calling a baseball -meeting?” - -“Lattiser posted the notice,” chirped one Freshman. “He wouldn’t say -what it was for.” - -“That old fogy is always butting in,” remarked Harry Baldwin. “I suppose -he thinks he knows how to run things better than Mr. Haxton does.” - -“Hold on, Baldwin,” retorted Dalmores, the outfielder. “Lattiser is a -pretty solid old square head. Whatever he is doing he has a reason for -it—and don’t forget that he’s a pretty big man in this school—both -with the students and the faculty.” - -“He’s an old trouble-maker,” snapped Harry. “I think he’s a spy for the -faculty”—— - -“You do?” - -The question was asked quietly, and Harry Baldwin, confused and red, -whirled to drop his eyes before the steady gaze bent upon him by Paw -Lattiser, who stood, looking over the top of his spectacles. “Well, -young man, if I were telling the faculty any tales I might relate -interesting ones about you. However, about that bulletin: I have an idea -that may help the team, and I want to put it to the students. I may be -wrong, but Mr. Haxton can tell us. Hope all of you come.” - -He turned away without another word, leaving Harry uncomfortable and -fuming. - -“I didn’t know the old fellow was interested in baseball,” said Haxton. -“Anyhow, if he has any suggestions we ought to hear them. It is one -certain thing that we need something.” - -The meeting Friday evening was well attended. The news that Paw Lattiser -had taken to baseball and was going to propose a remedy for the team -attracted students from curiosity as well as from interest and many of -the upper classmen who knew and respected the odd veteran came to listen -to his proposed cure for the athletic ills of the college. - -The small assembly hall used for athletic meetings was crowded when -Lattiser appeared. He walked into the room, still reading, and continued -engrossed in his subject until a laugh aroused him. He blinked as if -striving to recall his whereabouts, then grinned and advanced to the -small platform, where he stood, cracking his big knuckles, his book held -tightly under one arm, while waiting for the laugh to subside. - -“Boning on political science,” he said, smiling. “Sat down under the arc -lamp outside to study and almost forgot the meeting. Very interesting -subject—political science.” - -He stood smiling while the students roared at his apologetic -explanation. - -“Fellows,” he said finally, “I don’t know much about baseball. Haxton -attends to that part of it. But I hear a lot of criticism among the -students. Maybe it’s only because we’ve been losing, but many of you -seem to think we ought to get winning teams. I haven’t heard any of you -say Haxton did not get the best work out of the men; you seem to think -that the team doesn’t get the best men.” - -He paused and there was a murmur of assent. - -“I figure it this way,” he went on. “We haven’t any right to criticise -unless we are willing to help. No use pointing out a flaw and not trying -to discover the remedy. I believe every one here wants old Cascade to -win”—— - -He paused until the applause subsided and then added: - -“But someone is wrong. Half of us are criticising, and the other half -resent the criticism. Most of us think we could do better than Haxton is -doing”—— - -An outburst of laughter greeted the sally and showed that Lattiser had -struck home with his whimsical thrust. - -“The thing I propose is just this: You fellows who think you can play -better, run a team better, and win more games than Haxton and the -Varsity team can, are entitled to a chance, and you are complaining that -you don’t get it”—— - -Lattiser was talking earnestly. He had dropped the half-humorous tone he -had been using, and it was plain that he was flicking some of the -students to the raw. Larry Kirkland, who was sitting with Katsura, had -an uneasy sense of guilt, and wondered how much of the talk was meant -for him. - -“What I propose is just this,” continued Lattiser. “Let Haxton pick his -regular team—fourteen men—the best he can select. Then let the others -make up a team and play his choice. If Haxton, as some of you charge, is -playing favorites, his team will get a beating. If he selects the best -men no one has a kick coming.” - -Haxton, angry and trembling, arose. - -“Whoever says”——he commenced, then gained control of himself. “That’s -a good plan, Lattiser. This school has been troubled by a lot of fellows -who sit around and knock instead of coming out and helping build up the -team. I accept the challenge on behalf of the Varsity team—and with the -understanding that after we’ve beaten them they stop abusing the players -and help the team.” - -Three cheers for Lattiser, and three for Haxton were followed by three -cheers for the Varsity team. It was Larry Kirkland who leaped upon his -chair and proposed the cheers for the Varsity team—and suddenly little -Billy Towne, the clown of the Junior class, restored good humor and -ended the meeting with a laugh by proposing three cheers for the -knockers. - -An hour later, as Larry Kirkland and Winans were settling to their -studies, Paw Lattiser entered their quarters. - -“Hello, fellows,” he said cheerfully. “Hard at it?” - -“Mr. Lattiser,” said Larry, “I thought you were hitting at me in your -talk. Really, I’m not that way.” - -“When you get older,” remarked Lattiser, “you’ll see that the best way -to handle a crowd of hot heads is to jolly both sides. That meeting was -a big bluff. You’re sitting here, planning to lead the Outcast team and -beat the Varsity right now, I’ll wager a dollar.” - -“I—I—well, I did think of it,” confessed Larry lamely. - -“You won’t be on the second team, my boy,” said Lattiser calmly. “I know -Haxton. He has realized all along he was wrong. He’ll choose you, and -the little Jap and Winans for his team, and the second team will not -have a chance. I purposely gave him the opportunity. Whether he wants -you or not he’ll pick you now just to show he is fair—which he is not. -The fact that he isn’t fair will make him do it.” - -“He’s a wise old fowl,” remarked Winans. “He has Haxton figured out just -as I have.” - -“The trouble will not be with Haxton,” said Larry. “It will be with -Baldwin. He’ll not let me on the team if he can keep me off it.” - - - - - CHAPTER XII - _The Plan Succeeds_ - - -Lattiser’s prediction proved true. On the first day of practice, after -Haxton had spent two hours studying the candidates, he boldly posted a -notice on the bulletin board, naming the fourteen players he had -selected as members of the Varsity squad. Eight were veterans of the -team of the preceding season; one was Jacobs, a youth who had tried for -the team and who had been carried as a substitute; one was Wares, a new -man who came highly recommended from a preparatory school, and the -others were the rebels—Larry Kirkland, Trumbull, Winans and Katsura. - -Even Larry was surprised to find that all four of them had been -selected; and he was relieved, for secretly he had feared that Haxton, -who was known to hold prejudice against the Japanese, would surrender on -all other points and bar Katsura. - -The announcement of the team make-up broke the opposition to Haxton and -his methods. As Lattiser had shrewdly guessed, Haxton had selected, as -regulars, the very men upon whom the “knockers” based their charges of -unfairness, and left them nothing upon which to base their charges. -There was an enthusiastic movement among the lower classmen, who thought -they could play well, to organize a team to play the regulars, but they -were defeated in a farcical game and, true to their promise, they ceased -criticising and became loyal adherents of the Varsity. Sentiment in the -school had been unified, and the college spirit of Cascade revived. Only -one sore spot remained—and that was the enmity between Larry Kirkland -and Harry Baldwin. - -“If only we played different positions,” Larry lamented to Winans. “It -seems as if I always have to fight that fellow. One or the other of us -has to be third baseman of this team.” - -“He has declared he wouldn’t play on a team with you,” remarked Winans. -“I guess he’ll have to make good.” - -Another surprise resulted, however. Haxton was too shrewd a judge of -players not to see that he had found an excellent infielder in Kirkland, -and much as he disliked the youth, who had been a stumbling block in his -path, he could not afford to overlook such material, especially as -Larry’s fielding and base-running in practice games had attracted the -admiring attention of some of the upper classmen who knew the game. He -hesitated to offend Baldwin, yet, as the practice games proceeded, it -became evident to all on the field that Larry was much the better at -third base, and the superior to Baldwin in all-around playing. On the -eve of the game with St. Mary’s, the first of the important games with -rival teams of rival institutions, Haxton announced the line-up of the -team, placing Baldwin at third, Kirkland at short, and, even more -surprising, sending Winans in as catcher and placing Torney, the regular -Varsity catcher, a veteran of three seasons, at first base. The move -undoubtedly strengthened the team as a whole, but Larry Kirkland knew -Haxton had compromised with his own judgment in keeping Baldwin on -third, and that he either should have been sent to third himself or -placed on the bench. He was disappointed that Trumbull had not been -chosen, but the enthusiasm of the big outfielder over the choice of two -of his friends as regulars was so honest that it was recompense. - -The game with St. Mary’s proved a desperate one. For seven innings the -two teams, evenly matched, battled for supremacy, with the score tied, -each team having scored once. Larry saw several opportunities wasted, -but, remembering the advice of Krag, he maintained silence, and made no -comments upon the failure of his fellows to take advantage of openings. -He realized for the first time that he knew more of the generalship of -the game than did Haxton, who plainly was limited in his knowledge of -baseball strategy. Krag’s lectures, and his own experience with the -Shasta View team, had taught him a great deal about the inside game that -was unknown to the college boys. - -With the score 1 to 1 in the first half of the eighth, the first batter -for St. Mary’s drove a long two-base hit out to left field. Larry -expected the next batter to sacrifice, and had crept forward a few paces -to be in readiness in case the ball should be bunted toward him, when -the batter slashed fiercely at the ball and drove it on the ground -between Baldwin and Larry. It was Baldwin’s ball, although the chance -was difficult, and as Baldwin was caught standing flat-footed, Larry -leaped sideways and made a desperate effort to head off the hit. He -reached the ball back at the edge of the grass, outside the base lines, -and in such a position that to recover, turn and throw to first base in -time was an impossibility. Like a flash he thought of another play and -without looking he scooped the ball and threw it underhand to third -base. The runner coming from second had hesitated as Larry tore across -the base line in pursuit of the ball, and he was all of fifteen feet -from the bag when Larry threw. The play was unexpected and brilliantly -executed. If Baldwin caught the ball and touched the runner it meant -that St. Mary’s hopes were dashed and that Cascade was saved temporarily -from a dangerous position. But Baldwin did not catch the ball. Larry’s -warning shout aroused him just in time to enable him to dodge, the ball -flashed past his head, went to the grand stand and while the St. Mary’s -adherents screamed their applause, one runner scored and another reached -second base. Before the inning ended he, too, crossed the plate and the -score was 3 to 1 in favor of the visitors. - -Larry, hot and exasperated, returned to the bench. He was determined not -to speak of the misplay that had resulted so disastrously, but when he -reached the bench he found Haxton and Baldwin in a heated argument. - -“Why don’t you keep your eyes open?” Haxton demanded. “If you had been -keeping your eye on the ball it wouldn’t have happened.” - -“That —— —— simply tried to show me up,” snarled Baldwin. “He knew -the play was to first, and he threw to third because he saw I wasn’t -watching.” - -“It was the only way he could have played it,” retorted Haxton, -exasperated. “Don’t try to shift the blame. You were asleep and now -you’re trying to lay it on someone else.” - -“I won’t play on a team with a mucker like that,” cried Baldwin, furious -with anger. “He’s been trying to get my job ever since he came here and -I won’t stand it.” - -“All right—all right,” responded the now furious manager. “McAtee, you -play short next inning and we’ll put Kirkland on third.” - -Baldwin, stunned by the unexpected acceptance of his challenge, started -to whine. - -“Oh, say, Dick,” he pleaded, “I was mad—I didn’t mean it. Don’t put me -out of the game—my girl is in the stand.” - -“You must have been watching her instead of the ball,” snapped Haxton, -too furious to relent. - -Baldwin sprang to his feet, as if to strike the manager, and at that -instant little Katsura, with a catlike move, seized his arm, gave it a -quick twist, and Baldwin, half sobbing with pain, sank down, whimpering -and holding his arm. - -Suddenly he turned upon Larry Kirkland, cursing and half sobbing. - -“You did this,” he said. “It’s all your fault. You’ve been trying to -make trouble for me ever since you came here—but I’ll get even with -you—I’ll”—— - -Larry had leaped to his feet, but Winans dragged him back, and Baldwin, -still swearing and threatening, left the field. - -During all the scene Larry Kirkland had not spoken a word. Indeed, -Baldwin’s frantic outburst had been so unexpected that none of the -players had recovered from their astonishment sufficiently to join the -dispute. Larry turned to the coach. - -“I’m sorry this happened, Mr. Haxton,” he said. “I tried to make the -play”—— - -“I know it,” snapped Haxton. “Cartright, you get up there and try to get -those two runs back.” He glanced along the bench a moment. “Trumbull,” -he snapped, “you’ll hit for Arksall. We’ve got to get those runs back.” - -But although they rallied and strove desperately to overcome the -disadvantage, they were beaten, 3 to 2. - - - - - CHAPTER XIII - _The “Peeg Mystery” Cleared_ - - -The time for the final selection of the Cascade team approached, with a -score of youths working with might and main to win or hold places as -regular players. The conduct of Haxton toward Larry Kirkland and his -friends had not changed materially, although after the rebellion of -Harry Baldwin he was fairer toward Larry and his friends. It was evident -too that the opinion of the students who came regularly to watch the -practice games was having its influence upon the coach, and that he was -watching more attentively the playing, especially of Winans, the big, -easy-moving, strong-throwing catcher, and of Kirkland, whose work at -third base and at shortstop in the occasions in which he had been given -the opportunity to play. Paw Lattiser’s active interest in Kirkland was -having its influence among the Seniors, and Clark, one of the student -directors of athletics, appeared to favor Kirkland or, at least, to -treat him with condescending friendliness. - -In several clashes in which the first team, chosen by Coach Haxton, had -been pitted against the “scrubs,” Kirkland had shone brilliantly as -compared with Harry Baldwin, who seemed to have an idea that the -position was a sinecure after regaining his standing with Haxton. -Baldwin and several of the sporty crowd that followed his lead lost few -opportunities to belittle Kirkland, and several times they had -flagrantly attempted to insult little Katsura. Only the calm philosophy -of the little brown fellow and his ignoring of the rebuffs prevented -open resentment of their conduct by Kirkland and Winans, who valued the -friendship of Katsura. - -Larry Kirkland returned to his rooms one evening after a call at St. -Gertrude’s, quiet and troubled. - -“Why all these glooms?” inquired Winans, who, as usual, was sitting up -hoping to start an argument before going to sleep. “Has the lovely -maiden treated you ill to-night?” - -“I’m worried over something,” confessed Larry. “It was just a little -remark I heard. I didn’t pay any attention to it at the time, but -walking home I remembered it and I wish I had inquired more closely.” - -“What was it?” - -“Well—the friend I went to see happens to be related to Har——to one -of the fellows here in school. She remarked that this fellow had told -her I was sure to be fired from college. I thought it was merely some of -his talk, as he has made similar remarks before, but on the way home I -wondered whether it had anything to do with the pig case.” - -“Oh, that’s dead, buried and forgotten. I haven’t heard it even -mentioned lately, and the faculty probably gave it up in disgust when -the ‘Herr Professor’ dropped it.” - -“You forget,” said Larry earnestly, “that at least two persons knew we -stole the pig. Why did they keep quiet? Maybe they will inform the -faculty now. If this fellow I speak of knows we stole the pig, the -faculty will hear of it soon enough.” - -“Oh, forget it,” advised Winans. “I’ve figured out that the fellows who -took the pig out of Bartelme’s bed are afraid to say a word because they -are as deep in the mud as we are in the mire.” - -“I know that,” urged Larry. “That’s why I’m thinking about this. If we -can find out who they are, maybe we could find the ‘Herr Professor’s’ -pig for him.” - -“Chances are, piggy, germs and all, has gone to pig heaven long before -this,” yawned Winans. “I’m sleepy, and I refuse to worry about that pig -any further. I’ve grown so sick of pig that I won’t touch my ham and -eggs.” - -Larry’s troubled evening was not without cause. Two days later he -returned from class and found Winans and Trumbull awaiting him in gloomy -forboding. Each had received notice to appear before the Faculty -Committee at three o’clock that afternoon without fail. Another note of -the same import was awaiting addressed to Larry, and a hasty scouring of -the campus revealed little Butler in the throes of despair over an order -of similar nature. The discovery that all of those implicated in the -“peeg” plot had been summoned made it a certainty that the faculty at -last had received information as to the identity of the culprits. Butler -seemed much relieved. - -“Gee,” he ejaculated, “I’m glad it’s that. I was afraid it was some -confounded flunk in math. I’d rather be called up for first degree -murder than to flunk in math. I think father would forgive me more -quickly.” - -“I’m certain father will be proud of me now,” said Winans. - -The luncheon period was spent in idle speculation as to the manner in -which the faculty had received its information. Larry, although his -suspicions pointed strongly to Harry Baldwin, and who felt assured that -Baldwin at least knew the faculty would be informed, decided to withhold -his accusation until after the ordeal in the president’s office. - -The quartette, a little awed, filed into the offices of the president -promptly at the assigned hour. The president, cracking his knuckles, as -was his wont, sat in state, flanked on the right by Professor Jervis, -dean of the mathematical department and the terror of many generations -of Cascade youths, ready and eager to enforce any penalty up to capital -punishment upon any accused or suspected student, and on the left by -Professor Weyrich, head of the college of chemistry, the jovial, -twinkling-eyed, fat friend and defender of all boys, who loved them most -when they had fractured college law worse than usual. - -As the quartette entered, President Jamieson gazed at them over the rims -of his spectacles, cracked his knuckles until they sounded like corn -popping, and said: - -“Ahem—young gentlemen, good afternoon.” - -“Good afternoon,” they replied faintly. - -“Ahem,” continued the president, eyeing them one after the other -pompously. Professor Jarvis scowled threateningly, and Larry Kirkland, -shifting his glance from the forbidding and the accusing countenances, -looked at the solemn-faced head of the chemical department just in time -to observe a quick, but unmistakable wink from the eye furtherest from -the others of the faculty. - -“Ahem,” repeated the president. “Ahem,—Winans, Kirkland, Trumbull and -Butler; all here I see. Very satisfactory. Very satisfactory.” - -“Yes, sir,” they agreed in chorus. - -“I suppose,” the president hesitated and cracked his knuckles again. “I -conclude, at least, that you young gentlemen are aware of the charge -about to be considered? You need not reply. I can see you at least fear -we have discovered you; but, to be just, I will merely add that if any -one of you is in ignorance, which is possible, but hardly probable, the -charge is that you are the four miscreants who committed the crime of -theft in stealing one pig, the property of Cascade College, for use in -scientific investigations, then in the custody of Professor Schermer.” - -He bent a judicial, yet accusing, look upon them. - -“Well, well, what have you to say?” demanded Professor Jervis sharply. -“What defense have you to offer—if any?” - -“I think,” interjected Professor Weyrich, “that the facts of the case -have not been fairly stated. The pig was not, as I understand it, the -property of Cascade College, since Professor Schermer paid for it from -his own salary, and Jervis, I believe it was at your suggestion that the -Faculty Finance Committee refused to pay for the pig.” - -“The matter of ownership is inconsequential,” declared the president. -“No matter whether Professor Schermer paid for the pig or not, it was a -valuable asset to the scientific department of Cascade and therefore -really the property of the institution. What have you young gentlemen to -say?” - -The quartette shuffled uneasily, waiting for one to advance as -spokesman. Winans nudged Larry Kirkland, who stepped a pace forward and, -looking straight at Professor Jervis, replied: - -“We stole the pig.” - -His antagonistic nature was stirred by the attitude of Professor Jervis, -and he set his lips tightly, determined not to say another word. At that -moment Professor Schermer entered. - - - - - CHAPTER XIV - _The Prodigal Pig Returns_ - - -Professor Schermer bowed gravely to the Faculty Committee and remarked -to Professor Weyrich: - -“Ach, Schon, I vass for you seeging”—— - -Suddenly he caught sight of, or recognized, the four culprits and, -turning to them, he bowed again, his grave face taking on a worried -expression. - -“Ah,” he exclaimed, “mine gute friends, the gute pad poys. I vass in -hopes you would be gute poys before this.” - -“Those,” exclaimed Professor Jervis, “are the young scoundrels who stole -your pig, Schermer. We discovered their guilt and they have confessed.” - -“Mine gute Provessor Jervis,” said Professor Schermer; “dot I alretty -know long ago. They haf to me come to confess, unt they iss not -sgoundrels, but gute pad poys.” - -“They confessed to you that they stole the pig and you said nothing to -the faculty of it?” exclaimed the worthy president in dismay. “Dear me, -dear me, this is a state of affairs!” - -“It seems to me it was a pretty fair thing to do,” declared Weyrich. - -“It was this way, Professor,” declared Larry Kirkland, addressing -Professor Weyrich and turning from Jervis, who was frowning angrily. “We -took the pig as a lark. We carried it into the third floor of the -dormitory and put it in Bartelme’s bed. We thought he would find it -there and we’d have a joke on him. When we discovered how serious the -matter was, we thought it was the fair thing to confess to Professor -Schermer that we took the pig and offer restitution. He was very kind -and offered to drop the entire matter.” - -“Then if Schermer got his pig back why did he not tell us?” asked -Professor Jervis angrily. - -“I haf not der peeg,” said the little professor, nodding his great head -sadly. - -“What became of the ah—er—porcine victim of this escapade?” inquired -Professor Weyrich, his eyes twinkling with enjoyment he could not -entirely conceal. - -“That is why I spoke just now,” volunteered Larry boldly. “We left the -pig in Bartelme’s bed, tied hand and foot. Someone else took it before -Bartelme got there. Two or three fellows were heard to carry something -down the back stairs after we left. We have been trying to find who they -were, so as to recover the pig for Professor Schermer, but until to-day -we never have had a clue.” - -“Ah—young man, you have a clue now?” inquired the worthy president. -“What is it?” - -“If you will tell me who informed the faculty that we stole the pig, -I’ll tell you who took him from Bartelme’s room,” asserted Larry. “Then -we’ll have a chance to recover it.” - -“Unfortunately,” said the president sadly, “we cannot do that. The note -naming you as the culprits was not signed.” - -After some discussion the youths were requested to retire while the -Faculty Committee discussed the question of punishment. Fifteen minutes -later they were summoned to return. Professor Jervis, hot and angry, was -just retiring. - -“Anyhow,” he exclaimed angrily, “I’ll not be a party to it. I’ll not be -a party to letting every young scoundrel who flaunts defiance in the -face of the faculty go scot free.” - -Jervis’ angry departure gave the youths a strong hint that they were to -be permitted to escape punishment, and fifteen minutes later, after -listening to a scathing reprimand, they emerged upon the campus with the -weight lifted. - -“Come on, fellows,” said Larry Kirkland; “let’s get back that pig. -Professor Schermer is one of the squarest little men in the world and we -ought to do anything to repay him.” - -“But where is it?” inquired Trumbull. - -“Come over to the rooms. I have a scheme and if you fellows will go -through with it we’ll get that pig back.” - -It was nine o’clock that evening when four young men advanced cautiously -toward one of the fraternity houses just outside the college grounds. -They were well prepared. By notes, telephone messages and other devices -all the regular occupants of that house had been drawn to far parts of -the town or the college colony. The one remaining was Harry Baldwin, who -was lolling disconsolately upon a couch, pretending to study and smoking -cigarettes when the door to his study opened, four fellows stepped -inside and shot the bolt. - -“Hello!” exclaimed Baldwin, starting up. “You came”—— - -“Baldwin,” said Big Trumbull, who had been nominated to do the talking, -“we’ve come to find out what you did with Professor Schermer’s pig.” - -“You stole him—you ought to know,” retorted Baldwin, betraying himself -in his surprise. - -“Then you _are_ the one who wrote a note to the faculty?” demanded -Trumbull. “That’s one thing we wanted to be sure of. Now, what did you -do with the pig?” - -“I didn’t take the—pig. I won’t tell you anything,” declared Baldwin -defiantly. - -“Sit on him, fellows,” ordered Trumbull. - -The sitting-upon process, accomplished by four athletic youths was -extremely efficacious. In three minutes Baldwin, helpless and ready to -cry from rage, weakened. - -“Let loose and I’ll tell you,” he said, surrendering. - -“Two of you climb off,” ordered Trumbull. “Now, Baldwin, where did you -take that pig?” - -“We took him in an automobile,” replied Baldwin sullenly. - -“Why?” - -“Well, we saw you fellows put it in Bartelme’s room and we thought it -would get you in bad if the pig never came back.” - -“Who were we?” demanded Trumbull. - -“Don’t answer that, Baldwin,” said Winans as Baldwin opened his mouth to -reply. “Don’t make him any worse of a tattletale than he is.” - -“All right,” assented Trumbull. “Now, Baldwin, what became of that pig?” - -“We hauled it out to that road house, about seven miles out, and gave it -to the fellow who keeps the garage there.” - -“All right, Baldwin—and if you’ve lied to us we’ll be back.” - -“I’ll get even with you fellows for this,” stormed Baldwin as the -quartette released him and started to retreat from the fraternity house. -“I’ll see that the faculty knows all about this business.” - -“Lock the door again, Win,” ordered Trumbull threateningly. “Now, -Baldwin, that won’t do. The faculty knows we took the pig. It has tried -us and found us innocent of wrongdoing. It wants to find the ones who -really stole the pig.” - -“You fellows aren’t going to tell”—— - -“Oh, shut up,” exclaimed Trumbull in disgust. “No—you keep your mouth -shut and if we get that pig back we’ll keep quiet.” - -Three hours later the rejoicing quartette, with a trussed pig emitting -muffled squeals in the tonneau of the automobile, returned and, after a -breathless skirmish to avoid the night watchman, they reached the pen -behind the biological laboratory and the precious pig was left grunting -indignantly. - -Early ones among the students the following day found Professor Schermer -busy in his laboratory, speaking endearing words in broken German to the -pig, which, trussed upside down on the table, was squealing its -indignation as the scientist gloated over the discovery that his -precious germs not only were intact, but that the cultures had developed -amazingly during piggy’s period of freedom. - - - - - CHAPTER XV - _Helen in Trouble_ - - -Cascade was winning. After the defeat at the hands of the strong team -from St. Mary’s, the re-arranged club settled to its task and, improving -with every game, it became one of the strong contenders for honors in -the college circuit. In the second encounter, St. Mary’s had been -overthrown and Larry Kirkland, who was playing brilliantly at third -base, was the deciding factor in the victory. - -For a week after the scene on the bench during the game with St. Mary’s, -Harry Baldwin had failed to make any move, beyond striving to conciliate -Coach Haxton and regain his standing with the other players. He reported -for practice the day after the game, and although not received warmly by -either the coach or the other players, he had worked faithfully, -avoiding any reference to the trouble; and he had privately apologized -to Haxton for his loss of temper and breach of discipline. - -Not a hint had been dropped as to the means by which the pig had been -recovered. Baldwin at first seemed to avoid the quartette who had forced -him to confess, but by degrees he returned to his attitude of scornful -superiority toward them and truckling with Haxton. - -Larry Kirkland, who was watching in silence, commenced to hope that the -disciplining had taught Harry Baldwin a valuable lesson and several -times, during practice, he purposely had called to Baldwin to practice -at third and had voluntarily gone to hit “fungoes” to the fielders, -permitting his rival to practice in the position. His generous behavior -toward Baldwin had won him much sympathy from the veterans, and it -seemed that Baldwin himself had decided to bury the hatchet and work in -harmony with his foe. - -Larry was happy and was working harder than ever for the interests of -the team. Although Haxton had not seen fit to give Katsura an -opportunity to pitch, he had allowed him to pitch to the regular players -during practice and it was evident that he was watching with much -interest the effective use of the slow curve by the little brown youth -who appeared to have so little speed and yet continued to puzzle the -best batters on the team. - -Larry, Katsura, Winans and Trumbull had continued their practice work -after dinner each evening, and frequently, while resting from their -exertions, they discussed plays and how they should be made. Larry -explained to them some of Krag’s theories of baseball, and they found -much pleasure in debating over plays made by the professional teams -reading the accounts of games in the newspapers and arguing as to how -the plays should have been made. Dalmores, the quiet, thoughtful, big -fellow, who had played two years on the team, joined them and became one -of the evening practice class. - -They were sitting on the grass one Thursday evening, after a lively -practice session, discussing the chances of victory in the game with -Golden University, which was the most important game of the year. - -“We’ve got to make a lot of improvement in the next ten days,” said -Dalmores. “They hit Arksall hard last year, when he seemed to be -pitching just as well as ever. They have five of last year’s men on the -team—and they say the new men are better than the ones they lost.” - -“We have a chance if Arksall is good,” said Winans. “For me, I’d rather -have Katty here pitching against them. Arksall has a habit of weakening -when they get a few hits, and that is just the time Katty begins to -pitch.” - -“Hey—what are you running away for?” - -Trumbull shouted the question at Larry Kirkland, who, arrayed in his -best garments, was trying to slip out of the house and around the corner -unobserved. - -“Going fussing again?” called Winans. “Shame on you—and the big game -with Golden only ten days off.” - -“You fellows are only jealous,” called Larry, hurrying away. “I’ll be -home early.” - -“I thought something was up when he rushed away as soon as we quit -practicing,” said Winans, kicking his feet into the air. “I wonder what -the attraction up at St. Gertrude’s is? This is calling evening, isn’t -it?” - -“Girl from up his way,” volunteered Trumbull. “I saw him hiding a -photograph when I went into his room the other day and he blushed until -I was afraid he’d set the curtains afire.” - -Meantime the “attraction,” Helen Baldwin, was waiting nervously in the -reception room at St. Gertrude’s Seminary for Larry Kirkland. She had -telephoned to him earlier in the day, asking him to be sure to keep his -promise and call, and he was hastening to respond to the request. - -During the term he had found himself more and more interested in the -pretty cousin of his enemy and her friendship had become so important a -part of his life that he found himself thinking of her frequently during -the week and longing for the arrival of Thursday evening. That the girl -found pleasure in his calls he was certain. Twice she had told him how -lonely and homesick she was and had hinted that by representing himself -as her cousin he could call more than once a week. The suggestion, made -in half jest, half earnest, had worried him, and when he protested that -such a thing would be dishonorable, she had laughed it off and said she -was joking. - -The telephone message that had been left for him, set him a-flutter with -excitement and he had hurried away as quickly as possible from his -comrades. - -He found the girl cuddled into the corner of a big divan, her fair hair -piled with studied carelessness upon her small head and her -high-colored, rounded face was marred by a petulant, pouting expression. - -“I was so afraid you wouldn’t come,” she said. “The person who took my -message did not seem able to understand anything.” - -“I came as soon as possible,” he replied, seating himself near her as -she drew aside her skirt to make room for him. “They said you wished to -see me and that it was important.” - -“Oh, Larry,” she said, frowning prettily and using his name for the -first time in their acquaintance, “I am so worried. Harry was here -to-day to bring me some money from Uncle Barney. He found out that you -have been calling on me and he was furious.” - -“I do not see what he has to do with it,” replied Larry, stiffening in -an instant. - -“He said terrible things about you,” she continued. “I was so worried -for fear you boys had been having trouble again. Why cannot you be -friends?” - -“I’m afraid we never can be friends,” said Larry. “But I thought we had -ceased being enemies. We have been getting along very well lately.” - -“Harry says you undermined him and got his place on the team,” said the -girl. “He said you were a sneak, and that you took advantage of him.” - -“He wouldn’t dare say that to me—or to any of the fellows who know what -happened,” retorted Larry, angered by the accusations. “I have tried to -treat him fairly.” - -“But you are playing in his place, aren’t you?” - -The tone, more than the question, was accusing, and Larry found himself -confused and placed on the defensive. - -“Yes,” he replied, unwilling to tell the circumstances. - -“Then he is right—in a way,” she said. “If it were not for you he’d -still be playing?” - -“I suppose so,” he responded. “The manager made the change—we had -nothing to do but obey him.” - -“Harry said you took unfair advantage of him,” she said easily. “I told -him I did not believe it.” - -“Thank you,” he said. “The truth is he lost his temper in a game and -threatened to quit, so the manager took him at his word—and put me in -his place.” - -“I’m sorry you boys cannot play your foolish games without quarreling. -Why don’t you let him play? It seems to me it is babyish to be fighting -over a little thing like that.” - -“I couldn’t let him play if I wanted to,” he answered. “Girls don’t -understand things.” - -“Harry says he is going to play in the game against Golden,” she -answered innocently. “He said he must play because he has invited -several of his girl friends to come and see him—and he would be so -ashamed if he did not get to play.” - -“Did he say how he was going to get back onto the team?” Larry was -becoming suspicious. He realized that the girl did not understand that -she was betraying secrets, and felt guilty in drawing admissions from -her. - -“Oh—he has several plans,” she replied innocently. “I told him I would -ask you not to play”—— - -“But you do not understand,” he interrupted. “Mr. Haxton says who will -play, and we have nothing to do with it. If he thinks Harry ought to -play he will.” - -“Harry is mad at Mr. Haxton, too,” she ran on. “He asked Mr. Haxton to -put him on and Mr. Haxton refused—because he doesn’t like Harry any -more, although he owes Harry lots and lots of money. I thought maybe, if -Mr. Lawrence wrote you to come home you could go—and then Harry could -play.” - -Larry laughed quickly. He knew the girl did not have the least -conception of what it meant to him, or to Harry Baldwin to play in the -greatest game of the year, and he forgave her because of her ignorance. - -“But Mr. Lawrence is not at the ranch,” he answered. “He is leaving -to-day to be gone a month.” - -He had cause to remember, later, that remark, although at the time it -seemed unimportant. - -“Well,” she said resignedly, “I’m sure I don’t care. Harry seemed so -anxious to play I thought I’d help him. It doesn’t seem important to -me.” - -“I am sorry he is so disappointed,” said Larry forgivingly. “I know how -it would be.” - -“Oh, he hasn’t given up hope yet,” the girl replied carelessly. “He has -another plan if Mr. Haxton won’t let him play.” - -“I wonder what it can be?” mused Larry, secretly tolerant of the girl’s -ignorance. - -He was to learn later. - - - - - CHAPTER XVI - _A Treacherous Blow_ - - -Two days before the game with Golden University the blow fell. Larry -Kirkland, playing the best ball he ever had played and inspired with -confidence and the hope of winning his C, was at the athletic field -early, busily engaged in catching with Katsura. - -“You want to be ready, Katty,” he cautioned. “Arksall is likely to -weaken at any time and if he does you are our only hope. I believe -Haxton knows it. He has been studying you every day. He asked Torney -about you and the big fellow said you had him all puzzled, because it -looked as if the batters would kill every ball you pitched, and they -couldn’t hit it at all.” - -“I’ll be ready,” smiled Katsura. “I have studied the Golden batters. -Last year I watched them and when they played St. Mary’s this year I sat -in the stands. I saw many things that I would have done very -differently.” - -“Kirkland!” - -The call came from a group of older men gathered near the front of the -stands, who for some time had appeared to be in earnest conversation. - -“Coming,” called Larry cheerfully as he trotted along the front of the -stands to the lower boxes and leaped the barrier at a bound. He had -recognized Professor Terbush, the representative of the faculty, and -Clark, the student representative. They were with Haxton and Paw -Lattiser, and several seniors, and seemed to be excited over something. - -“Mr. Kirkland,” said Professor Terbush quickly. “This is rather serious -and I hope you will answer our questions honestly and frankly. I warn -you any attempt at deceit will be discovered.” - -“Oh, I say, Professor,” drawled Lattiser, “that sounds as if you had -found Kirkland guilty already.” - -“I admit the circumstances look bad for him,” said the professor, -frowning at the challenge. “I still hope the young man may be able to -prove that he is innocent.” - -“Innocent of what?” gasped Larry, too taken aback to understand fully -what was meant. “What am I charged with?” - -“We have here,” said Professor Terbush, waving a letter in one hand, “a -letter from the athletic committee of Golden University protesting -against you as a member of the Cascade team.” The professor frowned -heavily, his voice pregnant with accusation. - -“On what grounds?” stormed Larry hotly. “Why shouldn’t I play on -Cascade?” - -“The charge is professionalism,” replied the instructor. “We have -investigated and we are commencing to fear that the charge made against -you is based upon facts.” - -“Professionalism?” Larry first was puzzled, then flamed with anger. “How -can I be a professional? I don’t understand.” - -“The letter charges that you once played on a professional baseball -team. Is that true?” - -[Illustration: “How Can I Be a Professional?”] - -“No.” - -“Sure?” - -“Certainly I am sure. I never was with any such team.” - -“Weren’t you once with the Giants, at Portland?” - -“No—y-e-s, I was for one day.” - -“Ah,” said Professor Terbush, turning to the others with an “I told you -so” air, “I thought as much.” - -“Hold on a moment, Mr. Terbush,” said Lattiser. “This isn’t any of my -cross-examination, but it seems the witness needs a lawyer. Tell us the -circumstances, Kirkland.” - -Larry, who had been confused and guilty-looking under the accusing looks -and tone of the faculty member, flashed a grateful smile at Lattiser, as -he suddenly recalled having told the veteran of his experience with the -Giants. - -“It was when I was nearly fifteen years old,” he said. “I met them—or -one of them—on a train coming West. They took me out to the ball park -with them and I sat on the bench with them during the game and that -night I came on home. I never have seen the team since.” - -“That hardly makes a professional of him, Professor,” laughed Lattiser. - -“Ahem—I suppose not,” agreed Professor Terbush, “providing the young -man is able to sustain his statements with proof. However, that is but -part of the indictment against him.” - -He paused, cleared his throat and waved the accusing letter -impressively. “It also is charged that he has employed a professional -from that team to coach him.” - -“That is false,” cried Larry, who seeing that he had the sympathy of one -or two of the committee and the active support of Lattiser was -commencing to recover from the confusion into which the unexpected -attack had thrown him. - -“Young man,” said Professor Terbush severely, “I have no doubt that the -Golden University committee has good grounds for presenting these -charges. It is unbecoming in you to accuse them of lack of verity.” - -“Oh, I say, Professor,” drawled Lattiser, “there’s a chance they are -mistaken, isn’t there? Give Kirkland a chance.” - -“Do you mean to insinuate that I am dealing unfairly?” demanded the -professor, outraged. - -“Not at all, not at all,” agreed Lattiser. “I merely wanted him to have -his constitutional rights—which he seems entitled to even in a -college.” - -“I shall be only too glad if the young man is able to disprove charges, -which, if sustained, would bring lasting disgrace upon the fair name of -our school,” said Professor Terbush, entirely overlooking the hidden -sarcasm of Lattiser’s concluding sentence. - -“I can explain,” said Larry. “Mr. Krag was my friend. When he retired -from baseball he was employed by my guardian as foreman on the ranch. He -never has been paid to coach me—and, in fact, never has done much -coaching excepting to tell me where I was wrong and to offer advice.” - -“You admit he has coached you?” - -“I suppose it amounts to that. He has tried to help me learn the game.” - -“The final charge is even more serious,” said Professor Terbush, -adjusting his glasses and looking at the letter as if reading. “It -charges that your guardian, Mr. James Lawrence, maintains a paid ball -club on the ranch, that you are its captain, and that, for winning a -certain game, to wit, a game against a team representing Pearton, Mr. -James Lawrence paid you the sum of $1,000, and agreed that, if you -succeeded in winning a place on the Cascade team he would give you a -like present in addition to paying the expenses of your education.” - -“It’s a lie!” cried Larry, goaded by the injustice of the accusations as -well as by the tone of the faculty representative. - -“Young man—young man,” cried Professor Terbush in an outraged tone, “do -not further prejudice the committee against yourself by such violent -language toward your superiors.” - -“By the way, Professor,” said Lattiser calmly, “you speak of his -superiors. Who are they? Who signs that letter? Who makes these -accusations?” - -“The letter is from the athletic board of Golden University. The charges -have been made to them and they have requested that we investigate and, -if we find the charges true, to bar Kirkland from participating in -athletic events, which, of course, it is our duty to do.” - -“Yes, but who makes the charges?” persisted Lattiser. “It seems to me it -is one man’s word against another—and we ought to know who the other -is.” - -“We are not interested in the person making the charges,” replied -Professor Terbush. “What interests us is whether or not they are true.” - -“I know who makes the charges,” Larry exploded angrily. “It is no one -connected with Golden University—it is a person in this college.” - -“Be careful what you say, Kirkland,” said Haxton quickly. “That’s a -pretty serious charge.” - -“I know it,” said Larry. “But there are some things in that letter only -one person knows”—— - -“That is beside the question,” decided Professor Terbush quickly. “We -must ascertain the truth or falsity of the charges. Are you able to -prove your assertions.” - -“Wait a minute,” interrupted Lattiser. “It seems to me that in law a man -is innocent until proved guilty, and that the burden of the proof is on -the accuser.” - -“Not in this case,” said Professor Terbush severely. “Our honor and the -honor of the school is at stake. We must not evade our duty on -technicalities.” - -“I can prove it,” declared Larry quickly. “Major Lawrence can disprove -every charge made against me.” - -“Very good, very good,” said Professor Terbush. “I recall Major -Lawrence. It seems to me he once made this institution a munificent -donation. A worthy man—we will write him.” - -“But,” protested Larry in dismay, “if you write him I cannot play in the -game. He is not at home; he has gone East—and perhaps will be traveling -for a month or more.” - -“That is unfortunate,” said the professor seriously. “I sincerely wish -he were here to disprove the accusations. Under the circumstance there -seems nothing to do but submit to the suggestion of the committee. We -cannot afford to take chances of placing a lasting blight upon our honor -as a college.” - -“Seems to me,” said Lattiser dryly, “you can afford to place a lasting -blight upon Kirkland’s honor and integrity without much effort.” - -“Mr. Lattiser,” protested the faculty member, “your construction of our -motives is almost insulting. We but do our duty. - -“Gentlemen,” he continued, turning to the other members of the athletic -committee who had remained silent, “what is your judgment?” - -“I think we ought to give Kirkland a square deal,” said James, who -represented the under classmen. “He hasn’t been proved guilty. What do -you think, Mr. Haxton?” - -“Well,” said Haxton, “I’ve thought all along he played a little too well -and knew too much to be an amateur.” - -“You believe him guilty?” - -“I don’t know anything about it—it looks funny.” - -“I think we should suspend Mr. Kirkland from playing,” announced -Professor Terbush, “and suspend judgment in his case until he is ready -to produce his alleged proof.” - -“Then I don’t play against Golden?” asked Larry beseechingly. - -“We cannot afford to risk the honor of our noble institution,” replied -Professor Terbush. “We hope you will be able to prove your innocence, -and present the proof you say you can get.” - -Larry, almost stunned by the judgment, walked unsteadily out of the -stand and down onto the playing field. Katsura, who had been watching -from afar, ran to meet him. - -“What’s the matter, Larry?” inquired the little brown boy anxiously. - -“They’ve thrown me off the team, Katty,” he wailed. “They won’t let me -play with Golden.” - -“Baldwin?” asked Katsura, stiffening quickly. - -“It must have been. No one else could or would have done it,” said -Larry, walking unsteadily toward the club rooms. - - - - - CHAPTER XVII - _The Game With Golden_ - - -A flutter of golden banners, ribbons, flags and flowers grew to a wave -of gold as the team of Golden University raced out from a gateway -between the stands and scattered rapidly to their positions on the -playing field. The adherents of Golden, banked on the big stands to the -third-base side of the oval, arose and sent volley after volley of -cheers across the field to where the students and admirers of Cascade -sat. A return broadside of applause greeted the opening attack of the -greatest baseball battle of the year as the men and girls of Cascade -welcomed the visitors. - -Five minutes later a tumult suddenly broke loose on the Cascade side of -the field. A ripple of applause, starting at one end of the stands grew -and spread, until suddenly five thousand of the lovers of Cascade arose, -and screamed their welcome to their team. Then, volley for volley, the -rival schools fired their cheers across the field at each other, -challenging to battle. The waves of blue on one side marked the sea of -blue banners, and the sunshine slanting upon the golden banners sent the -challenge back in heliographic flutters. - -The long, rippling yell of Golden answered the booming, resonant war cry -of Cascade as the teams practiced. Down in front of each section cheer -masters, animated jumping-jacks, armed with flags and megaphones, -spurred the throat-weary ones to louder efforts, while the teams, tense -and silent, practiced with set lips. - -In the throng just back of first base Larry Kirkland, miserable and -dejected, was sitting alone brooding over the injustice of his lot and -striving to hide the hot anger that was consuming him. During all the -applause and the cheering he had remained silent; nor had he joined in -the Cascade yell that greeted the diamond warriors when they ran onto -the field. - -Kirkland had fresh reason for anger and resentment. - -In the first bitterness of his disappointment he had made desperate -efforts to reach Major Lawrence by telegraph, to disprove the -accusations of professionalism and to secure reinstatement before the -game was played. In this he had been aided most actively by Paw -Lattiser, who had come to his rescue with advice and who had attempted -to cheer him in his disappointment. But Major Lawrence had gone East on -a long-deferred business trip and could not be located and, as a -crowning blow, he had taken Krag with him, so that after telegraphing -several times to Pearton, and sending messages to be forwarded, it -became evident that it would be impossible to reach Major Lawrence and -secure his evidence in time to compel the reinstatement of Larry -Kirkland prior to the game with Golden, and the effort had been -abandoned reluctantly. Although Larry did not know it, Paw Lattiser had -carried the case before the faculty, and urged strongly that justice be -done, but the faculty had declined to interfere in the matter or dictate -to the Athletic Board of Control. - -This disappointment was a bitter blow to Larry Kirkland. He had staked -his hopes upon the game with Golden, and further, to be barred from that -contest meant the loss, for a year at least, of the coveted C—the honor -mark of Cascade and the Cross of Honor for college athletes. So bitter -had been his disappointment that he had refused to attend the game, in -spite of the urging of Katsura and of the others who had remained loyal -to him in his troubles. To his surprise, Larry discovered that he had -more friends in Cascade than he ever had imagined. Several of the -Seniors, who scarcely had spoken to him before, had come to him to -express their sympathy and their indignation and to pledge him their -assistance and two or three of the team who belonged, by former -alliance, to the Haxton-Baldwin crowd, had assured him that they -believed him innocent and that in their opinion it was a contemptible -trick to protest him at the last minute. - -Larry had won further admiration by maintaining strict silence in regard -to his suspicions. To Katsura and Winans he had expressed his belief -that Harry Baldwin was behind the accusations, and Katsura gravely had -advised him not to mention his belief or make any charges until he had -the proof. - -It was because of this that Larry, sitting in the stands, was raging -inwardly. At the last moment, as he heard the noise of the excited -students pressing toward the grounds, he had abandoned his idea of -remaining at the house and studying, and had hurriedly joined the -throng. After all, he argued, it was selfish to place his own interests -above those of the college. He would cheer as loyally, and “root” as -hard for Cascade as if he were playing. - -It was while he walked toward the athletic field that he heard a thing -that revived all his anger and disappointment. Just ahead of him three -young fellows, bearing Golden flags, were hastening along, and talking -in rather loud tones. - -“I don’t care,” said one of them, “Wallace had no right to bring those -charges. He has done the same thing he accuses this Cascade man of -doing”—— - -Wallace! Larry suddenly realized that the trio of Golden youths were -talking about him. The name Wallace aroused a memory. He could not think -for a moment in what connection he had heard the name. Then one of the -youths ahead said: - -“Pshaw! They all do it. I’ll wager half the fellows on both teams have -taken money for playing.” - -“It wasn’t so much his protesting this Kirkland,” responded the other, -“as the way he did it. Wallace said he found out a week ago that -Kirkland’s uncle was going away, and that he didn’t make the charges -until he was sure the old man couldn’t deny them. It seems this uncle, -or guardian, or whatever he is, is very rich and Wally was afraid he -might come down and deny it all.” - -“All I have to say,” said the third, “is that it wasn’t square. He -either ought to play or ought not—and it wasn’t right to make the -charges knowing he couldn’t prove or disprove them.” - -As they passed out of hearing Larry Kirkland stood still, wondering and -pondering over the situation. He recalled Wallace vividly. He was the -tall pitcher who had been imported by Harry Baldwin to pitch for Rogue -River ranch team against Shasta View on the memorable occasion which had -served to embitter the feud of the Baldwin and Lawrence families. But -how had Wallace known that Major Lawrence was going East? Larry cudgeled -his brain for a solution of that mystery as he walked more slowly toward -the field. - -Suddenly an idea sprang into his mind that drove his selfish thoughts -from him. Instead of going to his seat in the stand immediately he -hastened to the club house and advanced toward Coach Haxton. - -“Why, hello, Kirkland,” said Haxton a little awkwardly. “Sorry you’re -not with us”—— - -“Thank you,” replied Larry chillingly. “But I dropped in to tell you -something, if you do not object to taking advice.” - -“Glad to get it,” said the coach in more friendly tones. “We may need it -with the team broken up this way.” - -“It’s this,” said Larry quickly, “I know this fellow Wallace who is -pitching for Golden. Batted against him once. He has a lot of speed and -a fast curve, but he is liable to be wild. Besides, if your players wait -and make him pitch hard he’ll tire himself out before the end. He hasn’t -the strength to keep up his speed and he gets wilder when he tires.” - -“Thank you,” said Haxton. “I’ll remember it.” - -“When he gets fussed up,” said Larry, “bunt toward him and he will fall -all over himself. I think you can beat him that way.” - -“I say,” said Haxton with genuine friendliness, “it’s awfully decent of -you to try to help after—after—well, after what has happened.” - -Larry had gone to his seat torn by conflicting emotions. He regretted -giving the advice, yet felt that he had done his duty. He found it hard -to hope that Cascade would win. But, before the second inning was -played, he had forgotten his own troubles and was cheering as loyally as -any over the plays. The third, fourth and fifth innings passed and still -neither team had been able to score. Golden’s batters were hitting -freely, but unluckily, and the splendid defensive work of Cascade was -holding them in check. It was evident that Haxton was following Larry’s -advice. The batters were waiting and forcing Wallace to pitch many balls -to each of them and it was evident to Larry that the strain was telling -upon him. In the sixth inning a base on balls and a sacrifice put Rodney -on second base and Harry Baldwin, hitting the first ball pitched to him, -drove home the first run and Cascade went wild. But in the seventh, -Arksall wavered, grew wild, and in trying to get the ball over the plate -was freely batted, and four Golden runners crossed the plate. - -In this dilemma Haxton turned to Katsura. The little brown fellow -smiled, trotted out, pitched a few practice balls, and stepping to the -slab began floating his tantalizing slow twisters across the plate, and -the rally ended quickly. Larry applauded wildly as Katsura, still -smiling coolly, trotted back to the bench. He was not discouraged, for -he believed that Katsura, with his skill and cunning, would stop Golden -from scoring and he hoped that Cascade could score freely when Wallace, -worn down by the strain, weakened. He weakened in the eighth inning, -grew wild, and Cascade quickly tied the score. Two runners were on the -bases when Harry Baldwin, disobeying orders, struck out, and Larry felt -a pang of fierce joy at the discomfiture of his rival. - -The ninth came with the crowd working itself to a high pitch of -excitement and the score tied. The first Golden batter retired, and the -next hit a slow, easy bounder to the shortstop, who, hastening -unnecessarily, threw the ball against the stands, allowing the runner to -reach third. The situation was dangerous. Haxton called the shortstop -and second baseman closer to the plate and played to cut off the runner. -Katsura, pitching as coolly as in practice, refused to permit the batter -to hit a good ball, and as a result gave him a base on balls, increasing -the chances of a double play. - -The next batter drove a bounder straight at Harry Baldwin. The crowd -checked its cheer. Baldwin scooped the ball perfectly. He could throw to -the plate and shut off the runner there, or he could throw to second and -try for the double play that would end the inning. He paused an instant, -steadied himself and threw to first base. The moment he threw he started -trotting off the field, and, aroused suddenly by the roar of surprise -and anger from the Cascade followers, he stopped as if bewildered. He -had forgotten how many batters were out—and had permitted the runner to -score from third without an effort to stop him. A moment later a fly -ended the inning. Cascade rallied desperately in their ninth, but failed -to score. Larry Kirkland, dejected, yet inwardly glad that it was -Baldwin who had lost the game, joined the rush toward the exits. -Baldwin’s blunder had cost Cascade the game and the championship. - - - - - CHAPTER XVIII - _Larry Gets Some Facts_ - - -Bill Krag refused to regard Larry’s disappointment over being debarred -from the Cascade College team as a professional as a serious matter. He -listened to Larry’s long tale of his wrongs with a smiling face, and -when the story was done he threw back his great head and roared with -laughter. Larry, who had just arrived from college for the long -vacation, was hurt and sought refuge in sullen silence. - -“Buck up, Larry boy,” he counseled. “I know it’s tough, but ten years -from now you’ll sit down and wonder why you thought it amounted to -anything.” - -“I expected you, at least, to sympathize with me,” pouted Larry. - -“Say,” laughed Krag, “if it’s sympathy you’re looking for you’ll find it -a scarce article. As a matter of fact, I’m glad it happened.” - -Larry stiffened angrily and bit his lip. - -“I’ll tell you why,” said Krag more seriously. “It’s what you need. -You’re getting better experience at college than most boys do. The -experience is better than the honors you could win playing ball. You’d -forget the honors in three or four years, and you’ll never forget this -experience. You’re learning in school what you’ll get up against as soon -as you get out”—— - -“But it isn’t square,” protested Larry. - -“If you’re going to kick on everything that isn’t square in this world -you’ll go through life kicking,” retorted Krag, grinning. “The thing to -do is to get proof that you’re not a professional, then go back and show -them you are all right by taking your medicine and still remaining -loyal.” - -But Major Lawrence, on his return home, did not view the matter from -Krag’s viewpoint. He flared into hot rage at the injustice of the attack -upon his ward, and declared he would withdraw all his donations from -Cascade, and teach that faculty a lesson. When he heard that Harry -Baldwin was suspected of furnishing the Golden University committee, -through Wallace, with the information, he grew purple in the face, and -stormed around the bungalow, declaring war on the entire tribe of -Baldwins. His outburst against Barney Baldwin and his son made Larry -Kirkland squirm uneasily, for he had an engagement to call upon Helen -Baldwin at Rogue River ranch that evening and he had hesitated to -mention that fact to Major Lawrence, fearing an outburst. - -Larry felt that it was his duty to speak to Major Lawrence of his -intention, but the fierce denunciation of the Baldwins by the major had -caused him to delay the announcement and when, after dinner, he had -completed his toilet, while Krag rolled upon the bed and made facetious -remarks and guesses as to the identity of his inamorata, the major had -driven away to a distant part of the ranch, Larry, taking a light -runabout wagon drove straight toward Rogue River ranch, secretly -relieved at having escaped the ordeal. - -He had expected, and rather dreaded, meeting Harry Baldwin or his -father, but after the brown boy had taken charge of his horse, he was -greeted by Helen Baldwin, who invited him to sit with her on the wide -veranda of the rather pretentious house. - -“I invited you to come this evening,” she laughed, “because Uncle Barney -and Cousin Harry have gone to Portland and I feared it might be -embarrassing to you to meet them.” - -“That was thoughtful,” he replied, smiling. “I’m afraid I might not be -considered a welcome guest.” - -“I was thinking of myself, too,” she laughed. “Harry would be furious if -he knew you were calling on me. He seems to think he is my guardian.” - -They chatted for a time of school, of the events of commencement week, -and finally the conversation turned to athletics. - -“I was so disappointed at not seeing you play with Cascade,” she said -brightly. “I was there with a crowd of the academy girls. I told them I -had a friend on the team, and we all wore Cascade colors, excepting Sue. -She knows a man who plays on Golden, so she wore his colors. We looked -all over the field for you. Why didn’t you play?” - -“I am off the team,” he remarked, striving to avoid the subject. “I was -sitting in the stands. I saw you, but you were way across the field and -there was such a jam I could not reach you to speak to you.” - -“I don’t understand,” she persisted. “Harry said you would not play, but -you said you would. Did you let him play because I asked you to do it?” - -“No,” he said. “I intended to play, but they would not let me.” - -“Harry was right then?” she exclaimed. “He said they wouldn’t”—— - -“When did he say that?” - -“Oh, some time before the game. You know I told you he had invited a -girl to see him play, and he said he had to play because she was -coming.” - -“Did he say how he would keep me from playing?” Larry’s tone was -strained, as he strove to control his rising anger. - -“No—yes—I didn’t understand, but he said something about some rule, -only he was afraid Mr. Lawrence would come down and deny what he said.” - -“Did you happen to tell him that Mr. Lawrence was going away?” he -inquired, striving to make the question sound innocent. - -“Why, yes—I believe I did tell him. Yes—I remember now. He said that -was good, and that the old crank could not make any more trouble.” - -Larry flushed at hearing Major Lawrence called an old crank, but -concealed his indignation. He had not as yet secured all the information -he wanted. - -“By the way,” he remarked presently, “is Harry still friendly with -Wallace, the Golden pitcher?” - -“Oh, yes, they are great friends. I thought it was mean of Mr. Wallace -not to let Harry hit the ball, didn’t you? I was so excited. Harry was -mad at Mr. Wallace after the game, and he growled at all of us during -dinner. He was mad at Mr. Haxton, too.” - -“I thought he and Haxton were great friends,” remarked Larry, who was -getting more information than he expected. - -“They were, but Mr. Haxton was just hateful to Harry, Harry says. He -loaned Mr. Haxton a lot of money—and then Mr. Haxton turned against -him.” - -“Thank you,” said Larry quietly. “Let’s change the subject and talk of -pleasanter things.” - -Half an hour later, as he drove away from the lights of the Baldwin -ranch house, he was so deeply engrossed in patching together the -circumstances of his expulsion from the team with the things the girl, -in her ignorance of the game, had revealed, that he roused himself just -in time to jerk the horse to one side of the road as a big touring car -flashed past. In that flash he recognized Harry Baldwin at the wheel. He -smiled bitterly. - -“I just escaped in time,” he muttered to himself. “If I had met him”—— - -He whistled softly to himself as he hastened the gait of the horse and -turned toward Shasta View. - -“Hello, Larry, where have you been?” shouted Major Lawrence from the -shadows of the piazza as Larry tossed the reins to the waiting Chinese -boy and leaped from the runabout. - -“I’ve been over to Baldwin’s ranch,” Larry replied quickly, determined -to have it over with. - -“I thought you would,” replied the Major, chuckling. - -Larry, who had expected an outburst of wrath, was taken aback. - -“Did you see the cub?” asked Major Lawrence. - -“He wasn’t at home,” replied Larry. “He nearly ran me down on the road -as I came home.” - -“See Barney Baldwin?” - -“No; he and Harry have been in Portland.” - -“Then you didn’t get any satisfaction from them?” - -“No, Uncle Jim. I didn’t go to see them in the first place. But I found -out enough—more than enough.” - -He quickly related what he had learned from Helen Baldwin, how Harry -Baldwin had timed his attack and planned to strike when proof could not -be obtained; how he had used Wallace in preferring the charges, and how, -by loaning money to Haxton, he had placed the coach in a position where -he was compelled to aid in the scheme, or at least could not oppose -Baldwin. - -“I’ll see about this,” stormed the Major. “I’ll clean out the whole kit -and caboodle of them. That whelp Baldwin cannot run things to suit -himself.” - -He trailed off into a spasm of denunciation of the Baldwins. Larry -realized that, in his anger, Major Lawrence had entirely overlooked the -significant fact that Larry had gone to the Baldwins to call upon Helen -and he felt guilty, as he had deceived his friend and benefactor. - - - - - CHAPTER XIX - _“Paw” Lattiser to the Rescue_ - - -The meeting of the Board of Athletic Control of Cascade College had been -uneventful. The two faculty members, the two student representatives, -and Coach Haxton, comprising the board, had transacted the routine -business, discussed informally the plans for the baseball campaign, and -were preparing to adjourn when a request was received from “Paw” -Lattiser that he be permitted to present a matter of importance to the -board when unfinished business was reached. After a brief consultation -the board invited Lattiser to appear and state his business. - -The veteran student, peering owl-like above the rims of his glasses, -entered, his inevitable book under one arm and a bundle of -impressive-looking papers under the other. He bowed awkwardly to each of -the professors, advanced to the center of the room and stood there as if -embarrassed. - -“What’s the case, Paw?” inquired Shelley, one of the “sporty” crowd, who -was regarded as the representative of the fraternities on the Athletic -Board. “Hustle up—I’ve got some boning to do.” - -“Gentlemen,” said Lattiser quietly, “I have here, under my arm, the -papers in the case of James Lawrence Kirkland, who, as you will recall, -was suspended and barred from participating in athletic sports on the -ground that he is a professional.” - -“Oh, that was settled last spring,” said Shelley lightly. “Professor -Terbush decided Kirkland didn’t belong.” - -“Mr. Shelley is correct,” remarked Professor Terbush pompously. “As I -recall it, the young man was found to have played ball for money.” - -“Your recollection is a bit at fault,” retorted Lattiser. “You probably -will recall that you said you would be glad to reopen the case, and -expressed a hope that Kirkland could produce proof of what he said. Here -is the proof.” - -He passed a sheaf of folded documents to Professor Terbush, who received -them, and held them while hesitating. - -“What’s it all about, Lattiser?” asked Shelley. “I haven’t got time to -spend all night here reading documents.” - -“I have there,” replied Lattiser, “the affidavit of Mr. James Lawrence -Kirkland, denying each and all of the charges made against him by—or -rather through—(he stopped and glanced over the top of his glasses at -the circle about him)—the athletic authorities of Golden University. I -have the affidavit of his guardian, Mr. James Lawrence, denying utterly -each and every charge. I have the affidavit of Mr. William Krag, denying -having had any part in the matter, as charged.” - -“Ahem—m,” said Professor Terbush. “You are sure, are you, Lattiser, -that this is not a scheme to whitewash the young man?” - -“That is what I am trying to avoid,” replied Lattiser easily. “We do not -want any whitewashing—nor do we want any fortune dictating the -Cascade.” - -The others nodded approval. - -“Professor Terbush appears to consider Kirkland guilty,” Lattiser -continued. “Naturally he fears that Mr. James Lawrence, being rich, will -strive to overcome all objections by using money, or the power his money -gives him. Isn’t that the situation?” - -“Exactly,” said Professor Terbush, nodding. “No fortune I hope, is large -enough to dominate this institution.” - -“I’m glad you take that view,” said Lattiser, grinning. “If you -gentlemen have studied those affadavits, I have more to offer.” - -He fumbled through the papers under his arm a moment and brought forth -another folded sheet. - -“I was convinced last spring,” he remarked, as he unfolded the paper, -“that injustice had been done. I decided to take an interest in the -case. Knowing that Wallace was quitting Golden University, I sought him, -and secured from him this confession.” - -“What’s this all about?” demanded Haxton, who had maintained silence. -“You seem to have proved Kirkland innocent—let him try for the team if -he wants to.” - -“The confession of Wallace,” continued Lattiser, refusing to notice the -interruption, “bears upon the case. Wallace has written and signed this -statement. Briefly, he admits that more than a week before the game -between Golden and Cascade, he received a letter from a member of the -Cascade team containing the charges against Kirkland, asserting they -were true. The letter further stated that although the charges were -true, Kirkland’s guardian was extremely wealthy and would use his wealth -and power to keep Kirkland on the team. It therefore suggested that the -protest be filed at the last minute.” - -“Is it possible?” inquired Professor Terbush, horrified. “Can such -things be?” - -“They not only can, but be,” replied Lattiser, grinning; “but that is -not the worst—I have proof that Mr. Haxton, a member of this board, and -athletic director and coach, knew of the plan to protest Kirkland”—— - -“I was told he was a professional—I believed he had no right”—— -Haxton, flushing scarlet, had half arisen—“I still believe he got money -for playing.” - -The members of the board gasped. - -“I have learned also,” said Lattiser, suddenly arousing and shaking his -finger at the confused coach, “that you at first threatened to expose -the entire thing; but that when told you needn’t pay the $300, you had -borrowed, if you kept still—you kept still.” - -“It’s a lie!” shouted Haxton. “Baldwin lies if he”—— - -He stopped, realizing that Baldwin’s name had not been mentioned, and -that he had betrayed himself. - -“The money had nothing to do with it,” he shouted angrily. “I thought -Kirkland had no right on the team”—— - -“Gentlemen,” said Professor Terbush severely, “gentlemen—let us not -indulge in personalities, but continue the business. As chairman of the -board, I now call for a vote on the acceptance of Mr. Haxton’s -resignation.” - -“But I haven’t resigned”—— Haxton turned, amazed and confounded by the -sudden change of front by the professor. - -“All in favor of accepting Mr. Haxton’s resignation say aye,” persisted -the professor. - -“Aye,” said Moulton. - -“Aye,” quickly echoed Clark. - -“No,” shouted Haxton. - -“No,” screamed Shelley, who had been striving to get an opportunity to -protest. “I object to this sort of thing—you have no right.” - -Rap, rap, rap went Professor Terbush’s gavel. - -“The gentleman is out of order,” he ruled. “The chair votes aye. The -ayes have it. Mr. Haxton, having resigned and his resignation being -accepted, automatically ceases to be a member of this board. Mr. Haxton -will please retire. Is there any further business?” - -Professor Terbush had risen to the occasion and his rulings seemed to -take the breath away from Haxton and his ally. Haxton, protesting and -angry, seized his hat and departed; and a few moments later adjournment -was taken. - -Half an hour afterward Larry Kirkland and Winans were engaged in the -highly intellectual sport of striving to put Big Trumbull under his bed. -The sounds of their terrific struggle had brought youths in all stages -of semi-undress, racing from their rooms to witness the long-delayed -battle, which had been threatened if Trumbull persisted in practicing on -his piccolo during study hours. Paw Lattiser’s entrance was unnoticed -and he stood grinning silently until Trumbull, exhausted, surrendered -and was pushed, a limp and helpless mass, under his own bed; while -Winans and Kirkland danced a war dance of victory. - -“Hello, Paw, what’s the good word?” demanded Winans, still breathing -heavily. - -“Big news,” said the veteran. “Kirkland is reinstated and exonerated -from the charges of professionalism by the Athletic Board.” - -“Whoop, hurray,” yelled Winans, leaping to shake Larry’s hand. - -“Wake up, you boob and thank Paw for restoring your good name.” - -Larry, stunned by the unexpected news, stammered his thanks. “That’s -only part of it,” said Lattiser, who was enjoying the sensation he was -creating, although maintaining his careless drawl. “Haxton has resigned -as coach”—— - -“Whoopee-e-e,” yelled Winans, leaping onto a table. “Three cheers for -Paw Lattiser.” - -The cheers were given with a spirit that aroused the matron and startled -the students. - -“Come on, all of you,” yelled Winans. “I’m going to drag Paw down to -Bob’s and buy all the best seats in the house, while he tells us about -it.” - -“Hold on, you fellows,” came a muffled voice from under the bed. “Half a -dozen of you drag me out of here, so I can join the celebration.” - - - - - CHAPTER XX - _The Captain of Cascade_ - - -The resignation of Coach Haxton created a condition of athletic chaos at -Cascade College. Some hint of what had transpired at the meeting of the -Athletic Board had spread through the student body, and although it was -garbled and colored by repetition, Larry Kirkland suddenly found himself -a campus idol. The certain knowledge that he had been unjustly accused, -added to the discontent among the undergraduates over the defeat at the -hands of Golden University, and the startling rumors as to how Haxton -had wrecked the team by favoritism, all combined to center the sympathy -of the students around Larry—and those others who, according to rumor, -had been unfairly treated. - -There were rumors that the Athletic Board was planning a startling -change in the coaching system of the school and that, because of -Haxton’s failure, it was decided to return to the system of student -management. The meeting of the board was awaited with great interest. -During the first few weeks after the Christmas holidays no move was made -by the board. The basket-ball team played its scheduled games under the -direction of its captain, but, although the weather was favorable, no -call came for the candidates for the baseball team. It was known that -the faculty, aroused by the Haxton incident, was in consultation with -the athletic leaders, and striving to evolve a system of handling all -sports. - -One bright morning, when the early trade-winds were sweeping away the -fogs and the sun was shining temptingly, Professor Terbush summoned the -members of the Athletic Board to his classrooms, and, an hour later, -Clark, who for two years had been one of the student members of the -board, emerged and posted a notice upon the bulletin board. - -Larry Kirkland, with Winans, was strolling toward the hall, when a shout -attracted their attention and, an instant later a cheering mob of -Freshmen and Sophomores bore down upon them, and forming a ring, gave -three cheers. - -“What’s this all about?” demanded Larry, breathless as the fellows -pulled and dragged at him, all striving to shake his hand at once. “Let -up. What’s happened?” - -Still cheering, they dragged him toward the bulletin board and he -blinked, as he read: - - NOTICE - - Candidates for the baseball squad will report to Captain - Kirkland at the baseball field, 3 P. M. to-morrow. - - E. G. Clark, - _Acting Manager_. - -Larry stood staring at the poster, as if unable to grasp its meaning. - -“Speech, speech,” yelled a diminutive Freshman. - -“Speech,” howled the delighted students, enjoying his embarrassment. -Larry, his face redder than his hair, struggled, protested and kicked, -but was carried bodily to the steps, and placed upon the stone coping. - -“Fellows,” he stammered, twisting with embarrassment, “I’m all -embarrassed”—— - -“Who would have guessed it?” yelled little Turner, raising a laugh. - -“Fellows,” Larry repeated, “I’m flabbergasted. This is all news to me. I -can’t realize that I’m appointed captain. Maybe it’s a joke”—— - -“No, no!” cried several. “The committee decided upon a student manager -and student control.” - -“All I can say,” concluded Larry lamely, “is, I’ll do my best—to help -old Cascade win, and I want you all to help me.” - -An outburst of applause greeted his stumbling speech, and a moment -later, seeing an opening, Larry dodged into the doorway and fled through -the building, across the campus and did not stop until he reached his -rooms. There he remained, cutting two recitations, while trying to -realize the turn fate had taken, and striving to plan how he would form -his team. He recalled his early experiences with the Shasta View club, -and decided that, in selecting his men, he would follow the same -methods. - -Larry was busily engaged writing a long letter to Krag, explaining the -situation and asking advice, when the door opened and Clark, escorted by -Winans and Katsura, who had come to offer their congratulations, -entered. - -“Hello, captain,” called Clark, offering his hand. - -“Hello, manager,” replied Larry. “I want to thank you fellows—I have -been afraid it is a mistake”—— - -“Better thank Lattiser,” laughed Clark. “He talked the professor into -it. Old Terbush came through like a trump. Said we owed it to you for -what the committee did. We’ll never get rid of you now. He is as strong -for you as he was against you.” - -“He’s honest in his beliefs, anyhow,” said Larry, “I’d never dare face -him when I was guilty. He made me feel guilty when I was innocent.” - -“What are we going to do about the club?” asked Clark. “I never played -the game enough to know it, but you may count on me to back you up.” - -Larry explained carefully his plan for the formation of the team, and -the idea met the approval of the new manager. - -“You have the ground work of a team, anyhow,” he said. “I suppose you -will select men to fill in the positions?” - -“No,” replied Larry. “My idea is to forget that any one ever played on -the team—and award every position to the fellow who plays the best -ball.” - -“You’ll have some of the fraternity men and some Seniors in your hair,” -warned Clark. “However, what we want is a team—I’ll back you up and you -may count on Lattiser and Terbush.” - -The interest in baseball revived quickly when Larry’s plan for choosing -a team became known among the students. Instead of the usual two dozen -candidates, the field swarmed with players of all conditions, each -hopeful of getting a position. - -“Candidates for catcher,” Larry called, after the throng had been -batting and throwing for half an hour. - -“Torney is our catcher,” remarked Jacobs, the second baseman casually, -as if imparting information. - -“I know,” replied Larry, “but no one is a member of the team this fall -until he wins his place. Candidates for catcher!” - -Eight candidates stepped out. - -“Pitchers!” called Larry. - -“Oh, I say Kirkland,” said Jacobs anxiously, “the fellows who won their -places last year are entitled to stay.” - -“Not unless they’re better than the others,” replied Larry briefly. “We -want a ball club, not a friendly, social organization.” - -His quick squelching of the spirit of rebellion among the veterans -appealed to the candidates. Fifteen who claimed to be pitchers were -separated from the others and set to work throwing to the catchers. -Rapidly the entire squad was divided into groups according to what -positions they thought they could play. Not one volunteer offered -himself for third base. - -“Looks as if I have a cinch,” laughed Larry. “Don’t be afraid to try, -you third basemen; if you’re better than I am you’ll get the job.” - -Little McAtee, a splendid fielder and speedy, laughed. - -“All right, Cap,” he said. “I’ll tackle you, but I think you can beat -me.” - -“I don’t want any one to think he hasn’t a chance until I tell him,” -said Larry. “I won’t try to pick a team for three days, and then it will -be a tentative one. Of course we’ve got to reduce the squad quickly, so -those remaining may practice. But I want to keep twenty-five regulars -this fall.” - -“Well, that was a good start,” remarked Clark, as they walked across the -campus after two hours of hard work. - -“How do you think the fellows like the idea?” inquired Larry anxiously. - -The responsibility of the position had commenced to worry him, and he -feared that his innovations would not be received in good part by the -students. - -“The majority of the fellows who were watching agree with you,” said -Clark. “I think most of the players believe it is the right way—but, I -imagine you’re going to have trouble with some of the old players—and -the fraternity crowd will be furious. Baldwin is trying to stir them -up—says he isn’t getting a square deal.” - -“I didn’t see Baldwin out to-day,” remarked Larry thoughtfully. - -“Would you give him a chance to make the team?” asked Clark, stopping in -surprise. - -“Of course, if I thought him good enough.” - -“Well—you beat me,” laughed Clark. “After what he has tried to do to -you to give him a chance.” - -“He’s a pretty fair player, if he attends to business,” remarked Larry. -“I don’t want my personal grievances to hurt the team.” - -There were two letters awaiting him when he reached his room. One was -from Krag saying: - -“Now is the time to be careful. It is harder, sometimes, to stand -prosperity than it is to stand abuse.” - -The other was a long, scrawly note from Helen Baldwin. - -“I have heard of your good luck in being made captain,” she wrote. “Let -me congratulate you. I do wish you would give Harry a chance.” - -Larry whistled softly to himself as he read it, striving to guess how -Helen Baldwin had heard the news so quickly. - - - - - CHAPTER XXI - _Temptation_ - - -The next week was one of worry and apprehension for Larry Kirkland. He -had feared, most of all, that he would arouse the enmity of some of the -candidates when he reduced the size of the squad, but to his surprise he -found this task easy. In the first three days more than half of the -candidates voluntarily retired, discovering for themselves that they -were not expert enough to hope to replace the others. Larry was -compelled to issue an order that all candidates who desired to retire -from the squad consult with him before quitting, for he feared losing -some promising material because the players might grow discouraged, or -think themselves poorer players than they really were. By the end of the -first week, the squad was reduced to eighteen players, and after careful -study, Larry chose his first team. The team was made up of Trumbull, cf; -Winans, catcher; Katsura and Arksall, pitchers; Torney, 1b; Jacobs, 2b; -Wares, ss; Allen rf; Dalmores, cf. - -Larry had appealed to Krag for assistance in choosing his men and for -the first time the big ex-pitcher had refused, declaring that from that -time on Larry must exercise his own judgment, but warning him against -“playing favorites.” - -Of the team chosen, only Jacobs had elected to take a stand against -Larry’s theories. He did not actively oppose the captain in anything, -but constantly obeyed orders with a half-sneering smile, or a side -remark directed to some other player, that told, more plainly than -words, his idea that Larry’s plan of playing ball was wrong. The -attitude of Jacobs, more than anything else, served to harass and annoy -the young captain. He hesitated to force an open rupture, yet realized -that the behavior of Jacobs was having a bad effect upon the team in -general. He ignored the contemptuous looks and laughs for several days. - -“I’ve got to do something about Jacobs,” he said to Clark. “He is -against everything I do, and he is not getting into the spirit of the -team.” - -“That fraternity crowd is not back of him,” said Clark. “I’ve noticed -that they seem well pleased at your selection of players. They’ve got -half the squad. The old sporty crowd seems to be backing him up. If I -were you, I’d read the riot act to him, and, if he don’t want to play, -tie a can to him.” - -The crisis came that same afternoon. Larry had been working with the -pitchers at one side of the field, and the regular team was supposed to -be at fielding practice on the diamond. Larry, running back to take his -turn at bat, saw Jacobs loafing near the bench, in earnest conversation -with Harry Baldwin. - -“Oh, Jacobs, why aren’t you on the job?” he called. - -“I’m talking to a friend,” replied Jacobs sneeringly and not moving to -resume practice. - -Larry, boiling inwardly, stood still an instant, striving to master his -anger. Then he walked toward the pair. - -“Baldwin,” he said quickly, “if you will not help the team please do not -interrupt the practice.” - -“You can’t order me off this field,” retorted Baldwin angrily. “I came -here to talk business to Jacobs.” - -“His business right now is playing ball,” said Larry steadily. “You have -no right here unless you come in uniform as a candidate for the team. I -learned that lesson myself—and I believe you were one of the teachers.” - -He smiled bitterly at the recollection of the time Haxton had ordered -him off the field. - -“A fine chance I’d have to make the team with you captain,” sneered -Baldwin. - -“Just the same chance any one else would have, if you are the best -player in the position,” retorted Larry. “The idea is to make a ball -club—not to promote friendship.” - -“I can play as well as any one here can,” retorted Harry, sullenly -defiant. - -“Then get out and prove it,” retorted Larry quickly. “Jake, we’ve wasted -a lot of time. Get out there at second and we’ll try working that double -play.” - -He played abstractedly and missed several chances to make plays during -the three-inning practice game with which they wound up the daily -practice. - -“I’ve done the right thing, I’m sure,” he muttered to himself as he -dressed. “But it looks as if I had merely made more trouble for myself.” - -It was his evening to call at St. Gertrude’s, and the trouble he had -feared commenced to materialize more rapidly than he expected. He found -Helen Baldwin nervous and excited. Her fair face was flushed and the -dark rings around her pretty eyes indicated that she had been weeping. - -“Oh, Larry,” she exclaimed, “I have been so upset. I wanted to see you. -I’ve had such a dreadful time.” - -“Haven’t they been treating you well here?” asked Larry, remembering the -complaints the girl had uttered of the treatment she said was accorded -her by some of the teachers. - -“It isn’t Miss Hazlett this time,” she said. “It’s Cousin Harry. Oh, he -is simply dreadful. Every time he comes here he scolds me just terribly -because you are my friend. He was here to-day, and he told me if I -allowed you to call any more he’d write Uncle Barney, and tell him, oh, -dreadful tales about me.” - -“That is funny,” reflected Larry. “Harry came to the grounds this -afternoon and I invited him to join the team. I hoped we might at least -quit quarrelling.” - -“Did you do that? Oh, I’m so glad you did! Maybe he will not write Uncle -Barney.” - -“What did he threaten to tell? I’m sure he could not tell anything that -would do any harm.” - -“Oh you do not know! Harry is horrible! He threatened to write that I -have been breaking bounds and going riding with you and other fellows, -and he knows how Uncle Barney dislikes Mr. Lawrence, so he just wants to -make trouble.” - -“Why,” Larry exclaimed indignantly, “I never have seen you outside of -this room—he surely wouldn’t write such a lie as that.” - -The girl pretended to weep, dabbing at her eyes. She concealed the fact -that she, with two of the girls had broken the rules and gone automobile -riding with three of the town boys, and that Miss Hazlett had discovered -the fact. She cunningly led Larry to believe that Harry Baldwin’s entire -tirade of threats had been caused by her friendship for him. - -“I’m so glad you and Harry are going to make up and that he can play on -that old team,” she said, smiling as she dried her eyes with a bit of -lace. “He seems to think that is more important than anything. Maybe he -won’t tell those awful tales about me if you let him play. I wanted to -ask you to deny them if he wrote Uncle Barney.” - -“Of course I’ll deny them,” he answered stoutly. “It’s a muckerish trick -to talk that way about a girl. As for playing on the team; he isn’t on -it yet. He’ll have to win his place.” - -“He said you wouldn’t give him a fair chance,” she replied. “He is just -as furious with you as he is with me.” - -An hour later Larry Kirkland bade her good-night. His mind was strangely -excited as he walked slowly through the drives on the lawn and set forth -for the long walk back to his rooms on the campus at Cascade. He was -fighting a battle with himself. - -He could make a place for Harry Baldwin on the team and, at one stroke -he could end the constant warfare with that element of the students that -had opposed him from the first. He could put an end to Harry Baldwin’s -opposition to everything he did or tried to do. Better, he told himself, -he could protect Helen Baldwin from the malice of her cousin and earn -her closer friendship—a friendship which was coming to mean more and -more to him every day. - -It would not be hard. Baldwin was a fair ball player. The team needed a -stronger shortstop, and Baldwin, he thought, could be trained to play -that position well. No one would object, excepting perhaps little -Wares—Wares was a poor batter, although clever and fast in defense. It -might be a good move. - -Larry was approaching the campus, still fighting the battle in his own -mind. As he entered the wide avenue, bordered with eucalyptus trees, he -looked far up the arcade of gentle swaying trees to the gray tower on -the main building, now lighted by the rising moon. He stood a moment -awed by the solemn quietness. As he gazed toward the mass of gray -buildings he again felt the spirit of the college stir within him. No, -if Baldwin played on the team, he would earn his place. The good of the -school; the honor of Cascade in baseball had been entrusted to him, and -he would not compromise it to gain—even Helen Baldwin. - -Having made the decision, Larry Kirkland walked rapidly through the -darkened campus, paused an instant to yell a greeting at Mike, the -Professor of Lawnology, who attended to the lawns and watched for -predatory students, and so to his rooms. He had won his hardest battle. - - - - - CHAPTER XXII - _A Game and an Ally Won_ - - -On the evening before the game with St. Mary’s, the first of the “big” -games of the college year, the baseball squad of Cascade College, -numbering nineteen men, with Manager Clark presiding, met to discuss -plans for the battle. - -The preliminary games had been played, and the Cascade team was playing -more steadily and brilliantly than ever before. Captain Kirkland had -shifted the lineup several times, in order to try out the men and there -was much discussion among the students as to how the team would line up -for the initial struggle of the year against an important club. The -meeting had proceeded quietly for some time when Clark called upon -Captain Kirkland to outline the battle plans. - -“Fellows,” said Larry, “I have thought this out the best I can and I -hope that no one will take it to heart if not selected for this game. I -think it best that Arksall start the game for us, with Katsura ready to -relieve him if he needs it. That will give us more hitting strength. I -have placed Wares at short, and myself at third”—He paused and a murmur -arose from the place where several of the veterans of the team were -sitting. - -“The rest will play in their regular positions excepting Jacobs”—— - -The murmur from the veterans arose to exclamations of surprise. Harry -Baldwin and Jacobs were off the team. - -“I knew we wouldn’t get a fair deal,” said Baldwin, so that every one in -the room could hear. Larry quickly accepted the challenge. - -“I left Baldwin and Jacobs off the team,” he said slowly, “because, for -the last week, they have been breaking training rules and have not shown -the proper spirit either on or off the field. Besides, I believe the men -chosen for their places are better ball players than they are. I am -willing to leave it to a vote of the club and abide by their decision if -any one is dissatisfied.” - -Larry flung the challenge at the little group of malcontents. - -“Don’t do it,” urged Clark hotly. “You’re the judge.” - -“I’d rather have the club vote,” persisted Larry, “if I am wrong, the -sooner we find it out the less harm there is done.” - -There were murmurs of protest, muttered consultations and the vote was -taken. Clark opened the slips of paper and read them off. The result of -the vote stood 16 to 4 in favor of Kirkland’s decision. - -“The majority seems to think I’m right,” said Larry. “Anyhow, we’ll try -it this time.” - -“You can’t take a C man off the team that way,” protested Jacobs. “I -earned my place and if I don’t play to-morrow I won’t play at all.” - -“Very well,” said Larry firmly. “We cannot compel you to play—but I -imagine the opinion of the students will be against you if you quit that -way.” - -The meeting ended quietly, but the open dissension in the ranks had its -effect. After the meeting, the players broke up into small groups and -scattered, discussing the situation. The news of the trouble in the club -spread like wildfire over the campus and interest in the game was -redoubled. Lattiser, who, while holding aloof, always was ambling into -the scene when trouble threatened, was among the first to rally to the -support of Kirkland’s methods. During the morning he strolled over the -campus, rallying the Seniors, and half an hour before the game started -he led a marching force of Seniors, in cap and gowns, to the park and, -before they took their seats, he signaled, and the Seniors, standing, -gave vent to three long cheers for Kirkland. - -The moral support of the Seniors overawed the malcontents. Harry Baldwin -and Jacobs, who had been loitering around as if undecided as to what -they were going to do, suddenly changed front, donned their uniforms and -took their places in the preliminary practice. - -The game started as if to be a walkover for St. Mary’s. The big batters -of the academy fell upon Arksall’s fast curve and fast ball in the first -inning and drove out two hits before he had settled to his task. - -“Slow up, slow up,” urged Larry feverishly. “Lob the ball to them.” - -But Arksall was too “rattled” by the unexpected onslaught to heed the -advice and, pitching blindly, he hurled the ball high over Winans’ head -and let the runners advance to second and third bases. An instant later -Hoskins, the big St. Mary’s first baseman, drove a line single to right -center. Trumbull fielded the ball perfectly, and threw fast toward the -plate. The throw was vain, as both runners would score on the hit, but -Kirkland, cutting in, caught the ball in the middle of the diamond, -snapped it to McAtee, and Hoskins was caught going to second. - -“That clears the bags,” yelled Larry. “Steady now, fellows—stop ’em.” - -The play restored Arksall’s nerves to some extent, and he pitched more -carefully, and, although St. Mary’s made two more hits in the inning -they failed to score again. - -“Only two runs on four solid hits, boys,” yelled Larry. “Now get at them -and get those runs back.” - -Meisler, of St. Mary’s, a speedy left-handed pitcher, however, refused -to permit them to hit, and the game rushed along, with the score 2 to 0, -through the fourth. Arksall had steadied and was pitching well, while -the team behind him was playing brilliantly. Twice little McAtee had -proved the wisdom of Larry’s choice of second basemen by brilliant stops -that shut off runs. - -“We’ve got to get started, fellows,” said Larry as he came to the bench -at the end of St. Mary’s fifth inning. “I’m first up. I’m going to try -bunting. Then, Torney, you hit the first ball and, McAtee, you wait and -make him pitch. Wares, if you get up, hit the first ball. We’ll try to -get him guessing as to what we are going to do.” - -Larry faced Meisler and swung viciously at the first ball pitched, -missing it purposely, and the crowd, especially the St. Mary’s -adherents, roared with laughter. - -Meisler grinned and pitched a fast ball, and Larry bunting perfectly -toward third base, raced across first before the surprised pitcher or -third baseman could move toward the ball. The plan was beginning to -work. Torney, who was a clever actor, shortened his grip on the bat, -crouched and pretended he intended to bunt, but hit the first ball -pitched hard, and drove it so fast past McNamara’s head that the St. -Mary’s third baseman could only dodge, and Larry reached third and -Torney second, and the Cascade adherents went wild. Wares, obeying -orders, strove for a base on balls, but flied out and Larry scored after -the catch. McAtee bunted safely and a fly ball sent Torney across the -plate with the tying run. - -The sixth found the teams battling on even terms, but in the first half -of the seventh an error, quickly followed by a hit and two long flies, -gave St. Mary’s two more runs and seemed to decide the game. - -The last of the eighth found Cascade still struggling in the rut. - -“We upset them last time by bunting,” said Larry. “Arksall, you’re -leading off, try it. They’ll not expect it from you.” - -The big pitcher, awkward and notoriously a poor hitter and a slow -runner, had struck out twice, and among the critics of the game in the -stands there was a murmur when he was permitted to bat again, a murmur -of disapproval that changed to one of laughing applause when he bunted -toward third and went lumbering across first ahead of the ball. - -“You run for him, Katsura,” ordered Larry. “I’m going to hit the second -ball he pitches toward right field, if possible. I’ll pretend to bunt -the first.” - -His plan worked perfectly. Maloney, drawn out of position to field the -bunt, saw the ball bound past him and before it could be recovered, -Katsura was on third and Larry on first. Torney was too anxious, and his -high fly seemed to end the rally. - -Larry turned quickly to Trumbull, who was coaching. - -“Send Jacobs up to hit for McAtee,” he ordered. “We’ve got to win it -here.” - -Jacobs, who had been fretting on the bench, sprang to the bats and -rushed to the plate. The first ball that Meisler pitched was a foot -above his head, but he hit it with terrific force, and sent it rolling -to the cinder path far beyond the outfielders. Before it could be -retrieved, all three runners had crossed the plate and Cascade led 5 to -4. - -There Katsura held them, and Cascade rejoiced in victory dragged from -defeat. - -In the club house, as the excited victors dressed and discussed the -events of the afternoon, Jacobs approached Larry Kirkland: - -“Thank you,” he said simply. “I was wrong. My dad came over to see the -game—and it would have hurt him if I had not played.” - -Larry grasped the extended hand heartily. One, at least, of the -opposition was converted. - - - - - CHAPTER XXIII - _Helen Appeals for Help_ - - -The troubles that had beset Larry Kirkland since first he entered -Cascade College appeared to be departing. The generous action of Jacobs, -the deposed second baseman, in turning to Larry’s support and advocating -his cause among the “sporty” students who had opposed him, appeared to -clear the way to complete understanding. Only Harry Baldwin remained -antagonistic and, since he had lost the support of many of his friends -through his own behavior, his opposition carried little weight. - -Larry was in an excellent humor as he dressed to call at St. Gertrude’s -on the Thursday evening following the final game with St. Mary’s. The -team was winning. St. Mary’s, Silver University and Pacific College -teams had fallen before the victorious Cascade club, and only the strong -team of the Golden University remained to be conquered to insure the -championship. - -It was small wonder that Larry Kirkland was jubilant. He had received a -letter from Krag, congratulating him and warning him of the danger of -over-confidence, and he had just succeeded, after a struggle that -aroused the entire dormitory, in pinning Winans’ shoulders to the -carpet. That wrestling match had been brooding all term and was renewed -each time Larry prepared to call on Helen Baldwin. - -Winans, defeated and all mussed up, was stretched upon the partially -wrecked bed, jeering at his conqueror. - -“I was doing it for your good,” he declared. “I was trying to save you -from the wiles of a designing woman. Now you can go to your fate, but -don’t blame me.” - -“If you’re just jealous I’ll introduce you some day,” said Larry, -refusing to be teased. - -“It’s my fault,” moaned Winans in mock grief, “to let one so young, so -tender, so beautiful, stray into the clutches of a heartless woman.” - -“Shut up, or I’ll throw you, hog-tie you and lock you in the closet,” -threatened Larry, still trying to comb down a shock of rebellious red -hair. - -“Come on,” bantered Winans. “You can’t throw me again. You took unfair -advantage last time”—— - -“Aw, you know I can’t wrestle with these clothes on,” protested Larry. -“Wait until I get my ball things on.” - -“Come on, I dare you,” taunted Winans. “I ought to tackle you and muss -up your pretty hair anyhow.” - -Larry refused to discuss the case, being absorbed in knotting a new and -gorgeous tie. - -“That’s no way to treat a pal,” pleaded Winans, changing his tone. “The -idea of running off after a crinoline when you might stay here and have -a nice comfortable game of chess with your old chum.” - -Larry grinned and refused to be drawn into argument. - -“I’ll have to get a divorce,” wailed Winans. “I’ll report that you have -deserted me—and go room with Paw Lattiser. He’s more company, anyhow.” - -But Larry remained obdurate and hastened away toward St. Gertrude’s, -whistling as he went. The whole world seemed good to him then. He was -early and so decided to walk over the hills to the girls’ school. -Students in cap and gown or in flannels, strolling through the -eucalyptus arcades, shouted greetings as he passed. - -With no thought of the crisis in his life that awaited him he walked -briskly toward St. Gertrude’s, thinking of the girl he was going to -meet. Helen Baldwin had come to mean much to him and her friendship was -dear. He had idealized her and woven boyish dreams about her, although -he never had considered seriously any plan for the future. She was the -first girl he ever had known as a friend and the attitude of appealing -helplessness she assumed toward him excited his imagination. The fact, -too, that she constantly claimed to have been neglected or ill-treated -by the Baldwins aroused his sympathy. He did not stop to think that his -dislike for the Baldwins blinded him, nor did he imagine that, perhaps, -the girl was using his prejudice against the Baldwins for her own ends. - -He entered the reception room at St. Gertrude’s, and as the maid closed -the door, Helen Baldwin rose from her chair. He stepped forward gladly, -both hands outstretched. - -“Helen!” he exclaimed. - -His tone changed suddenly. - -“Helen,” he repeated, this time anxiously, “what has happened? What have -they been doing?” - -“Larry! Larry!” she sobbed, clinging to him. “Take me away from this -place, take me away from them all!” - -The tears and her pathetic appeal aroused in him the man’s sense of -protectorship. Instinctively his arm slipped around her waist and he -strove to comfort her. - -“Tell me about it, Helen,” he urged tenderly. “What is it? Has Harry -been annoying you again?” - -“Oh, it is all of them,” she wailed. “They treat me terribly! I cannot -stand it. You must take me away.” - -“What have they been doing?” he demanded, trembling with indignation. -“Tell me.” - -The boy had become a man, defender of woman, in a few moments, and he -spoke with a sternness in his voice that never had been there before. - -“Tell me,” he repeated. “I will not let them harm you.” - -The girl ceased sobbing, but still clung to him. - -“Harry wrote Uncle Barney the most terrible tales,” she said, drying her -eyes with suspicious suddenness that he did not observe. “He told him -about your coming here and Uncle Barney came this morning. He was -furious and he said if I dared let you call on me again, or take me -driving, he would pack my things and bundle me off home.” - -The girl cunningly concealed the fact that her teachers also had -reported to Barney Baldwin that she had been breaking rules and riding -in automobiles with young men, that she had pretended to be riding with -her cousin and when caught had declared that Harry had taken her riding -and introduced her to the young man who brought her back to the school. - -“It’s a shame,” declared the boy hotly. “They must be brutes to accuse -you of such things when they know we never have been out of the school -grounds together.” - -“It’s because they hate you, Larry,” she persisted. “I told Uncle Barney -you were my friend, and that I would not give you up”—— - -“You told them that?” The boy seemed bewildered. - -“Yes, yes, Larry,” she repeated. “I told them I never would give you up. -Now you must take me away—somewhere. You must marry me and we will go -away and never see these hateful people again.” - -Larry stepped back in surprise. - -“Marry?” he exclaimed in a bewildered tone. - -In all his acquaintance with Helen Baldwin the thought of marriage had -not occurred to him. If it had it had been as a dream in the hazy -future. Some day, of course, he would marry, but he never had thought of -Helen Baldwin as his wife, nor of any girl. - -“Yes,” she sobbed, “you must take me away.” - -“But, Helen,” he protested, “we cannot do that.” - -“We must,” she urged, half hysterically. “We can elope, go into the city -and be married”—— - -“And what then?” he asked, his calmer common sense coming to the rescue. -“Neither of us has anything—I cannot support a wife.” - -“I’ve thought it all out,” she went on hurriedly. “We will be married. -Then we will go and Major Lawrence will forgive us and I need never -endure the hateful treatment I get here.” - -“No,” said the boy slowly. “We cannot do that. I cannot treat Major -Lawrence that way. I will ask his permission”—— - -“You must not do that,” she interrupted quickly. “He would separate us -and we’d never see each other again.” - -She buried her face in her handkerchief and sobbed hysterically. - -“But I must ask him,” the boy protested, striving to comfort her -awkwardly. “I’ll telegraph him that I am coming home, and when he -understands it he will not refuse.” - -“He will. I know he will,” sobbed the girl. “He hates all the Baldwins -and he’ll hate me. He’ll never consent.” - -“But he must,” protested the boy. “I’ll tell him how horridly they have -treated you—and he’ll take you, and when we are older”—— - -“Oh, you’re all against me,” she stormed. “I relied so on you and you’ve -failed me. You don’t love me.” - -Again she wept. The boy, his face drawn with anxiety and pain, knelt -beside her. - -“I do,” he protested. “But, Helen, can’t you see”—— - -The bell that marked the end of the calling period rang. They knew that -in a minute or two Miss Tiddings would enter the room, and Larry sprang -to his feet quickly. - -[Illustration: “Oh Larry, Take Me Away!”] - -“You must dry your eyes,” he whispered. “They must not know. I will -telegraph Mr. Lawrence to-morrow.” - -The girl dabbled at her eyes, and a moment later, when Miss Tiddings -entered the room and sniffed politely, she saw no traces of the tempest. - -“I’ll wire,” whispered Larry as he held her hands. “Bear it a little -longer.” - -“He’ll never consent,” she whispered. “Oh Larry, take me away. I cannot -endure it much longer.” - -Larry Kirkland left St. Gertrude’s, his brain surging with new emotions. -He scarcely heard Winans’ raillery as he went to bed and for a long time -remained awake, striving to lay some plans for the future. - - - - - CHAPTER XXIV - _The Quarrel With the Major_ - - -Major James Lawrence was at breakfast with Bill Krag, on the wide porch -at Shasta View bungalow, when a telegram was handed to him by Chun, the -Chinese youth who had assumed charge of the housekeeping. - -The Major, who had been arguing with Krag, ripped open the envelope, -frowned, reread the message, frowned more heavily and commenced to -storm: - -“Young rascal!” he shouted. “I suppose he has had more trouble at -school. All foolishness to send a boy to college, waste of time—and he -does nothing but get into trouble”—— - -“But, Major,” argued Krag, who was breaking his egg, “you took the -opposite end of the argument the other evening. You insisted that a boy -without a college education was like a boat without a pilot.” - -“What do you mean by throwing up my mistakes to me?” demanded the Major. -“I only took that side of the argument because you took the other. -Confound it, can’t a man argue in his own house?” - -“He sure can,” grinned Krag, who enjoyed the Major’s tyrannical -outbursts. “What’s the matter with Larry now?” - -“He don’t say, confound him!” spluttered the Major. “Says he must see me -on an important matter and is coming home. Confound him, why don’t he be -more explicit?” - -“Girl, I suppose,” suggested Krag, shrugging his shoulders. “It’s about -time for him to have his first love affair.” - -“Woof,” said the Major indignantly. “Girl? That child in love? Why, -confound him, if he dares mention such a thing I’ll cowhide him within -an inch of his life.” - -“I suppose you didn’t have a girl when you were about his age, Major?” -inquired Krag. “He’s past eighteen now—nearly nineteen.” - -“I never had time for that girl foolishness,” snorted the Major. “Why, -when I was his age”—— - -“Not even one?” persisted Krag teasingly. - -“Oh, well”—— The Major paused a moment and grew thoughtful—— -“Eighteen, eh,” he said, “when I was eighteen?” - -He drummed for a moment with his fingers on the table and looked far -away toward Shasta. - -“She was the only one, Krag,” he said softly with a far-away look in his -eyes. “I left home then. She kissed me good-bye—Bloop,” he exploded, -“the idea of him in love! Why, if he dares mention such a thing”—— - -“Maybe it isn’t a girl at all,” remarked Krag, his mouth full of toast. -“Maybe it’s some baseball trouble. So he’s coming home? Why don’t you go -to Cascade instead? The team plays Golden University Saturday.” - -“I haven’t time to be cavorting around all over the continent to see -this baseball foolishness,” snorted the Major. “I’m a busy man, Krag.” - -“Oh, well,” said Krag. “I just thought it would save him the trip up -here, and, besides, you have some business down there and could stay and -see the game.” - -“Foolishness!” snorted the Major angrily. “I’ll wire him not to come. -He’s got to stick to his business just as I stick to mine.” - -He stamped across the veranda to his office, to write the telegram, and -Krag laughed until his great body shook when he heard Chun repeat the -message over the telephone to the telegraph operator in Pearton. - -The message that the Major sent was: - - “Don’t come home. Will be there to-morrow and stay over to see - the game Saturday.” - -Major Lawrence, preparing to storm and upbraid his ward, reached Cascade -on the morning of the deciding game of the baseball season. At the first -glance of the haggard face and drawn expression of the boy, his kind, -old heart relented. He felt a great surge of tenderness come over him as -he looked into Larry’s troubled eyes. - -“It’s all right, boy,” he said tenderly. “It’ll be all right. Don’t -worry.” - -“I had to tell you about it, sir,” said Larry in a strained voice. “I -was coming down to see you because it is something I couldn’t write.” - -“Don’t tell me about it now,” ordered the Major. “Not a word until we -have had breakfast. You’re right to tell your old uncle about it. I’m -sure it’s nothing we cannot fix up. Wait until we get to the rooms, and -we’ll talk it over.” - -“Thank you,” said Larry. “I’ve been dreading telling you. I didn’t sleep -much last night, worrying about it.” - -“Not sleep?” stormed the Major, working himself into a mock rage to -cover his own agitation. “Not sleep and on the eve of the game? Why, -confound you, boy, I came down here to see you win that game.” - -“We’ll win, I think,” said Larry, smiling wanly at the familiar sight of -the Major’s anger. “The team is playing good ball—and Katsura will -pitch.” - -The subject, thus changed to baseball, was not resumed. At breakfast, -Major Lawrence met Winans and Trumbull, and after they had learned his -peculiar temperament and had drawn him into several hot arguments, they -bore him off under the pretense of letting Paw Lattiser decide a point. -It was luncheon time before they returned, the Major triumphantly -declaring Lattiser the only sensible person in the entire school. It was -not until he was preparing to start to the game that Larry had the -opportunity to speak to the Major alone. - -“Uncle Jim,” he said, “I want to talk with you.” - -“Don’t bother me with your nonsense now,” stormed the Major. “I’m going -to the game with Lattiser—sensible fellow, Lattiser, not one of these -flighty-headed college idiots like Winans and that monkey Jessup he -introduced me to. Wait until to-night and we’ll talk things over.” - -The Major was decorated for the occasion, and his cane and coat lapel -bore huge Cascade ribbons. - -“I’ve learned the Cascade yell, Larry,” he went on. “Listen to me and -I’ll make you win.” - -“But it’s something that must be settled. I must know before the game,” -the boy persisted. - -“All right—fire away,” said the Major resignedly. “I suppose its -money.” - -“Yes—and no,” replied Larry. “Its a girl.” - -“Girl?” roared the Major, leaping from his chair and stalking up and -down the floor. “Girl? Confound it, I’ll girl you! Krag said it was a -girl and I told him if it was I’d soon knock that sort of foolishness -out of your head. The idea—girl? Why, you young scoundrel, you’ve just -shed your pinafores and talking of girl! Next thing I hear you’ll be -wanting to marry her.” - -“I do want to marry her, Uncle Jim,” said the boy earnestly. “Right -away.” - -“What?” - -This time the Major’s astonishment was not pretended. He stopped and -stared at Larry as if striving to comprehend. - -“Marry?” he cried. “You marry? What have you to offer a wife? What means -of support have you? Nothing. You’re dependent on me, sir, and if you -talk marriage in the next five years, I’ll cut you off without a penny, -without a penny, understand? Don’t talk to me of marriage.” - -He had worked himself into a real passion, and resumed his storming up -and down the room. - -“But you don’t understand, Uncle Jim,” pleaded the boy. “She is in -trouble; her family is not treating her well; I am the only one to whom -she can turn for help.” - -Somehow, in spite of his earnestness, the reason seemed inadequate and -the necessity not so real as it had seemed when he was listening to -Helen Baldwin’s sobs. - -“Not treating her right?” demanded the Major. “Well, I’ll attend to -that; I’ll see to that. I’ll fix it with the family and then, after you -are old enough to marry and still love her—who is she?” - -The Major broke off his promises suddenly and shot the question at -Larry. - -“Helen Baldwin,” replied Larry, in a low tone. - -He was prepared for an outburst, but for nothing such as the one that -broke. For an instant Major Lawrence stood glaring at him. - -“Baldwin?” he screamed. “You want to marry a Baldwin? Marry one of the -tribe that robbed me and robbed your father, broke your father’s health -and killed him. YOU marry one of that breed of rats? Never!” - -“But, Uncle Jim, she is not one of them. She is different. They are -cruel to her and accuse her”—— - -“Don’t talk to me of a Baldwin,” raged Major Lawrence. “I’d rather see -you in your grave. Never dare mention her name to me again.” - -Larry, bridling with what he thought was injustice, stood his ground -before the wrath of his guardian. He was about to speak when Winans, -from the hallway, shouted: - -“Hustle up, Larry. Time to start.” - -“That is your final decision, sir?” asked Larry, his voice trembling as -he strove to control himself. - -“My final decision,” stormed the Major. “Yes, if you ever dare speak to -me of her, or of marrying, I’ll cut you off without a penny. She only -wants my money, anyhow. She’s like all the rest of the Baldwin’s. She’s -been trying to trap you and get a hold on my money.” - -“I won’t listen even to your slandering her,” said Larry rapidly. “I can -work. I can support her without your help. I’ll marry her and prove to -you that what you say about her is false.” - -He turned quickly and started for the door. - -“Hey, aren’t you ever coming?” shouted Winans. - -“Coming,” cried Larry, striving to conceal his emotion. - -He turned his face quickly as he opened the door. The Major, looking -apoplectic had sunk into a chair and did not meet his gaze. For ten -minutes Major Lawrence remained motionless. Then suddenly he slapped his -leg. - -“By George,” he ejaculated, “I believe that little game cock would do -it. I’ve got to get busy and see that girl.” - -He arose quickly, and bustled out to meet Lattiser. - - - - - CHAPTER XXV - _The Final Game_ - - -A frantic outburst of applause, followed by the ripping, crashing -Cascade yell aroused Larry Kirkland from the half daze in which he had -moved since his fiery interview with Major Lawrence. For an hour he had -been torn by a tumult of conflicting emotions in which he found it -difficult to think clearly. The hot anger in which he had parted with -his guardian had partially subsided and given way to stubborn -determination to carry out his part of the program. - -His mind was made up; Major Lawrence had called him ungrateful, a -parasite and had hinted that he was incompetent to earn his own living. -He would no longer accept alms, he thought bitterly. He realized that he -had failed to lighten the supposed burden of woe for Helen Baldwin. She -must bear it bravely for a little while and he would go out into the big -world, fight the battles for himself and for her and return and claim -her. His mind had traveled in circles over and over the same ground. -Plainly he could not marry her at once because that would place him in a -position where they must accept aid from either Major Lawrence or from -the Baldwins—and to him the thought of either was hateful. - -The roar of the crowd as the Cascade players trotted out onto the -playing field broke in upon his tumult of thought. His brain cleared as -if by magic, and a sudden grim resolve seized upon him. He would play -that day as never before. It was his last game of ball and he would show -them his ability. He jerked his belt more tightly and, diving sideways, -fielded a hard-hit ball and tossed it quickly to Jacobs, who, pivoting -as a dancer whirls, threw to first base. Another outburst of applause -greeted the lightning-like handling of the ball and the applause was -like balm to Larry’s sore nerves. The weariness from a sleepless night, -the mental strain of the morning passed; he felt quick return of -confidence in himself. He looked upon the crowd, volleying cheers back -and forth across the arena, and smiled cynically. They were all his foes -now—he was going to fight them all now, to force them to his own terms. - -Larry found himself giving directions with a coolness that surprised -him. His low-toned advice to Katsura and Winans was given with the air -of one accustomed to commanding. - -“These fellows have been hitting against speedy pitching all the time,” -he said. “I do not think they can hit your slow twisters Katty, keep the -fast curve low, pitch the javelin ball close to their hands and across -their chests, and tease them into hitting the slow twisters.” - -“No breaks to-day, boys,” he called as his team left the bench. “On the -toes every minute. Remember, every man hits when he sees the runner -moving and every base runner runs. Make Herron pitch all the time. Don’t -hit until you have to, and then run it out to the limit.” - -The spirit of the Cascade team was high and their confidence rising. -Katsura, pitching easily, puzzled the heavy hitters of Golden in the -first inning and three of them retired on easy chances. - -“They’re swinging their heads off,” remarked Larry. “All three of them -hit at the ball before it got to the plate. Mix them up in the next, -Katty, and keep them guessing.” - -Inspired by their success, Cascade rushed the attack. Jacobs, leading -off, reached first, and instead of waiting for a sacrifice or a hit and -run sign, he dashed for second; Dalmores swung viciously, missed, and -Jacobs was out at second. - -“Great work, Jake,” said Larry, although the Cascade crowd was groaning. -“Keep it up and he’ll throw the game away.” - -Dalmores went out and Trumbull, after hitting a hard single, was caught -trying to steal on the third ball pitched. - -The Cascade crowd was vexed, thinking that two chances had been wasted; -but the players were satisfied. Katsura, cunningly mixing his “javelin” -throw with his slow, twisting curve held Golden at bay in the second -inning. - -“Rush ’em again boys,” ordered Larry tersely. “Rush ’em. We’ve got to -upset them and get a bunch of runs in one inning. Keep at ’em.” - -In vain they strove to smash the defense of Golden, and the third inning -passed, neither team having been able to gain any advantage. The crowd -was in an uproar and the excitement was growing. In the fourth, Cascade -had two men on bases, and both were lost in striving to take an extra -base on hits. The fifth found them in a deadlock. Cascade had had six -men on first base and each had gone out, four of them striving to steal -bases, and the others in attempting to go from first to third base on -short hits. Golden had only succeeded in reaching first base twice, and -both runners were left standing still. - -The Cascade contingent in the stands was beginning to complain that the -players were throwing away their opportunities. They did not stop to -think that only twice had they succeeded in making two hits in an -inning, and that, had any runner succeeded in advancing an extra base, -each hit would have meant a score. - -To Larry, keenly watching, forgetful of his own troubles and thinking -only of winning the game, it was evident that the rushing tactics of the -players were bothering both Herron, the pitcher and Langham, the -catcher. Herron was worrying as he pitched because he was constantly -compelled to watch the runners, and Langham was overanxious, and leaping -into position to throw with every ball that was pitched. - -Larry, glancing toward the stands, saw Major Lawrence sitting with Paw -Lattiser. His face was purple from cheering and he applauded every play, -good or bad and keeping the spectators near him convulsed with laughter -by his display of ignorance of the game. Not far from them he espied -Helen Baldwin, surrounded by a bevy of St. Gertrude girls. She waved a -cane garnished with Cascade colors. - -“She hides her troubles better than I do,” reflected Larry, watching her -gay chattering with her companions. - -In the sixth inning, with two out, little Atchison reached first base -for Golden. Katsura, after having two strikes on Mortimer, tried his -javelin ball, and the big outfielder, lunging at the first fast ball he -had seen all day, drove it far to the right field corner of the field, -and scored behind Atchison. - -The Cascade throng sat silent, while a sudden tempest seemed lashing -into golden waves the stands in which the University supporters sat. - -“That’s all right,” called Larry. “We’ll get them back and then some. -Keep right at them. They’ll break soon.” - -He glanced toward the stands, where Major Lawrence was protesting -frantically that the hit was foul by ten feet and, as he gazed, he saw -Helen Baldwin standing and waving a streamer of Golden ribbons that she -had snatched from one of her companions. The sight of this display of -disloyalty aroused him to the fighting point. He raced to the coacher’s -lines and led the team, cheering, coaching, pleading with them to get on -first base. Katsura managed to draw a base on balls. On the first ball -pitched, the fleet little brown boy was off far ahead of the pitch, and -he slid safely into second, only to be left. - -Golden, scenting victory, attacked with new vigor; but Katsura, pitching -steadily and cunningly, prevented scoring, and the end of the seventh -saw the Cascade team seemingly beaten 2 to 0. - -“Hit every ball he pitches now, fellows,” cautioned Larry quietly. “Hit -any ball he puts over the plate and run it to the limit. Don’t stop -until the ball is ahead of you.” - -Dalmores was first. He rushed to the bat, smashed the first ball pitched -hard to left field. The fielder picked up the ball quickly and threw -back to the pitcher, over the shortstop’s head. Dalmores turned first -base in his stride and, before the pitcher could get the ball and throw -it back to second, he slid in safely and the Cascade “Waterfall yell” -arose in challenge to the waving of the golden banners. Trumbull hit the -ball viciously, Golden’s shortstop fumbled and he was safe on first, -with Dalmores perched on second. Winans hit a hard-line drive, straight -at Golden’s shortstop, and both base runners were compelled to dive back -to the bags to avert a double play. - -Larry Kirkland came to bat with Cascade cheering wildly. He walked -slowly to the plate, determined to turn the tide. He sent a long foul -down the left field line. On the next ball he stepped forward, hit a -curve as it broke and as the ball flashed over the third baseman’s head, -he sprinted as never before. Dalmores scored and Winans, running at a -terrific pace, reached third. Larry by a desperate slide, reached second -in safety. - -A hit meant the lead for Cascade and a sudden silence fell over the -contending forces. In the crisis, Torney flied out to the first baseman -and the chances seemed lost. Allen, the next batter was a poor hitter. -Larry was desperate. He was ranging up and down, almost to the -shortstop. Suddenly he called out and at that instant Herron, already -goaded and worried by the aggressive base-running attack, whirled and -threw the ball to the second baseman. Even as he threw Winans dashed for -the plate. Larry stood still until he saw the second baseman hurl the -ball back to the catcher to shut off the run. Then he raced for third. -Winans had slid safe to the plate with the tieing run and Larry, -sprinting at top speed, whirled around third, and racing twenty feet -toward the plate, suddenly stopped, dodged as if to return to the bag -and hesitated. Langham saw him and with frantic haste hurled the ball to -the third baseman hoping to trap the runner. As he threw, Larry whirled -again and was in full flight toward the plate. The third baseman, -leaping, dragged down the high-thrown ball and hurled it back to -Langham, low and wild, and as Larry slid across the plate the Cascade -yell poured down from stands and bleachers, and the Golden banners -dropped. - -Golden, in panic and broken by the dazzling, daring base-running attack, -went to pieces. Before the rushing assault ended, two more runners had -crossed the plate, and in the eighth inning Larry led the assault with a -three-base hit that gave Cascade the victory 7 to 2. - -Cascade was the champion. Years of defeat at the hands of Golden -University were avenged. The Cascade crowd swarmed upon the field, even -while the players were cheering their overthrown rivals, and Larry -Kirkland found himself borne aloft and carried around the field on the -shoulders of the students, he found no joy in it. The reaction had set -in and with a rush he recalled his troubles. The victory seemed a hollow -one. - - - - - CHAPTER XXVI - _Facing the World_ - - -The cheers, the applause, the congratulations of friends who pushed and -crowded to shake his hand meant nothing to Larry Kirkland. Fellows he -had known and liked pounded him upon the back and shouted their -congratulations and rejoicings over the victory. To hide his feelings he -forced himself to smile and mutter thanks. To him the victory seemed all -hollow and useless; and his years of struggling to achieve a place on -the team and win his C appeared vain and futile, not worth the effort. -He was facing stern realities now, and the achievements that had seemed -to him all-important dwindled and appeared childish. - -He was dressing hastily, taking little part in the boisterous -celebration in the club house. The players, relieved suddenly from the -strain, half-hysterical with joy over their victory, wrestled, pushed -each other into the big swimming plunge, pounded each other with wet -towels and hurled shoes and bats against the lockers in sheer delirium -of gladness. They hugged each other, while each, trying to lift his -voice above the others, yelled praise of the playing the others had done -during the game. Larry, dressing rapidly at his locker, strove to escape -unnoticed. Over on the opposite side of the row of lockers Harry Baldwin -was dressing in sullen silence. He had not been allowed to have a part -in the great game, and a sense of injustice rankled within him. Mentally -he charged Larry Kirkland with treating him unfairly, although the truth -was, Larry had forgotten him entirely, although he knew Helen Baldwin -and her friends were waiting for Harry to dress. He must see Helen a -moment before Harry joined her to tell her his plan. He threw his coat -over his arm and hastened toward the door, hoping to escape unseen. The -one thing he dreaded above all others was bidding good-bye to the -fellows of the team. He feared if he attempted to say farewell he would -break down. A lump was in his throat. He wondered whether they would -miss him. He had resolved not to remain for commencement, not even to -wait to receive the cherished C. - -“Hey, you Larry!” roared Trumbull. “What are you trying to do? Going to -ditch us for a skirt? Shame on you.” - -The indignant outburst of the big fielder rallied the others and -attracted their attention to Larry’s effort to flee. They seized upon -him and dragged him back. - -“Don’t fellows,” he pleaded. “I haven’t got time to celebrate right -now—important business. I must hurry before she—before”—— - -“SHE,” howled Trumbull. “I knew it! Let’s throw him in the tank and make -him unpresentable.” - -“Not now, fellows,” begged Larry, struggling to get away. “Really, I’ve -got to go.” - -“All right,” vouchsafed his captors unwillingly. “If you will desert us, -we’ll get even. Wait until the dinner to-night. We’ll make you give a -speech and then hiss you.” - -“So long, fellows! Hate to leave you,” Larry managed to say. There was a -tug at his heart-strings, but he tried to smile, and backed out of the -door dodging a shower of shoes and gloves that enabled him to hide -agitation. Only Katsura saw something was wrong. He ran quickly after -Larry, overtook him in the corridor, and laid his hand upon the -captain’s arm. - -“If it is any trouble in which I may help,” he said, “command me. I -would like to help you.” - -“Thank you, Katty,” Larry gulped. “I’ll never forget—never—good-bye.” - -“Good-bye,” said Katsura, shaking his hand firmly. “Is it nothing I can -help?” - -“Nothing,” said Larry thickly, turning away, leaving Katsura gazing -sadly after him. - -He hurried out into the late afternoon sunshine and across the campus to -where a bevy of girls fluttered around a waiting automobile. They waved -the Cascade colors and set up a shrill cheer as he approached—a cheer -that ended in a burst of laughter. Hat in hand, he walked directly to -Helen Baldwin. - -“Oh, Larry!” she said, “it was glorious, it was magnificent—why what is -the matter?” - -“Walk with me a little way,” he said. “I came to tell you.” - -“It is bad news then,” she said petulantly as they drew apart from the -others. “I knew Mr. Lawrence would not consent.” - -“He refused,” said Larry. “I defied him. I told him we would not take a -penny of his money.” - -“How foolish of you,” she said lightly. “You should not have quarreled -with him.” - -“But we could not accept charity,” he protested. “You must stand it -until I can come back and support you.” - -“Come back?” she exclaimed. “Where are you going?” - -“I do not know,” he said. “You must be brave, Helen. I am going away. I -have broken with Major Lawrence. I’ll go away somewhere and”—— - -“That is foolish,” she said. “I was afraid when Major Lawrence came to -me that you had quarreled with him. He didn’t seem a bit angry with me. -He was very polite.” - -“You saw Uncle Jim?” he asked in surprise. “What did he say? What did -you tell him?” - -“I told him it was all a joke”—— - -“A joke?” The boy’s face was ghastly from the shock. - -“Of course, Larry,” she replied impatiently. “Be sensible. You did not -want me to quarrel with him, did you?” - -“But it wasn’t necessary to tell him that,” he protested. - -“I did it to throw him off his guard,” she said lightly. “Then we could -run away and get married. I know he’d forgive us, now that he knows me. -He really seemed to like me, and patted me on the arm and said I was a -sensible girl.” - -“It sounds as if you deceived him,” he answered sulkily. “We cannot -treat him that way—deceive him and come to him as beggars, asking him -to support us.” - -“Be sensible, Larry,” she pouted, drilling holes in the gravel walk with -the end of her stick. “All’s fair in love and war.” - -“I know it is hard on you,” he said. “But it is better that we make our -own way. I can work and support you.” - -“And give up everything?” she asked with open eyes. “Ridiculous!” - -“You will have to wait a year—maybe two years,” the boy said softly. - -“Helen!” Harry Baldwin called sharply from the group near the -automobile. “We are waiting.” - -“Coming in a moment,” she cried back gaily. “Don’t be foolish, Larry,” -she added. - -“You will not forget? You will wait for me?” he asked holding her hand. - -“They are looking, Larry,” she said, drawing her hand away. “Be -sensible.” - -“You will wait?” - -“Coming,” she cried as Harry called again, and then hurriedly. “Yes, -yes—now be sensible and make up with Major Lawrence.” - -She turned away. Larry walking determinedly across the campus, saw her -in the gay group in the tonneau as the car whizzed around the circular -drive. He stood gazing after the retreating car, but she did not turn to -look back. Then he hastened to his rooms. - - * * * * * * - -That night there was a vacant place at the head of the table when the -baseball squad gathered for the Jubilation dinner at which the C’s were -awarded. A rapid search of the campus failed to reveal a trace of the -missing captain. The squad sent to bring him to the dinner found Major -Lawrence alternately storming up and down the dismantled room and -dropping in helpless dejection into a chair. - -During the dinner Larry Kirkland, bravely choking back the lump that -persisted in arising in his throat, sat in a seat of an eastbound -Overland train, looking out into the darkness of the Sierras and trying -to plan his future. - - THE END - - * * * * * - -Transcriber’s Notes: - -A few obvious punctuation and typesetting errors have been corrected -without note. - -[End of _Jimmy Kirkland of the Cascade College Team_ by Hugh S. -Fullerton] - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Jimmy Kirkland of the Cascade College -Team, by Hugh Stuart Fullerton - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK JIMMY KIRKLAND--CASCADE COLLEGE TEAM *** - -***** This file should be named 62989-0.txt or 62989-0.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/6/2/9/8/62989/ - -Produced by Mardi Desjardins & the online Distributed -Proofreaders Canada team at https://www.pgdpcanada.net - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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