Part 21 (1/2)

There was more objecting, but the ruling stood. It meant that Tom could not pitch on the scrub and that Kerr could not catch on the 'varsity, whereat there was much anguish of soul, for the Fairview team was a hard proposition, and it would take the best that was in the Randall lads to beat them. But there was no help for it.

Nor did Tom reproach Langridge for having gotten him into the trouble.

Tom had hoped that his rival would confess and shoulder the blame, in which case, merely having brought the wire on a supposition that it was to be used for a comparatively harmless prank, Tom's case would not have been nearly so bad. But Langridge said nothing. Sid heard somehow of the 'varsity pitcher's part in the trick. Then Tom's chum expressed the belief that Langridge had deliberately acted so as to get Tom into trouble because the rich lad had feared the newcomer might supplant him as pitcher.

But Tom would not hear of this. He took his suspension grimly, silently, and though barred from cla.s.s, he kept up his studies; nor did he neglect his practice of throwing curves, Kerr gladly agreeing to catch for him, for the two were outcasts from the diamond, Tom not even being allowed to play on the scrub.

”But two weeks and three weeks can't last forever,” declared Kerr, ”though I sure would like to see the Fairview game.”

Sat.u.r.day came and with it a feeling of apprehension on the part of the Randall students, for various reports had come to them of the prowess of their rivals. The team made ready to depart for Fairview Inst.i.tute. They were to go by rail to the college that was fifteen miles away. Tom and Kerr, about the only ones in the athletic set who remained at Randall, looked wistfully at their departing comrades.

And then, so suddenly that it seemed like a miracle, their sorrow was turned to joy, for the proctor sought them out on the campus, where the team was being cheered previous to departure, and announced in the case of the two suspended students that they might go to the game, but take no part, even in an emergency. They gladly accepted the terms. Dr.

Churchill's heart had softened at the last moment.

”Girls, girls, girls!” exclaimed Tom as he walked out on the field with Sid and Phil and saw the grandstand at Fairview ma.s.sed with gay femininity. ”And all pretty too!”

”Of course,” agreed Sid. ”What did I tell you? But what interests me more is the other team. Jove! but they are quick,” for the Fairview students were batting and catching in a manner to provoke admiration.

There were shrill cries of encouragement from the girls and more hoa.r.s.e shouts from the male students, for at Fairview the s.e.xes were about evenly divided, both boys and girls taking equal interest in sports.

Coach Lighton shook his head dubiously as he saw the Randall boys stream out on the diamond for practice.

”I hope Cross will appreciate the seriousness of the matter,” he said.

”He can't begin to touch Kerr at catching, yet he's the best one we can put in.”

”Yes,” agreed Kindlings. ”But maybe we'll make out. I hope so.”

Kerr was as nervous as a girl at not being able to play. He paced up and down the coaching lines until Kindlings, fearing he would disconcert the team, sent him to the grandstand, where Tom had already gone.

Well, that game with Fairview is ancient history now. Sufficient to say that after a good beginning, when they gathered three runs the first inning and held their opponents down to a goose egg, princ.i.p.ally through the pitching of Langridge, the Randall lads went to pieces and the Fairviews ran away with them. Langridge was finally fairly batted out of the box and the final score was 16 to 4 in favor of the co-educational inst.i.tution.

It was a sorely disappointed nine that filed off the diamond, nor could the generous cheers of the victors apply any balm to the wounds.

”Such pitching!” grumbled Phil as he was in the dressing-room. ”That lost us the game as much as anything else. Langridge didn't seem to be in form.”

The pitcher overheard him.

”I say, Clinton,” he called out sneeringly, ”you mind your own affairs.

I train as good as you, and I didn't miss a fly that came right into my hands,” for Phil had thus offended, letting in a run.

”I've seen you pitch better,” spoke Sid quietly, for he and several others were ”sore” at Langridge, who plainly enough had not been in his usual good form.

”Well, maybe. I can't be on edge all the while,” and the pitcher laughed nervously.

Tom, in the grandstand, was making his way down amid a bevy of pretty girls and wis.h.i.+ng he had some one who would introduce him to them when he heard a voice call his name. He turned quickly and saw Madge Tyler in a bewilderingly pretty dress, her hair framing her face in a most bewitching manner, while her eyes were bright with the joy of youth and the fire thereof.

”Too bad, wasn't it?” she asked sympathetically, holding out her hand to Tom. ”I was so sorry for Mr. Langridge!”

”Why Langridge?” asked Tom quickly.