Part 17 (2/2)

”Of course not,” she replied in a hard, flat voice. ”Not too busy for you boys, anyway. Come along with us and we'll make this a big afternoon.”

”Sure,” Carl agreed.

”Sh-shure,” Hugh stuttered. He reached forward to take the arm of the girl who had spoken, but at the same instant some one caught him by the wrist and held him still.

Harry Slade, the star football player and this year's captain, happened to be in Hastings; he was, in fact, seeking these very girls. He had intended to pa.s.s on when he saw two men with them, but as soon as he recognized Hugh he paused and then impulsively strode forward.

”Here, Carver,” he said sharply. ”What are you doing?”

”None--none of you da-d.a.m.n business,” Hugh replied angrily, trying to shake his wrist free. ”Leggo of me or--or I'll--I'll--”

”You won't do anything,” 'Slade interrupted. ”You're going home with me.”

”Who in h.e.l.l are you?” one of the girls asked viciously. ”Mind your own d.a.m.n business.”

”You mind yours, sister, or you'll get into a peck of trouble. This kid's going with me--and don't forget that. Come on, Carver.”

Hugh was still vainly trying to twist his wrist free and was muttering, ”Leggo, leggo o' me.”

Slade jerked him across the sidewalk. Carl followed expostulating. ”Get the h.e.l.l out of here, Peters,” Slade said angrily, ”or I'll knock your fool block off. You chase off with those rats if you want to, but you leave Carver with me if you know what's good for you.” He shoved Carl away, and Carl was sober enough to know that Slade meant what he said.

Each girl took him by an arm, and he walked off down the street between them, almost instantly forgetting Hugh.

Fortunately the street was nearly deserted, and no one had witnessed the little drama. Hugh began to sob drunkenly. Slade grasped his shoulders and shook him until his head waggled. ”Now, shut up!” Slade commanded sharply. He took Hugh by the arm and started down the street with him, Hugh still muttering, ”Leggo, leggo o' me.”

Slade walked him the whole five miles back to Haydensville, and before they were half way home Hugh's head began to clear. For a time he felt a little sick, but the nausea pa.s.sed, and when they reached the campus he was quite sober. Not a word was spoken until Hugh unlocked the door of Surrey 19. Then Slade said: ”Go wash your face and head in cold water.

Souse yourself good and then come back; I want to have a talk with you.”

Hugh obeyed orders, but with poor grace. He was angry and confused, angry because his liberty had been interfered with, and confused because Slade had never paid more than pa.s.sing attention to him--and for a year and a half Slade had been his G.o.d.

Slade was one of those superb natural athletes who make history for many colleges. He was big, powerfully built, and moved as easily as a dancer. His features were good enough, but his brown eyes were dull and his jaw heavy rather than strong. Hugh had often heard that Slade dissipated violently, but he did not believe the rumors; he was positive that Slade could not be the athlete he was if he dissipated. He had been thrilled every time Slade had spoken to him--the big man of the college, the one Sanford man who had ever made All American, as Slade had this year.

When he returned to his room from the bath-room, Slade was sitting in a big chair smoking a cigarette. Hugh walked into his bedroom, combed his dripping hair, and then came into the study, still angry but feeling a little sheepish and very curious.

”Well, what is it?” he demanded, sitting down.

”Do you know who those women were?”

”No. Who are they?”

”They're Bessie Haines and Emma Gleeson; at least, that's what they call themselves, and they're rotten bags.”

Hugh had a little quiver of fright, but he felt that he ought to defend himself.

”Well, what of it?” he asked sullenly. ”I don't see as you had any right to pull me away. You never paid any attention before to me. Why this sudden interest? How come you're so anxious to guard my purity?”

Slade was embarra.s.sed. He threw his cigarette into the fireplace and immediately lighted another one. Then he looked at his shoes and muttered, ”I'm a pretty bad egg myself.”

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