Part 20 (2/2)

”I think what we have left to do won't take very long. I hardly think that it is necessary for me to reply to the accusations brought by the gentleman who has just left us.”

”No, let's hear no more of it,” said Preston. ”I propose that we reply to Robinson to-night and have an end of the business. To-morrow we'll have plenty to think of without this,” he added grimly.

The reply was written and forwarded the next day to Robinson, and the following announcement was given out at Erskine:

The Athletic Committee has decided that Cowan is not eligible to represent the college in the football game with Robinson, and he has been withdrawn. A protest was received from the Robinson athletic authorities yesterday afternoon, and an investigation was at once made with the result stated. The loss of Cowan will greatly weaken the team, it is feared, but that fact has not been allowed to influence the committee.

The decision is heartily concurred in by the coaches, the captain, and all officials, and, being in line with Erskine's policy of purity in athletics, should have the instant indors.e.m.e.nt of the student body.

H.W. NAST, _Chairman_.

The announcement, as was natural, brought consternation, and for several days the football situation was steeped in gloom. Witter and Hurst were seized upon by the coaches and drilled in the tactics of right-guard. As Foster had said, Witter, while he was a good player, was light for the position. Hurst, against whom no objection could be brought on the ground of weight, lacked experience. In the end Witter proved first choice, and Hurst was comforted with the knowledge that he was practically certain to get into the game before the whistle sounded for the last time.

Meanwhile Artmouth came and saw and conquered to the tune of 6-0, profiting by the news of Cowan's withdrawal and piling their backs through Witter, Hurst, and Brown, all of whom took turns at right-guard.

The game was not encouraging from the Erskine point of view, and the gloom deepened. Foster declared that it was so thick during the last half of the contest that he couldn't see the backs. Neil saw the game from the bench, and Paul, once more at left-half, played an excellent game; but, try as he might, could not outdo Gillam. When it was over Neil declared the honors even, but Paul took a less optimistic view and would not be comforted.

All the evening, save for a short period when he went upstairs to sympathize with Cowan, he bewailed his fate into Neil's ears. The latter tried his best to comfort him, and predicted that on Monday Paul would find himself in Gillam's place. But he scarcely believed it himself, and so his prophecies were not convincing.

”What's the good of being decent?” asked Paul dolefully. ”I wish I'd gone to Robinson.”

”No, you don't,” said Neil. ”You'd rather sit on the side-line at Erskine than play with a lot of hired sluggers.”

”Much you know about it,” Paul growled. ”If I don't get into the Robinson game I'll--I'll leave college.”

”But what good would that do?” asked Neil.

”I'd go somewhere where I'd stand a show. I'd go to Robinson or one of the smaller places.”

”I don't think you'd do anything as idiotic as that,” answered Neil.

”It'll be hard luck if you miss the big game, but you've got three more years yet. What's one? You're certain to stand the best kind of a show next year.”

”I don't see how. Gillam doesn't graduate until 1903.”

”But you can beat him out for the place next year. All you need is more experience. Gillam's been at it two years here. Besides, it would be silly to leave a good college just because you couldn't play on the football team. Don't be like Cowan and think football's the only thing a chap comes here for.”

”They've used him pretty shabbily,” said Paul.

”That's what Cowan thinks. I don't see how they could do anything else.”

”He's awfully cut up. I'm downright sorry for him. He says he's going to pack up and leave.”

”And he's been trying to make you do the same, eh?” asked Neil. ”Well, you tell him I'm very well satisfied with Erskine and haven't the least desire to change.”

”You?” asked Paul.

”Certainly. We hang together, don't we?”

Paul grinned.

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