``Shureitlooksasifshe’ssignedanewmanager，’’saidPat，hisshrewdeyestwinkling。
　　ThesoftglowinMadge’scheeksdeepenedintotell—talescarlet;Billieresembledaschoolboystrickeninguilt。
　　``Aha！sothat’sit？’’queriedheruncle。
　　``Ellston，’’saidPat。``Billie’shome—rundrivetodayrecalledhisnoticean’ifIdon’tmissguessitwonhimanothergame——thebestgameinlife。’’
　　``ByGeorge！’’exclaimedMr。Ellston。``IwasafraiditwasCarroll！’’
　　HeledMadgeawayandPatfollowedwithBillie。
　　``Shure，itwasgoodtoseeyoubrace，Billie，’’
　　saidthemanager，withakindlyhandontheyoungman’sarm。``I’mtickledtodeath。Thattendays’noticedoesn’tgo。See？I’vehadtoshakeuptheteambutyourjobisgood。IreleasedMcReadyoutrightan’tradedCarrolltoDenverforacatcherandafielder。Someofthedirectorsholleredmurder，an’Iexpectthefanswillroar，butI’mrunningthisteam，I’llhaveharmonyamongmyplayers。Carrollisagreatcatcher，buthe’saknocker。’’
　　THEWINNINGBALL
　　OnedayinJulyourRochesterclub，leaderintheEasternLeague，hadreturnedtothehotelafterwinningadouble—headerfromtheSyracuseclub。Forsomeoccultreasontherewastobealay—offnextdayandthenonthefollowinganotherdouble—header。Thesedouble—headerswehatednexttoexhibitiongames。Stillalay—offfortwenty—fourhours，atthatstageoftherace，wasaGodsend，andwereceivedthenewswithexclamationsofpleasure。
　　Afterdinnerwewereallsittingandsmokingcomfortablyinfrontofthehotelwhenourmanager，Merritt，camehurriedlyoutofthelobby。
　　Itstruckmethatheappearedalittleflustered。
　　``Say，youfellars，’’hesaidbrusquely。``Packyoursuitsandbereadyforthebusatseven—
　　thirty。’’
　　Foramomenttherewasablank，ominoussilence，whileweassimilatedthemeaningofhistersespeech。
　　``I’vegotagoodthingonfortomorrow，’’
　　continuedthemanager。``Sixtypercentgatereceiptsifwewin。ThatGuelphteamishotstuff，though。’’
　　``Guelph！’’exclaimedsomeoftheplayerssuspiciously。``Where’sGuelph？’’
　　``It’sinCanada。We’lltakethenightexpressan’gettheretomorrowintimeforthegame。
　　An’we’llhevtohustle。’’
　　UponMerrittthenrainedamultiplicityofexcuses。Gillingerwasnotwell，andoughttohavethatday’srest。Snead’seyeswouldprofitbyalay—off。DeerfootBrowningwasleadingtheleagueinbaserunning，andashislegswereallbruisedandscrapedbysliding，amanagerwhowasnotanidiotwouldhaveacareofsuchvaluablerunmakersforhisteam。Lakehad``Charley—
　　horse。’’Hathaway’sarmwassore。Bane’sstomachthreatenedgastritis。SpikeDoran’sfingerneededachancetoheal。Iwasstale，andtheotherplayers，threepitchers，sworetheirarmsshouldbeinthehospital。
　　``Cutitout！’’saidMerritt，gettingexasperated。
　　``You’dalllaydownonme——now，wouldn’tyou？Well，listentothis：McDougalpitchedtoday;
　　hedoesn’tgo。BlakeworksFriday，hedoesn’tgo。Buttherestofyoupuffed—up，high—
　　salariedstiffspackyourgripsquick。See？It’llcostanyfreshfellarfiftyformissin’thetrain。’’
　　SothatwashowelevenoftheRochesterteamfoundthemselvesmoodilyboardingaPullmanenrouteforBuffaloandCanada。Wewenttobedearlyandaroselate。
　　GuelphlaysomewhereintheinteriorofCanada，andwedidnotexpecttogetthereuntil1
　　o’clock。
　　Asitturnedout，thetrainwaslate;wehadtodresshurriedlyinthesmokingroom，packourcitizenclothesinourgripsandleavethetraintogodirecttotheballgroundswithouttimeforlunch。
　　Itwasatired，dusty—eyed，peevishcrowdofballplayersthatclimbedintoawaitingbusatthelittlestation。
　　WehadneverheardofGuelph;wedidnotcareanythingaboutRubebaseballteams。Baseballwasnotplaytous;itwasthehardestkindofwork，andofallthingsanexhibitiongamewasanabomination。
　　TheGuelphplayers，strappinglads，metuswitheverymarkofrespectandcourtesyandescortedustothefieldwithabrassbandthatwasloudinwelcome，ifnotharmoniousintune。
　　Some500menandboystrottedcuriouslyalongwithus，foralltheworldasifthebuswereacircusparadecagefilledwithstripedtigers。
　　Whatarustic，motleycrowdmassedaboutinandonthatballground。Theremusthavebeen10，000。
　　Theaudiencewasstrangetous。TheIndians，half—breeds，French—Canadians;thehuge，hulking，beardedfarmersortraders，ortrappers，whatevertheywere，werenewtoourbaseballexperience。
　　Theplayersthemselves，however，earnedthelargestshareofourattention。BythetimetheyhadpracticedafewmomentswelookedatMerrittandMerrittlookedatus。
　　Theselong，powerful，big—handedladsevidentlydidnotknowthedifferencebetweenlacrosseandbaseball;buttheywerequickascatsontheirfeet，andtheyscoopeduptheballinawaywonderfultosee。Andthrow！——itmadeaprofessional’sheartswelljusttoseethemlinetheballacrossthediamond。
　　``Lord！whatwhipstheseladshave！’’exclaimedMerritt。``Hopewe’renotupagainstit。
　　Ifthisteamshouldbeatuswewouldn’tdrawahandfulatToronto。Wecan’taffordtobebeaten。
　　Jumparoundandcinchthegamequick。Ifwegetinabadplace，I’llsneakinthe`rabbit。’’’
　　The``rabbit’’wasabaseballsimilarinappearancetotheordinaryleagueball;underitshorse—
　　hidecover，however，itwasremarkablydifferent。
　　Aningeniousfan，afriendofMerritt，hadremovedthecoversfromanumberofleagueballsandsewedthemonrubberballsofhisownmaking。
　　Theycouldnotbedistinguishedfromtheregulararticle，notevenbyanexperiencedprofessional——untiltheywerehit。Then！Thefactthataftereverybounceoneoftheserubberballsboundedswifterandhigherhadgivenitthenameofthe``rabbit。’’
　　Manyagamehadthe``rabbit’’wonforusatcriticalstages。Ofcourseitwasagainsttherulesoftheleague，andofcourseeveryplayerintheleagueknewaboutit;still，whenitwasjudiciouslyandcleverlybroughtintoaclosegame，the``rabbit’’
　　wouldbeinplay，andveryprobablyoverthefence，beforetheopposingcaptaincouldlearnofit，letaloneappealtotheumpire。
　　``Fellars，lookatthatguywho’sgoin’topitch，’’
　　suddenlyspokeuponeoftheteam。
　　Manyaswerethecountryplayerswhomweseasonedandtraveledprofessionalshadrunacross，thistwirleroutclassedthemforremarkableappearance。Moreover，whatputanentirelydifferenttingetoourmomentaryhumorwasthediscoverythathewasaswildasaMarchhareandcouldthrowaballsofastthatitresembledapeashotfromaboy’sairgun。
　　Deerfootledourbattinglist，andafterthefirstpitchedball，whichhedidnotsee，andthesecond，whichtickedhisshirtasitshotpast，heturnedtouswithanexpressionthatmadeusgroaninwardly。
　　WhenDeerfootlookedthatwayitmeantthepitcherwasdangerous。Deerfootmadenoefforttoswingatthenextball，andwaspromptlycalledoutonstrikes。
　　Iwassecondatbat，andwentupwithsomereluctance。Ihappenedtobeleadingtheleagueinbothlongdistanceandsafehitting，andIdotedonspeed。Buthavingstoppedmanymeanin—
　　shootswithvariouspartsofmyanatomy，Iwasrathersqueamishaboutfacingbackwoodsyapswhohadnocontrol。
　　WhenIhadwatchedacoupleofhispitches，whichtheumpirecalledstrikes，IgavehimcreditforasmuchspeedasRusie。Theseballswereasstraightasastring，singularlywithoutcurve，jump，orvariationofanykind。Ilinedthenextonesohardattheshortstopthatitcrackedlikeapistolasitstruckhishandsandwhirledhimhalfoffhisfeet。Stillhehungtotheballandgaveopportunityforthefirstcrashofapplause。
　　``Boys，he’satriflewild，’’Isaidtomyteam—
　　mates，``buthehasthemostbeautifulballtohityoueversaw。Idon’tbelieveheusesacurve，andwhenweoncetimethatspeedwe’llkillit。’’
　　Nextinning，afteroldmanHathawayhadbaffledtheCanadianswithhiswide，tantalizingcurves，mypredictionsbegantobeverified。Sneadrappedonehighandfartodeeprightfield。Toourinfinitesurprise，however，therightfielderranwithfleetnessthatmadeourownDeerfootseemslow，andhegotundertheballandcaughtit。
　　Doransentasizzlinggrasscutterdowntowardleft。Thelankythirdbasemandartedover，diveddown，and，comingupwiththeball，exhibitedthepowerofathrowingarmthatmadeasallgreenwithenvy。
　　Then，whenthecatcherchasedafoulflysomewherebackinthecrowdandcaughtit，webegantotakenotice。
　　``Luckystabs！’’saidMerrittcheerfully。``Theycan’tkeepthatup。We’lldrivehimtothewoodsnexttime。’’
　　Buttheydidkeepitup;moreover，theybecamemorebrilliantasthegameprogressed。WhatwithHathaway’sheadypitchingwesoondisposedofthemwhenatthebat;ourturns，however，owingtothewonderfulfieldingofthesebackwoodsmen，werealsofruitless。
　　Merritt，withhismindeveronthesliceofgatemoneycomingifwewon，begantofidgetandfumeandfindfault。
　　``You’reaswelllotofchampions，now，ain’tyou？’’heobservedbetweeninnings。
　　Allbaseballplayersliketobat，andnothingpleasesthemsomuchasbasehits;ontheotherhand，nothingisquitesopainfulastosendouthardlinersonlytoseethemcaught。Anditseemedasifeverymanonourteamconnectedwiththatlankytwirler’sfasthighballandhitwiththeforcethatmadethebatspringonlytohaveoneoftheserubesgethisbighandsuponit。
　　Consideringthatwewereinnoangelicframeofmindbeforethegamestarted，andinviewofMerritt’spersistentlyincreasingillhumor，thisfailureofourstohitaballsafelygraduallyworkedusintoakindoffrenzy。Fromindifferencewepassedtodetermination，andfromthattosheerpassionatepurpose。
　　Luckappearedtobeturninginthesixthinning。
　　Withoneout，Lakehitabeautytoright。Doranbeataninfieldgrounderandreachedfirst。Hathawaystruckout。
　　WithBrowningupandmenext，thesituationlookedratherprecariousfortheCanadians。
　　``Say，Deerfoot，’’whisperedMerritt，``dumponedownthethird—baseline。He’splayin’deep。
　　It’sapipe。Thenthebaseswillbefullan’Reddy’llcleanup。’’
　　InastagelikethatBrowningwasamanabsolutelytodependupon。Heplacedaslowbuntinthegrasstowardthirdandsprintedforfirst。
　　Thethirdbasemanfieldedtheball，but，beingconfused，didnotknowwheretothrowit。
　　``Stickitinyourbasket，’’yelledMerritt，inadelightthatshowedhowhardhewaspullingforthegatemoney，andhisbeamingsmileasheturnedtomewasinspiring。``Now，Reddy，it’suptoyou！I’mnotworryingaboutwhat’shappenedsofar。Iknow，withyouatbatinapinch，it’salloff！’’
　　Merritt’scomplimentwaspleasing，butitdidnotaugmentmypurpose，forthatalreadyhadreachedthehighestmark。Loveofhitting，ifnootherthing，gavemethethrillingfiretoarisetotheopportunity。Selectingmylightbat，Iwentupandfacedtherustictwirlerandsoftlysaidthingstohim。
　　Hedeliveredtheball，andIcouldhaveyelledaloud，sofast，sostraight，sotrueitspedtowardme。ThenIhititharderthanIhadeverhitaballinmylife。Thebatsprung，asifitwerewhalebone。Andtheballtookabulletcoursebetweencenterandleft。SobeautifulahitwasitthatIwatchedasIran。
　　OutofthetailofmyeyeIsawthecenterfielderrunning。WhenIroundedfirstbaseIgotagoodlookatthisfielder，andthoughIhadseenthegreatestoutfieldersthegameeverproduced，Ineversawonethatcoveredgroundsoswiftlyashe。
　　Ontheballsoared，andbegantodrop;onthefieldersped，andbegantodisappearoveralittlehillbackofhisposition。Thenhereachedupwithalongarmandmarvelouslycaughttheballinonehand。HewentoutofsightasItouchedsecondbase，andtheheterogeneouscrowdknewaboutagreatplaytomakemorenoisethanaherdofchargingbuffalo。
　　Inthenexthalfinningouropponents，bycleandrives，scoredtworunsandweinourturnagainwentoutignominiously。Whenthefirstoftheeighthcameweweredesperateandclamoredforthe``rabbit。’’
　　``I’vesneakeditin，’’saidMerritt，withalowvoice。``Gotittotheumpireonthelastpassedball。See，thepitcher’sgotitnow。Boys，it’salloffbutthefireworks！Now，breakloose！’’
　　Apeculiarityaboutthe``rabbit’’wasthefactthatthoughitfeltaslightastheregulationleagueballitcouldnotbethrownwiththesamespeedandtocurveitwasanimpossibility。
　　Banehitthefirstdeliveryfromourhoosierstumblingblock。Theballstruckthegroundandbegantoboundtowardshort。Witheverybounditwentswifter，longerandhigher，anditbouncedclearovertheshortstop’shead。Lakechoppedoneinfrontoftheplate，anditreboundedfromthegroundstraightupsohighthatbothrunnersweresafebeforeitcamedown。
　　Doranhittothepitcher。Theballcaromedhisleg，scootedfiendishlyatthesecondbaseman，andtriedtorunupalloverhimlikeatamesquirrel。Basesfull！
　　Hathawaygotasafeflyovertheinfieldandtworunstallied。Thepitcher，inspiteofthehelpoftheumpire，couldnotlocatetheplateforBalknap，andgavehimabaseonballs。Basesfullagain！
　　Deerfootslammedahotlinerstraightatthesecondbaseman，which，strikingsquarelyinhishands，recoiledassharplyasifithadstruckawall。Doranscored，andstillthebaseswerefilled。
　　Thelaboringpitcherbegantogetrattled;hecouldnotfindhisusualspeed;heknewit，butevidentlycouldnotaccountforit。
　　WhenIcametobat，indicationswerenotwantingthattheCanadianteamwouldsoonbeupintheair。Thelongpitcherdeliveredthe``rabbit，’’
　　andgotitlowdownbymyknees，whichwasanunfortunatethingforhim。Iswungonthatone，andtrottedroundthebasesbehindtherunnerswhilethecenterandleftfielderschasedtheball。
　　Gillingerweighednearlytwohundredpounds，andhegotallhisweightunderthe``rabbit。’’Itwentsohighthatwecouldscarcelyseeit。Alltheinfieldersrushedin，andafterstaggeringaround，withheadsbentback，oneofthem，theshortstop，managedtogetunderit。The``rabbit’’
　　boundedfortyfeetoutofhishands！
　　WhenSnead’sgroundernearlytorethethirdbaseman’slegoff;whenBane’shitprovedaselusiveasaflittingshadow;whenLake’slinerknockedthepitcherflat，andDoran’sflyleapedhighoutofthecenterfielder’sglove——thenthoseearnest，simple，countryballplayersrealizedsomethingwaswrong。Buttheyimagineditwasinthemselves，andafterashortspellofrattles，theysteadiedupandtriedharderthanever。Themotionstheywentthroughtryingtostopthatjumpingjackrabbitofaballwereludicrousintheextreme。
　　Finally，throughafoul，ashortfly，andascratchhittofirst，theyretiredthesideandwewentintothefieldwiththescore14to2inourfavor。
　　ButMerritthadnotfounditpossibletogetthe``rabbit’’outofplay！
　　Wespentafatefullyanxiousfewmomentssquabblingwiththeumpireandcaptainoverthe``rabbit。’’Attheideaoflettingthoseherculeanrailsplittershaveachancetohittherubberballwefeltourbloodruncold。
　　``Butthisballhasaripinit，’’blusteredGillinger。Heliedatrociously。Amicroscopecouldnothavediscoveredasmuchasascratchinthatsmoothleather。
　　``Sureithas，’’supplementedMerritt，inthesuavetonesofastagevillain。``We’reusedtoplayingwithgoodballs。’’
　　``Whydidyouringthisoneinonus？’’askedthecaptain。``Weneverthrewoutthisball。Wewantachancetohitit。’’
　　Thatwasjusttheonethingwedidnotwantthemtohave。Butfateplayedagainstus。
　　``Getuponyourtoes，nowan’dust，’’saidMerritt。``Takeyourmedicine，youlazysit—in—front—
　　of—the—hotelstiffs！Thinkofpayday！’’
　　NotimprobablyweallentertainedtheidenticalthoughtthatoldmanHathawaywasthelastpitcherunderthesuncalculatedtobeeffectivewiththe``rabbit。’’Heneverreliedonspeed;
　　infact，Merrittoftenscornfullyaccusedhimofbeingunabletobreakapaneofglass;heusedprincipallywhatwecalledfloatersandachangeofpace。Bothstyleswereabsolutelyimpracticalwiththe``rabbit。’’
　　``It’scomin’tous，allright，allright！’’yelledDeerfoottome，acrosstheinterveninggrass。I
　　wasoftheopinionthatitdidnottakeanygeniustomakeDeerfoot’sominousprophecy。
　　OldmanHathawaygazedatMerrittonthebenchasifhewishedthemanagercouldhearwhathewascallinghimandthenathisfellow—
　　playersasifbothtowarnandbeseechthem。
　　Thenhepitchedthe``rabbit。’’
　　Crack！
　　ThebiglumberingCanadianrappedtheballatCrabBane。Ididnotseeit，becauseitwentsofast，butIgatheredfromCrab’sactionsthatitmusthavebeenhitinhisdirection。Atanyrate，oneofhislegsfloppedoutsidewiseasifithadbeensuddenlyjerked，andhefellinaheap。
　　Theball，averitable``rabbit’’initswildjumps，headedonforDeerfoot，whocontrivedtostopitwithhisknees。
　　Thenextbatterresembledthefirstone，andthehitlikewise，onlyitleapedwickedlyatDoranandwentthroughhishandsasiftheyhadbeenpaper。ThethirdmanbattedupaveryhighflytoGillinger。Heclutchedatitwithhishugeshovelhands，buthecouldnotholdit。Thewayhepouncedupontheball，dugitoutofthegrass，andhurleditatHathaway，showedhisanger。
　　ObviouslyHathawayhadtostopthethrow，forhecouldnotgetoutoftheroad，andhespoketohiscaptaininwhatIknewwerenocomplimentaryterms。
　　Thusbeganretribution。Thosehuskyladscontinuedtohammerthe``rabbit’’attheinfieldersandasitbouncedharderateverybouncesotheybattedharderateverybat。
　　Anothersingularfeatureaboutthe``rabbit’’
　　wastheseemingimpossibilityforprofessionalstoholdit。Theirfamiliaritywithit，theirunderstandingofitsvagariesandinconsistencies，theirmortaldreadmadefieldingitamuchmoredifficultthingthanfortheiropponents。
　　Bywayofvariety，thelambastingCanadianscommencedtolambastafewoverthehillsandfaraway，whichchasedDeerfootandmeuntilourtongueslolledout。
　　Everytimearuncrossedtheplatethemotleycrowdhowled，roared，dancedandthrewuptheirhats。Themembersofthebattingteamprancedupanddownthesidelines，givingasplendidimitationofcannibalscelebratingtheoccasionofafeast。
　　OnceSneadstoopeddowntotrapthe``rabbit，’’
　　anditslippedthroughhislegs，forwhichhiscomradesjeeredhimunmercifully。Thenabrawnybattersentupatremendouslyhighflybetweenshortandthird。
　　``Youtakeit！’’yelledGillingertoBane。
　　``Youtakeit！’’repliedtheCrab，andactuallywalkedbackward。Thatballwentamilehigh。
　　Theskywashazy，gray，themostperplexinginwhichtojudgeaflyball。Anordinaryflygavetroubleenoughinthegauging。
　　Gillingerwanderedaroundundertheballforwhatseemedanage。Itdroppedasswiftlyasarocketshootsupward。Gillingerwentforwardinacircle，thensidestepped，andthrewuphisbroadhands。Hemisjudgedtheball，andithithimfairlyontheheadandbouncedalmosttowhereDoranstoodatsecond。
　　Ourbigcaptainwilted。Timewascalled。ButGillinger，whenhecameto，refusedtoleavethegameandwentbacktothirdwithalumponhisheadaslargeasagooseegg。
　　Everyoneofhisteammateswassorry，yeteveryonehowledinglee。Tobehitontheheadwastheunpardonablesinforaprofessional。
　　OldmanHathawaygraduallylostwhatlittlespeedhehad，andwithithisnerve。Everytimehepitchedthe``rabbit’’hedodged。Thatwasaboutthefunniestandstrangestthingeverseenonaballfield。Yetithadanelementoftragedy。
　　Hathaway’sexpertcontortionssavedhisheadandbodyondiversoccasions，butpresentlyalowbounderglancedoffthegrassandmanifestedanaffinityforhisleg。
　　Weallknewfromthecrackandthewaythepitcherwentdownthatthe``rabbit’’hadputhimoutofthegame。Theumpirecalledtime，andMerrittcamerunningonthediamond。
　　``Hardluck，oldman，’’saidthemanager。
　　``That’llmakeagreenandyellowspotallright。
　　Boys，we’restilltworunstothegood。There’soneout，an’wecanwinyet。Deerfoot，you’reasbadlycrippledasHathaway。Thebenchforyours。Hookerwillgotocenter，an’I’llpitch。’’
　　Merritt’sideadidnotstrikeusasabadone。
　　Hecouldpitch，andhealwayskepthisarminprimecondition。Wewelcomedhimintothefrayfortworeasons——becausehemightwinthegame，andbecausehemightbeovertakenbythebaseballNemesis。
　　WhileMerrittwasputtingonHathaway’sbaseballshoes，someofusendeavoredtogetthe``rabbit’’
　　awayfromtheumpire，buthewastoowise。
　　Merrittreceivedtheinnocent—lookingballwithalookofmingleddisgustandfear，andhesummarilyorderedustoourpositions。
　　Notfarhadwegone，however，whenwewereelectrifiedbytheumpire’ssharpwords：
　　``Naw！Naw，youdon’t。IsawyouchangetheballIgaveyouferoneinyourpocket！Naw！
　　Youdon’tcomeennyofyourAmericandodgesonus！Gimmeethetball，an’youusetheother，orI’llstopthegame。’’
　　WherewiththeshrewdumpiretooktheballfromMerritt’shandandfishedthe``rabbit’’fromhispocket。Ourthwartedmanagerstutteredhiswrath。``Y—yoube—be—wh—whiskeredy—yap！I’llg—g—give————’’
　　Whatdirethreathehadinmindnevermaterialized，forhebecamespeechless。Heglowereduponthecoollittleumpire，andthenturnedgrandlytowardtheplate。
　　Itmayhavebeenimagination，yetImadesureMerrittseemedtoshrinkandgrowsmallerbeforehepitchedaball。Foronethingtheplatewasuphillfromthepitcher’sbox，andthenthefellowstandingthereloomeduplikeahillandswungabatthatwouldhaveservedasawagontongue。
　　NowonderMerrittevincednervousness。Presentlyhewhirledanddeliveredtheball。
　　Bing！
　　Adarkstreakandawhitepuffofdustoversecondbaseshowedhowsafethathitwas。Bydintofmanfulbodywork，Hookercontrivedtostopthe``rabbit’’inmid—center。Anotherrunscored。Humannaturewasproofagainstthistemptation，andMerritt’splayerstenderedhimmanifoldcongratulationsanddissertations。
　　``Grand，youoldskinflint，grand！’’
　　``Therewasatwo—dollarbillstickin’onthethit。Whydidn’tyoustopit？’’
　　``Say，Merritt，whatlittlebrainsyou’vegotwillpresentlyberidin’onthe`rabbit。’’’
　　``Youwillchaseuptheseexhibitiongames！’’
　　``Takeyourmedicinenow。Ha！Ha！Ha！’’
　　Afterthesemercilesstaunts，andparticularlyafterthenextslashinghitthattiedthescore，Merrittlookedappreciablysmallerandhumbler。
　　Hethrewupanotherball，andactuallyshiedasitnearedtheplate。
　　Thegiantwhowaswaitingtoslugitevidentlythoughtbetterofhiseagernessasfarasthatpitchwasconcerned，forheletitgoby。
　　Merrittgotthenextballhigher。Withamightyswing，thebatsmanhitaterrificlinerrightatthepitcher。
　　Quickaslightning，Merrittwheeled，andtheballstruckhimwiththesoundoftwoboardsbroughtheavilytogetherwithasmack。
　　Merrittdidnotfall;hemeltedtothegroundandwrithedwhiletherunnersscoredwithmoretalliesthantheyneededtowin。
　　Whatdidwecare！Justicehadbeendoneus，andwewereunutterablyhappy。CrabeBanestoodonhishead;Gillingerbeganawardance;
　　oldmanHathawayhobbledouttothesidelinesandwhoopedlikeanIndian;Sneadrolledoverandoverinthegrass。Allofusbrokeoutintotypicalexpressionsofbaseballfrenzy，andindividualonesillustratingourparticularmoods。
　　Merrittgotupandmadeadivefortheball。
　　Withfacepositivelyflamingheflungitfarbeyondthemerrycrowd，overintoaswamp。Thenhelimpedforthebench。Whichthrowendedthemostmemorablegameeverrecordedtothecreditofthe``rabbit。’’
　　FALSECOLORS
　　``FatehasdecreedmorebadluckforSalisburyinSaturday’sgamewithBellville。Ithasleakedoutthatourrivalswillcomeoverstrengthenedbya`ringer，’nolessthanYale’sstarpitcher，Wayne。WesawhimshutPrincetonoutinJune，inthelastgameofthecollegeyear，andwearenotoptimisticinourpredictionsastowhatSalisburycandowithhim。ThisappearsaratherunfairprocedureforBellvilletoresortto。Whycouldn’ttheycomeoverwiththeirregularteam？
　　Theyhavewonagame，andsohavewe;bothgameswerecloseandbrilliant;thedecidinggamehasrousedunusualinterest。WeareinclinedtoresentBellville’smethodsasunsportsmanlike。
　　AllourplayerscandoistogointothisgameonSaturdayandtrythehardertowin。’’
　　WaynelaiddowntheSalisburyGazette，withalittlelaughofamusement，yetfeelingavague，disquietingsenseofsomethingakintoregret。
　　``Prettydecentofthatchapnottoroastme，’’
　　hesoliloquized。
　　SomewherehehadheardthatSalisburymaintainedanunsalariedteam。ItwasnotoriousamongcollegeathletesthattheBellvilleClubpaidfortheservicesofdistinguishedplayers。AndthisinitselfratherinclinedWaynetosympathizewithSalisbury。Heknewsomethingofthestrugglesofastrictlyamateurclubtocopewithitssemi—professionalrivals。
　　Ashewassittingthere，idlytippedbackinacomfortablechair，dreamingoversomeofthebaseballdisastershehadsurvivedbeforehiscollegecareer，hesawayoungmanenterthelobbyofthehotel，speaktotheclerk，andthenturnandcomedirectlytowardthewindowwhereWaynewassitting。
　　``AreyonMr。Wayne，theYalepitcher？’’
　　heaskedeagerly。Hewasafair—haired，clean—cutyoungfellow，andhisvoicerangpleasantly。
　　``Guilty，’’repliedWayne。
　　``Myname’sHuling。I’mcaptainoftheSalisburynine。Justlearnedyouwereintownandaregoingtopitchagainstustomorrow。Won’tyouwalkoutintothegroundswithmenow？
　　Youmightwanttowarmupalittle。’’
　　``Thankyou，yes，Iwill。GuessIwon’tneedmysuit。I’lljustlimberup，andgivemyarmagoodrub。’’
　　ItstruckWaynebeforetheyhadwalkedfarthatHulingwasanamiableandlikablechap。AsthecaptainoftheSalisburynine，hecertainlyhadnoreasontobeagreeabletotheMorristown``ringer，’’eventhoughWaynedidhappentobeafamousYalepitcher。
　　Thefieldwasanoval，greenasanemerald，levelasabilliardtableandhadnofencesorstandstoobstructtheopenviewofthesurroundingwoodedcountry。Oneachsideofthediamondwererowsofwoodenbenches，andatoneendofthefieldstoodalittleclubhouse。
　　Waynetookoffhiscoat，andtossedaballforawhiletoanambitiousyoungster，andthenwentintotheclubhouse，whereHulingintroducedhimtoseveralofhisplayers。Afteragoodrubdown，WaynethankedHulingforhiscourtesy，andstartedout，intendingtogobacktotown。
　　``Whynotstaytoseeuspractice？’’askedthecaptain。``We’renotafraidyou’llsizeupourweaknesses。Asamatteroffact，wedon’tlookforwardtoanyhittingstuntstomorrow，eh，Burns？Burns，here，isourleadinghitter，andhe’sbeenunusuallynoncommittalsinceheheardwhowasgoingtopitchforBellville。’’
　　``Well，Iwouldn’tgiveawholelotformyprospectsofahomeruntomorrow，’’saidBurns，withalaugh。
　　Waynewentoutside，andfoundaseatintheshade。Anumberofurchinshadtroopeduponthegreenfield，andcarriagesandmotorswerealreadyinevidence。Bythetimetheplayerscameoutofthedressingroom，readyforpractice，therewasquitealittlecrowdinattendance。
　　DespiteWayne’shesitation，Hulinginsisteduponintroducinghimtofriends，andfinallyhauledhimuptoabigtouringcarfullofgirls。Wayne，beingaYalepitcher，hadseenseveralthousandprettygirls，butthegroupinthatautomobilefairlydazzledhim。AndthelastonetowhomHulingpresentedhim——withthewords：``Dorothy，thisisMr。Wayne，theYalepitcher，whoistoplaywithBellvilletomorrow;Mr。Wayne，mysister’’——wasthegirlhehadknownhewouldmeetsomeday。
　　``Climbup，Mr。Wayne。Wecanmakeroom，’’
　　invitedMissHuling。
　　WaynethoughttheawkwardnesswithwhichhefoundaseatbesideherwasunbecomingtoaYalesenior。But，consideringshewasthegirlhehadbeenexpectingtodiscoverforyears，hisclumsinessbespoketheimportanceoftheevent。Themerrylaughterofthegirlsranginhisears。
　　Presently，avoicedetacheditselffromtheothers，andcamefloatingsoftlytohim。
　　``Mr。Wayne，soyou’regoingtowrestourlaurelsfromus？’’askedMissHuling。
　　``Idon’tknow——I’mnotinfallible——I’vebeenbeaten。’’
　　``When？Notthisseason？’’sheinquiredquickly，betrayingaknowledgeofhisrecordthatsurprisedandpleasedhim。``Mr。Wayne，IwasatthePoloGroundsonJunefifteenth。’’
　　HerwhitehandlightlytouchedthePrincetonpinatherneck。Waynerousedsuddenlyoutofhistrance。ThegirlwasaPrincetongirl！Thegleamofhergoldenhair，theflashofherblueeyes，becameclearinsight。
　　``I’mverypleasedtohearit，’’hereplied。
　　``Itwasagreatgame，Mr。Wayne，andyoumaywellbeproudofyourpartinwinningit。I
　　shouldn’tbesurprisedifyoutreatedtheSalisburyteamtothesamecoatofwhitewash。Wegirlsareupinarms。Ourboysstoodafairchancetowinthisgame，butnowthere’sadoubt。Bytheway，areyouacquaintedinBellville？’’
　　``No。ImetReed，theBellvillecaptain，inNewYorkthisweek。Hehadalreadygottenanextrapitcher——anotherringer——forthisgame，buthesaidhepreferredme，ifitcouldbearranged。’’
　　Whileconversing，WaynemadenoteofthefactthattheothergirlsstudiouslylefthimtoMissHuling。Iftheavoidancehadnotbeensomarked，hewouldneverhavethoughtofit。
　　``Mr。Wayne，ifyourwordisnotinvolved——willyouchangeyourmindandpitchtomorrow’sgameforusinsteadofBellville？’’
　　Quiteamazed，WayneturnedsquarelytolookatMissHuling。Insteadofdisarminghisquicksuspicion，hercool，sweetvoice，andbrave，blueeyesconfirmedit。Thecharmsofthecaptain’ssisterweretobeusedtowinhimawayfromtheBellvillenine。Heknewthetrick;ithadbeenplayeduponhimbefore。
　　Butneverhadanyothersuchoccasiongivenhimafeelingofregret。Thiscasewasdifferent。
　　Shewasthegirl。Andshemeanttoflirtwithhim，tousehereyesforalltheywereworthtoencompasstheWaterloooftherivalteam。
　　No，hehadmadeamistake，afterall——shewasnottherealgirl。Suddenlyconsciousofalittleshockofpain，hedismissedthatdreamgirlfromhismind，anddeterminedtomeetMissHulinghalfwayinhergame。Hecouldnotflirtaswellashecouldpitch;still，hewasnonovice。
　　``Well，MissHuling，mywordcertainlyisnotinvolved。ButastopitchingforSalisbury——thatdepends。’’
　　``Uponwhat？’’
　　``Uponwhatthereisinit。’’
　　``Mr。Wayne，youmean——money？Oh，Iknow。
　　MybrotherRextoldmehowyoucollegemenarepaidbigsums。Ourassociationwillnotgiveadollar，and，besides，mybrotherknowsnothingofthis。Butwegirlsareheartandsoulonwinningthisgame。We’ll————’’
　　``MissHuling，Ididn’tmeanremunerationinsordidcash，’’interruptedWayne，inatonethatheightenedthecolorinhercheeks。
　　Wayneeyedherkeenlywithmingledemotions。
　　Wasthatrose—leafflushinhercheeksnatural？
　　Somegirlscouldblushatwill。Werethewistfuleyes，theearnestlips，onlyshamming？Itcosthimsomebitternesstodecidethattheywere。
　　Herbeautyfascinated，whileithardenedhim。
　　Eternally，thebeautyofwomenmeanttheundoingofmen，whethertheyplayedthesimple，inconsequentialgameofbaseball，orthegreat，absorbing，mutablegameoflife。
　　Theshameofthesituationforhimwasincreasinglyannoying，inasmuchasthislovelygirlshouldstooptoflirtationwithastranger，andthesametimedrawhim，allurehim，despitetheapparentinsincerity。
　　``MissHuling，I’llpitchyourgamefortwothings，’’hecontinued。
　　``Namethem。’’
　　``WearYaleblueinplaceofthatorange—and—
　　blackPrincetonpin。’’
　　``Iwill。’’Shesaiditwithashyness，alookinhereyesthatmadeWaynewince。Whataperfectlittleactress！Butthereseemedjustachancethatthiswasnotdeceit。Foraninstanthewavered，heldbackbysubtle，finerintuition;thenhebeatdownthemountinginfluenceoftruthinthosedark—blueeyes，andspokedeliberately：
　　``Theotherthingis——ifIwinthegame——akiss。’’
　　DorothyHuling’sfaceflamedscarlet。ButthisdidnotaffectWaynesodeeply，thoughitshowedhimhismistake，asthedarkeningshadowofdisappointmentinhereyes。Ifshehadbeenaflirt，shewouldhavebeenpreparedforrudeness。Hebegancastingaboutinhismindforsomeapology，somemitigationofhisoffense;butashewasabouttospeak，thesuddenfadingofhercolor，leavingherpale，andthelookinherproud，darkeyesdisconcertedhimoutofutterance。
　　``Certainly，Mr。Wayne。Iagreetoyourpriceifyouwinthegame。’’
　　ButhowimmeasurablewasthedistancebetweentheshyconsenttowearYaleblue，andthepale，surprisedagreementtohissecondproposal！
　　Wayneexperiencedastrangesensationofpersonalloss。
　　Whileheendeavoredtofindhistongue，MissHulingspoketooneoftheboysstandingnear，andhestartedoffonarunforthefield。PresentlyHulingandtheotherplayersbrokeforthecar，soonsurroundingitinbreathlessanticipation。
　　``Wayne，isitstraight？You’llpitchforustomorrow？’’demandedthecaptain，withshiningeyes。
　　``SurelyIwill。Bellvilledon’tneedme。
　　They’vegotMackay，ofGeorgetown，’’repliedWayne。
　　Accustomedashewastobeingmobbedbyenthusiasticstudentsandadmiringfriends，Waynecouldnotbutfeelextremeembarrassmentatthereceptionaccordedhimnow。Hefeltthathewassailingunderfalsecolors。Theboysmauledhim，thegirlsflutteredabouthimwithgladlaughter。
　　Hehadtotearhimselfaway;andwhenhefinallyreachedhishotel，hewenttohisroom，withhismindinatumult。
　　Waynecursedhimselfroundly;thenhefellintodeepthought。Hebegantohopehecouldretrievetheblunder。Hewouldwinthegame;hewouldexplaintoherthetruth;hewouldaskforanopportunitytoprovehewasworthyofherfriendship;
　　hewouldnotmentionthekiss。Thislastthoughtcalledupthesoftcurveofherredlipsandthatitwaspossibleforhimtokisshermadethetemptationstrong。
　　Hissleepthatnightwasnotpeacefulanddreamless。Heawakenedlate，hadbreakfastsenttohisroom，andthentookalongwalkoutintothecountry。Afterlunchhedodgedthecrowdinthehotellobby，andhurriedupstairs，whereheputonhisbaseballsuit。ThefirstpersonhemetupongoingdownwasReed，theBellvilleman。
　　``What’sthisIhear，Wayne，aboutyourpitchingforSalisburytoday？Igotyourtelegram。’’
　　``Straightgoods，’’repliedWayne。
　　``ButIthoughtyouintendedtopitchforus？’’
　　``Ididn’tpromise，didI？’’
　　``No。Still，itlooksfishytome。’’
　　``You’vegotMackay，haven’tyou？’’
　　``Yes。Thetruthis，Iintendedtouseyouboth。’’
　　``Well，I’lltrytowinforSalisbury。Hopethere’snohardfeeling。’’
　　``Notatall。OnlyifIdidn’thavetheGeorgetowncrack，I’dyellmurder。Asitis，we’lltrimSalisburyanyway。’’
　　``Maybe，’’answeredWayne，laughing。``It’sahotday，andmyarmfeelsgood。’’
　　WhenWaynereachedtheballgrounds，hethoughthehadneverseenamoreinspiringsight。
　　Thebrightgreenovalwassurroundedbyaglitteringmassofwhiteandblueandblack。Outalongthefoullineswerecarriages，motors，andtally—hos，brilliantwithwavingfansandflags。
　　Overthefieldmurmuredthelowhumofmanyvoices。
　　``Hereyouare！’’criedHuling，makingagrabforWayne。``Wherewereyouthismorning？
　　Wecouldn’tfindyou。Come！We’vegotaminutebeforethepracticewhistleblows，andIpromisedtoexhibityou。’’
　　HehustledWaynedownthefirst—baseline，pastthecheeringcrowd，outamongthemotors，tothesametouringcarthatheremembered。Abevyofwhite—gownedgirlsroselikeacoveyofptarmigans，andwhirledflagsofmaroonandgray。
　　DorothyHulingworeabowofYaleblueuponherbreast，andWaynesawitandherfacethroughablur。
　　``Hurry，girls;getitover。We’vegottopractice，’’saidthecaptain。
　　InthemerrymeleesomeonetiedaknotofribbonuponWayne。Whoitwashedidnotknow;
　　hesawonlytheavertedfaceofDorothyHuling。
　　Andashereturnedtothefieldwithadullpang，hedeterminedhewouldmakeherindifferencedisappearwiththegladnessofavictoryforherteam。
　　Thepracticewasshort，butlongenoughforWaynetolocatetheglaringweaknessofSalisburyatshortstopandthirdbase。Infact，mostoftheplayersofhisteamshowedratherpoorform;theywereoverstrained，andplainlylackedexperiencenecessaryforsteadinessinanimportantgame。
　　Burns，thecatcher，however，gaveWayneconfidence。Hewasashort，sturdyyoungster，withalltheearmarksofacomingstar。Huling，thecaptain，handledhimselfwellatfirstbase。TheBellvilleplayersweremorematured，andsomeofthemwereformercollegecracks。Waynesawthathehadhisworkcutoutforhim。
　　Thewhistleblew。TheBellvilleteamtrottedtotheirpositioninthefield;theumpirecalledplay，andtossedaballtoMackay，thelong，leanGeorgetownpitcher。
　　Wells，thefirstbatter，fouledout;Stamfordhitaneasybouncetothepitcher，andClewsputupalittleTexasleaguer——allgoingout，one，two，three，onthreepitchedballs。
　　Theteamschangedfrombattofield。Waynefacedtheplateamidvociferouscheering。Hefeltthathecouldbeatthisteamevenwithoutgoodsupport。Hewasinthefinestcondition，andhisarmhadbeenrestingfortendays。Heknewthatifhehadcontrolofhishighinshoot，theseBellvilleplayerswouldfeelthewhizofsomespeedundertheirchins。
　　HestruckMooreout，retiredReedonameaslyfly，andmadeClarkhitaweakgroundertosecond;
　　andhewalkedintothebenchassuredoftheoutcome。Onsomedayshehadpoorcontrol;onothershisdropballrefusedtoworkproperly;
　　but，asluckwouldhaveit，hehadneverhadgreaterspeedoraccuracy，oramorebewilderingfastcurvethanonthisday，whenhemeanttowinagameforagirl。
　　``Boys，I’vegoteverything，’’hesaidtohisfellow—players，callingthemaroundhim。``Acoupleofrunswillwinforus。Now，listen，IknowMackay。Hehasn’tanyspeed，ormuchofacurve。
　　Allhe’sgotisateasingslowballandafoxyhead。
　　Don’tbetooanxioustohit。Makehimput’emover。’’
　　ButtheSalisburyplayerswerenotproofagainstthetemptingslowballsthatMackaydelivered。Theyhitatwidecurvesfarofftheplateandwhentheydidconnectwiththeballitwasonlytosendaneasychancetotheinfielders。
　　Thegameseesawedalong，inningafterinning;
　　itwasapitcher’sbattlethatlookedasifthefirstrunscoredwouldwinthegame。MackaytoyedwiththeSalisburyboys;itwashispleasuretotossuptwisting，floatingballsthatcouldscarcelybehitoutofthediamond。WaynehadtheBellvilleplayersutterlyathismercy;hemixeduphishighjumpandfastdropsocleverly，withhissweepingout—curve，thathisopponentswereunabletogaugehisdeliveryatall。
　　Inthefirstoftheseventh，BarrforBellvillehitaballwhichthethirdbasemanshouldhavefielded。Buthefumbled。Thesecondbattersentaflytoshortstop，whomuffedit。Thethirdhitterreachedhisbaseonanothererrorbyaninfielder。Herethebaseswerecrowded，andthesituationhadbecomecriticalallinamoment。
　　Waynebelievedtheinfieldwouldgotopieces，andlosethegame，thenandthere，ifanotherhitwenttoshortorthird。
　　``Steadyup，boys，’’calledWayne，andbeckonedforhiscatcher。
　　``Burns，it’suptoyouandme，’’hesaid，inalowtone。``I’vegottofantherestofthesehitters。You’redoingsplendidly。Now，watchcloseformydrop。Bereadytogodownonyourknees。
　　WhenIletmyselfout，theballgenerallyhitsthegroundjustbackoftheplate。’’
　　``Speed’emover！’’saidBurns，hissweatyfacegrimanddetermined。``I’llgetinfrontof’em。’’
　　TheheadofthebattinglistwasupforBellville，andthewholeBellvillecontingentonthesidelinesroseandyelledandcheered。
　　Moorewasalefthandedhitter，whochokedhisbatupshort，andpokedattheball。Hewasagoodbunter，andswiftonhisfeet。Waynehadtakenhismeasure，ashehadthatoftheotherplayers，earlierinthegame;andheknewitwasgoodpitchingtokeeptheballinclosetoMoore’shands，sothatifhedidhitit，thechanceswereitwouldnotgosafe。
　　Summoningallhisstrength，Waynetookhislongswingandshottheballovertheinsidecornerwithterrificspeed。
　　Onestrike！
　　Wayneknewitwouldnotdotowasteanyballsifhewishedtomaintainthatspeed，soheputthesecondoneinthesameplace。Moorestrucktoolate。
　　Twostrikes！
　　ThenBurnssignedforthelastdrop。Waynedelivereditwithtrepidation，foritwasahardcurvetohandle。Moorefellalloverhimselftryingtohitit。LittleBurnsdroppedtohiskneestoblocktheviciouscurve。Itstrucktheground，and，glancing，boomeddeeponthebreastprotector。
　　HowtheSalisburysupportersroaredtheirapproval！Onemanout——thebasesfull——withReed，thesluggingcaptain，atbat！
　　IfReedhadaweakness，Waynehadnotdiscoveredityet，althoughReedhadnothitsafely。
　　Thecaptainstoodsomewhatbackfromtheplate，afactthatinducedWaynetotryhimwiththespeedyoutcurve。Reedlungedwithapowerfulswing，pullingawayfromtheplate，andhemissedthecurvebyafoot。
　　Waynedidnotneedtoknowanymore。Reedhadmadehisreputationsluggingstraightballsfromheedlesspitchers。Hechoppedtheairtwicemore，andflunghisbatsavagelytotheground。
　　``Twoout——playthehitter！’’calledWaynetohisteam。
　　Clark，thethirdmanup，wasthesurestbatterontheBellvilleteam。Helookeddangerous。Hehadmadetheonlyhitsofartothecreditofhisteam。Waynetriedtoworkhimonahigh，fastballclosein。Clarkswungfreelyandcrackedarippinglinertoleft。Halfthecrowdroared，andthengroaned，forthebeautifulhitwentfoulbyseveralyards。Waynewiselydecidedtoriskallonhisfastdrop。Clarkmissedthefirst，fouledthesecond。
　　Twostrikes！
　　Thenhewaited。Hecoolyletone，two，threeofthefastdropsgobywithoutattemptingtohitthem。Burnsvaliantlygothisbodyinfrontofthem。Theseballswereallovertheplate，buttoolowtobecalledstrikes。Withtwostrikes，andthreeballs，andthebasesfull，Clarkhadtheadvantage。
　　Tightastheplacewas，Waynedidnotflinch。
　　Thegamedependedpracticallyuponthenextballdelivered。Waynecraftilyanddaringlydecidedtouseanotherfastdrop，forofallhisassortmentthatwouldbetheoneleastexpectedbyClark。
　　Butitmustbestartedhigher，sothatincaseClarkmadenoefforttoswing，itwouldstillbeastrike。
　　Grippingtheballwithaclinchedhand，Wayneswungsharply，anddroveithomewiththelimitofhispower。Itspedlikeabullet，waisthigh，andjustbeforereachingtheplatedarteddownward，asifithadglancedonaninvisiblebarrier。
　　Clarkwasfooledcompletelyandstruckfutilely。
　　Buttheballcaromedfromthehardground，hitBurnswitharesoundingthud，andbouncedaway。
　　Clarkbrokeforfirst，andMooredashedforhome。
　　Likeatigerthelittlecatcherpouncedupontheball，and，leapingbackintoline，blockedtheslidingMoorethreefeetfromtheplate。
　　PandemoniumburstlooseamongtheSalisburyadherents。Themenbawled，thewomenscreamed，theboysshrieked，andallwavedtheirhatsandflags，andjumpedupanddown，andmanifestedsymptomsofbaseballinsanity。
　　Inthefirstoftheeighthinning，Mackaysaileduptheballslikeballoons，anddisposedofthreebattersonthesameoldweakhitstohiscleverfielders。Inthelastoftheeighth，WaynestruckoutthreemoreBellvilleplayers。
　　``Burns，you’reup，’’saidWayne，who，inhisearnestnesstowin，keptcheeringhiscomrades。
　　``Dosomething。Getyourbaseanywayyoucan。
　　Getinfrontofone。Wemustscorethisinning。’’
　　Faithful，batteredBurnscunninglyimposedhishipovertheplateandreceivedanotherbruiseintheinterestsofhisteam。Theopposingplayersfuriouslystormedattheumpireforgivinghimhisbase，butBurns’trickwentthrough。Burnettbuntedskilfully，sendingBurnstosecond。Colehitaflytocenter。ThenHulingsingledbetweenshortandthird。
　　Itbecamenecessaryfortheumpiretodelaythegamewhileheputthemadlyleapingboysbackoffthecoachinglines。Theshrill，hilariouscheeringgraduallydiedout，andthefieldsettledintoaforcedquiet。
　　Waynehurrieduptotheplateandtookhisposition。Hehadalwaysbeenatimelyhitter，andhegrittedhisteethinhisresolvetosettlethisgame。Mackaywhirledhislongarm，wheeled，tookhislongstride，andpitchedaslow，tantalizingballthatseemednevertogetanywhere。ButWaynewaited，timeditperfectly，andmetitsquarely。
　　Theballflewsafelyovershort，andbutforafinesprintandstopbytheleftfielder，wouldhaveresultedinatriple，possiblyahomerun。Asitwas，BurnsandHulingscored;andWayne，byaslide，reachedsecondbase。Whenhearoseandsawthedisorderlyriot，andheardthenoiseofthatwell—dressedaudience，hehadamomentofexultation。ThenWellsflewouttocenterendingthechancesformoreruns。
　　AsWaynereceivedtheballinthepitcher’sbox，hepausedandlookedoutacrossthefieldtowardawhite—crownedmotorcar，andhecaughtagleamofDorothyHuling’sgoldenhair，andwonderedifshewereglad。
　　Fornothingshortofthemiraculouscouldsnatchthisgamefromhimnow。Burnshadwithstoodaseverepounding，buthewouldlastouttheinning，andWaynedidnottakeintoaccounttherestoftheteam。Heopenedupwithnoslackeningofhisterrificspeed，andhestruckoutthethreeremainingbattersonelevenpitchedballs。
　　ThenintherisingdinheranforBurnsandgavehimamightyhug。
　　``YoumadethegameststandofanycatcherI
　　everpitchedto，’’hesaidwarmly。
　　Burnslookedathisquivering，puffed，andbleedinghands，andsmiledasiftosaythatthiswaspraisetoremember，andrewardenough。
　　Thenthecrowdswoopeddownonthem，andtheywereswallowedupintheclamorandsurgeofvictory。WhenWaynegotoutofthethickandpressofit，hemadeabeelineforhishotel，andbyrunningagauntletmanagedtoescape。
　　Resting，dressing，anddiningwerematterswhichhewentthroughmechanically，withhismindeverononething。Later，hefoundadarkcorneroftheporchandsattherewaiting，thinking。
　　Therewastobeadancegiveninhonoroftheteamthateveningatthehotel。Hewatchedtheboysandgirlspassupthesteps。Whenthemusiccommenced，hearoseandwentintothehall。
　　Itwasbrightwithwhitegowns，andgaywithmovement。