s laid off for a spell, because he is the catcher of the
Belleville High team, you see. O. K. is a fine chap. He ran over here
to see what we were doing, and to warn us we'd have to get a hustle on
if we hoped to have even a look-in, because Allandale is working like
anything, while Belleville means to do her best this year."

"Belleville had better get a move on," suggested Thad, caustically,
"unless she wants to share the fate of poor old Lawrence. Both teams
beat Lawrence so badly last season that her club disbanded, for the
fellows started to squabbling among themselves, which of course ruins
any organization going."

So, chatting as they walked along, the three boys finally parted at a
corner where their several ways led in different directions. Hugh
glanced back over his shoulder once in the direction of the receding
figure of Owen Dugdale. What was in his mind just then it might be
hard to say; but at least the expression on his face would indicate
that his former confidence in the Dugdale boy had not yet been
extinguished.

CHAPTER XI

HUGH'S PETS IN DANGER

"Rotten luck, Hugh, to have that practice game called off this
afternoon just because it rained a little. The ground wasn't drenched
very much, and we could have done some work, anyhow. But it's too late
now."

Thad was on the way home from school on Wednesday afternoon when he
said this. He had hastened and overtaken the other a block or so away
from the campus. Already the rain had stopped. Mr. Leonard, however,
had sent word around that there would be no baseball practice that day;
but for every one to be on hand Thursday P. M., as no excuses would be
taken for absence, when every day counted so much now.

"Hold on, please, Hugh and Thad!" called some one from the rear; and
looking back they discovered a lame boy called Limpy Wallace, who
always carried a crutch and had to twist his body in a curious fashion
when he wished to make speed.

Limpy could get over ground wonderfully well, considering the
difficulties under which he labored. More than once he had been held
up by Doctor Carmack to the other boys at Scranton High as a rebuke for
their laziness. If a fellow who had so much to contend with could
always appear so satisfied, and manage to get along as well as he did,
they ought to be ashamed to dawdle, and waste time when they had all
their faculties intact.

Limpy Wallace was a constant and consistent admirer of Hugh Mo