ow long it
was likely to take a fleet runner to cover fifteen miles of good road.

Anxious eyes were being strained unduly, watching the bend half a mile
beyond. It could be seen from almost any part of the field, fortunately,
though once the big board fence was in position, the view would be
partly cut off.

It had been arranged, as is always done, that when a runner was sighted
nearing the bend a gun would be fired by the sentry on duty there,
to attract the attention of the crowd, so that they might have the
first glimpse of the leading contestants, as they rounded that abrupt
curve where the view was shut off.

There was now nothing going on in the arena, the entire programme
having been carried out. Still, few, if any, left their seats,
although they had been there for several hours, it might be. The
deepest interest centered upon the completion of the Marathon race.
In comparison to this exhibition of school-boy endurance and pluck the
other affairs seemed to sink into insignificance; although at the time
they occurred doubtless those who had friends entered were wildly
excited. But then the race that has already been finished is never
as intensely interesting as the one in process of being run; just as
the fish landed never seems quite so wonderful as the fellow who is
still swimming the waters, and eyeing the baited hook as though
tempted to take a hazard.

Seconds seemed fraught with undue importance, and many impatient
fellows, upon consulting their watches, were seen to hold the same
up to their ear, as though to make sure the time-piece had not stopped,
so leaden-footed did the minutes seem to move along.

Some of the girls had commenced to sing their class songs, but in a
mild sort of way; for they did not wish to lose the sound that would
denote that a runner was in sight at the second bend, and could be
expected shortly to come into view at the head of the last half-mile
strip of road leading to the goal.

Once an engine on the railroad not far away gave a sharp whistle that
thrilled everybody, and numberless eyes were glued on the point up
the road where the first runner must appear. Then a general laugh
ran around because of the false alarm.

But everything must have an end, and that keen anxiety finally met with
its reward. Plainly came the heavy boom of the waiting gun. Everyone
craned his or her neck to see. Hearts beat quicker with eager
anticipation. Which one of the thirty contes