t just too exciting for anything, Flo?" asked Mame Wells,
putting her arm around her chum, whom she found actually quivering with
nervous hope and fear.

"Don't speak to me, Mame; I just can't bear to listen," replied the
other. "I'm waiting to see who comes in sight first, and hoping I won't
be disappointed. Be still, please, and let me alone."

Indeed, by degrees, all noise seemed to be dying out. A strange silence
fell upon the vast throng. Thousands of eyes were fastened upon that
clump of trees, back of which they had seen the last runner vanish some
time before. Here the leader would presently show up; and they had not
the slightest way of knowing whether it would be Boggs, Fenton, or
Collins from Paulding.

Much could have happened since the three leaders turned the stake.
Another runner might have advanced from behind, and taken the head of
the procession. Some of those in the big road race were really unknown
quantities; and among these was Gabe Larkins, for no one had ever
really seen him run, the Riverport lad who lagged behind in the start.

Seconds seemed minutes, and these latter hours, as they waited for what
was to come. It was hard to believe that somewhere behind that screen a
crowd of boys were speeding along at their level best, seeking to win
honors for the school of their choice.

Several false alarms were given, as is usually the case, when some
nervous persons think they can see a moving object.

But finally a tremendous shout arose, that gained volume with each
passing second. Everybody joined in that welcoming roar, regardless of
who the leader might turn out to be.

"Here they come!"

A lone runner had suddenly burst out from behind the trees, and was
heading for the field, passing swiftly over the ground, and with an
easy, though powerful, foot movement, that quite won the hearts of all
those present who had in days past been more or less interested in
college athletics.

"It's Boggs!" shrieked one.

"Yes, I can see his number plain, and it's One, all right. Oh! you
dandy, how you do cover the ground, though! Nobody ever saw such
running; and he's got the rest beat a mile. Why, look, not a single one
in sight yet, and Boggs, he's nearly a third of the way here from the
turn in the course."

Almost sick at heart, and with trembling hands pretty Flo Temple managed
to raise the field glasses she had with her. She really hated to level
them just to see the face of the winning Boggs.