usion. Gridley took the game
by a single touchdown, failing in the subsequent kick for goal.
Five minutes later time expired.

Feeling doubly contemptible now, and sick at heart, Phin Drayne
crawled weakly down from the grand stand. He made his way out
in the throng, undetected. He returned to the costumer's, got
off his sneaking garb and donned his own clothing, then slipped
away out through a back door that opened on an alleyway.

Not until Sunday afternoon did Drayne yield to the desire to
get out of doors. His training life had made outer air a necessity
to him, so he yielded to the desire. But he kept to back streets.

Just as luck would have it, Drayne came suddenly face to face
with Dr. Thornton.

The good old principal had a fixed belief which followed the practice
of American law, to the effect that every accused man is innocent
until he has been proved guilty.

In addition, the doctor had recovered a good deal from his first
depression. Therefore he was able to meet this offending pupil
as he would want to under the circumstances.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Drayne," was Dr. Thornton's courteous greeting.
"It is beautiful; weather to be out, isn't it?"

"It is a perfect day, sir," Drayne replied.

Once he had gotten past the principal the young wretch gave way
to his exultation.

"No charge has been made, then," he told himself gloatingly.
"If I had been denounced, the Prin. could hardly have been as
gracious. Well, hang it all, what are charges going to amount
to, anyway?"

At the High School Monday morning, both before school and at recess,
the members of the football squad cut Drayne dead.

"They suspect me, but they can't prove anything, anyway," chuckled
the traitor to himself. "Brass, Phin, my boy! Brass! That is
bound to win out when the clodhoppers can't prove a blessed thing."

As none of the students outside of the squad showed any especial
inclination to cut him, Phin felt almost wholly reassured.

"It would be libelous, anyway, if the gang passed around a word
that they couldn't prove," chuckled Drayne. "So I guess those
that may be doing a heap of thinking will have caution enough
to keep their mouths shut, anyway,"

That afternoon, after luncheon, Phin Drayne took a long tramp
over country roads at the back of the big town. It was five o'clock
when he returned.

"Here's a note for you, on High School stationery," said Mrs.
Drayne, putting an envelope in her son's hand.