and had to work all the rest of the game picking them out."

"She has a frightful case of nerves," said Swanson sarcastically. "I
believe she'd break a needle if we won the world's championship the
last inning of the deciding game."

They laughed joyously as the girl turned to McCarthy and said frankly:

"I am so glad for your sake, Mr. McCarthy. I was so angry I could have
turned and told some of the people behind me what I thought of them
before the game started, but when you fielded that first ball they
cheered you--and that made up for it."

"They should have heard what Mr. Clancy had to say about it," he
laughed, and then growing serious said, "It is kind of you, Miss Tabor.
I am glad to know someone had faith in me."

They were standing a little apart from the group, which was slowly
moving toward the elevators, chattering excitedly as school boys and
girls. The feeling of relief from the anxiety and suspicion that had
fallen upon them gave rise to exuberance.

"Mr. Clancy is taking us for an auto ride all around the city
to-night," said Miss Tabor. "Shall I ask him to invite you to come
with us? There's an extra seat."

"It's awfully good of you," he said in genuine regret. "I wish I
could--but I have an engagement."

"Oh," she said, her tones chilling quickly. "I'm sorry."

"Miss Tabor," he pleaded eagerly, "please do not think I do not want to
go"----

"Did I hint such a thing?" she inquired, with an air of innocent
indifference.

He could not fence with her upon that basis and after a moment of idle
exchange of formalities she turned to join Mrs. Clancy and McCarthy
went to his room. Swanson was stretched upon the bed, reading
newspapers, and flinging each sheet at random as he finished scanning
its contents.

"Darn the luck," said McCarthy, hurling his glove and shoes toward his
trunk.

"Did his 'ittle tootsie wootsy treat him mean?" asked Swanson in his
most exasperating tones.

"Aw shut up, you big dub," snapped McCarthy angrily, resorting to ball
players' repartee to cover his feelings.

"Maybe his lovey dovey is just jealous and will forgive her 'ittle
pet," taunted the giant. "Petty mustn't mind what lovey says in her
notes."

"Oh," said Swanson, with vast relief when he found Swanson was barking
up the wrong tree, "I forgot all about the note."

He dragged the missive from his pocket and scanned it hastily, then
tossed it across to Swanson.

"Date is off," he announced