SECOND HALF

CHAPTER I

THE STRANGE CONTRACT

"Judd, I'd rather a fellow would be anything else but a quitter!"

Judd jumped to his feet, eyes blazing.

"I'm not a quitter ... but I'm not gonna go back to school!"

Bob Billings, older brother, stared for a moment, unanswering. Judd
had come on to the city to visit him during summer vacation. Since the
father's death and Bob's attending Bartlett College, there had been
little chance for the two to be together, especially with Bob employed
in the Star Sporting Goods store, miles away from Trumbull, the little
town near which the Billings family lived.

"You've got to get a hold on yourself," Bob said, finally, "I'd no idea
you'd gotten this way. You're babying yourself out of everything you'd
really like to do. And here I'd counted on your taking up on that
Trumbull High team where I left off! No reason why you couldn't either
... you've got a much better physique than I have. That work on our
farm has given you the muscles of an ox. You've got a grip in those
hands that would make most fellows yell for help. Only trouble with
you is--you don't know your own strength and you're afraid to use it.
Right now a much smaller guy could tie you into bow knots!"

Judd's face flushed. He had a great deal of respect for his older
brother, Bob. It was Bob who had written the greatest athletic page in
Trumbull High history by his feats in baseball, football and track.
And then, when the war had broken out, it was Bob who had enlisted in
the air service and come back from abroad with the Croix de Guerre and
a distinguished service medal with several citations for bravery. And
now, as a senior at Bartlett College, it was Bob who was heralded as
the outstanding member of the football team. Yes--there was no
question about it--Bob was a _he_ man!

To follow in the footsteps of such a brother was indeed an honor--or
was it a hardship? When Judd Billings had entered high school the
students looked upon him with expectant awe. Wasn't he the brother of
the great Bob Billings? Surely he would carry on the tradition of the
family. More great things would be forthcoming. Judd's big-boned,
awkward frame was pointed out with high glee. He was a trifle taller
and pounds heavier than Bob had been. What might this mean when he got
under way? Give him time and then look for some more records to be
broken!

But those who prophesied big things for Judd did not take