hree years. Why just yesterday there was a strange man at
the game--a city man, you could tell by his hat-band, and the way his
clothes were cut. He stayed through the whole game, and never took his
eyes off Rudie. I just know he was a scout for the Cubs."

"Probably a hardware drummer, or a fellow that Schlachweiler owes money
to."

Ivy began to pin on her hat. A scared look leaped into Papa Keller's
eyes. He looked a little old, too, and drawn, at that minute. He
stretched forth a rather tremulous hand.

"Ivy-girl," he said.

"What?" snapped Ivy.

"Your old father's just talking for your own good. You're breaking your
ma's heart. You and me have been good pals, haven't we?"

"Yes," said Ivy, grudgingly, and without looking up.

"Well now, look here. I've got a proposition to make to you. The
season's over in two more weeks. The last week they play out of town.
Then the boys'll come back for a week or so, just to hang around town and
try to get used to the idea of leaving us. Then they'll scatter to take
up their winter jobs-cutting ice, most of 'em," he added, grimly.

"Mr. Schlachweiler is employed in a large establishment in Slatersville,
Ohio," said Ivy, with dignity. "He regards baseball as his profession,
and he cannot do anything that would affect his pitching arm."

Pa Keller put on the tremolo stop and brought a misty look into his eyes.

"Ivy, you'll do one last thing for your old father, won't you?"

"Maybe," answered Ivy, coolly.

"Don't make that fellow any promises. Now wait a minute! Let me get
through. I won't put any crimp in your plans. I won't speak to
Schlachweiler. Promise you won't do anything rash until the ball
season's over. Then we'll wait just one month, see? Till along about
November. Then if you feel like you want to see him----"

"But how----"

"Hold on. You mustn't write to him, or see him, or let him write to you
during that time, see? Then, if you feel the way you do now, I'll take
you to Slatersville to see him. Now that's fair, ain't it? Only don't
let him know you're coming."

"M-m-m-yes," said Ivy.

"Shake hands on it." She did. Then she left the room with a rush,
headed in the direction of her own bedroom. Pa Keller treated himself to
a prodigious wink and went out to the vegetable garden in search of
Mother.

The team went out on the road, lost five games, won two, and came home in
fourth place. For a week they lounged around the