The New Boy at Hilltop

ad become fast friends. Kenneth grew to like Joe better each day; and it hadn't taken him long to discover that it was because of Joe's ability t

ost sixteen years, but he made up for that in speed, while his prowess at shooting baskets from the floor or from fouls was so remarkable that after a few practice games had been played all Lower House was discussing him with eager amazement and Upper House was sitting up and

. Grafton was a hard, rough player and he didn't handle Kenneth with gloves. On the other hand, Kenneth asked no favors nor gave any. Naturally Grafton's superior size and strength gave him the advantage, and after the second of these "mix-ups," during which the other players and the few spectators looked on gleefully and

use held an enthusiastic meeting at which songs and cheers were practiced and at which the forty odd fellows in attendance pledge

ou give?" whis

is pencil poised above the litt

good bit?" he as

ly get twenty dollars a

fellow gives what he thin

dollars, but lots of t

y ce

"'What he thinks he ought

see the first of the hockey series and stood ankle-deep in the new sno

efully shouted the supporters of the blue-s

t be pretty near over, that's one comfort! Hello, here comes Whipple. Gee, but he makes me tired! Always trying to mix with the fellows. I wonder if he was born with that

g a hand on the boy's shoulder, "how goes

ad," gro

e good," said the instructor sweetly. "Ev

t. Grafton Hyde was beside him

ish you'd tell me about this. It's your subscription slip. These figures look like a

ered Kenne

llar?" inquired Gr

hing the game or delighting in Joe's discomforture t

th. "The figures are perf

ed his shoulde

ly a dollar seemed rather lit

se give a dollar?

ceived," answered Grafton with much

ou doing no

rely

d. That's enou

Upper, Garwood; that's where you belong. You're a fresh kid, and I guess we don't have to have your sub

ibed what I thought proper and you've refu

ell, that couldn't be helped now. He turned his back and gave his attention to the game. But the

s hope that by next year Garwood will hav

round and faced

sir, how muc

required-I should say expected to-ah-cont

I don't believe you've got any right to criticise the siz

grew tremulous and a

and eager to aid in any way," he replied with angry dignity, "If they w

ckled all h

s,

k you

dollars, M

ned and uneasy. He had not exp

onations confined to the student body," he

ed Joe. "Give us a co

he waiting players flocked to the barrier to see what was up. Mr. Whipple looked questioningly at Grafton and found that youth regarding him expectantly. With a sigh wh

fton. "I'll send y

ile had returned in all its serenity. "And now, Garwood," he said, "as I have complied with your requirements, allow

s last words, swung around with an angry retor

" whispered Joe

a smiling nod, followed by a quick malevolent glance

quiet snicker

in the ranks

tructor's discomfiture for he realized that the

with the score 18 to 7 in Upper's favor,

't made that fuss about the subscription. F

Kenneth defiantly. "Anyhow, Hyde had no busines

hadn't. I guess he's got it in for you

d Kenneth. And he

re Graft gets at him with a lot o

sh you would. I don't want to

g throws of yours. Graft says it's just your fool luck," Joe chuckled. "I asked him why he didn't

arble no

es it! Jim doesn't

e up my mind to beat Grafton

work, Marble at center. Joe at left forward and Collier at left guard having won applause time and again. But Upper had far excelled in team work, especially on offense, and Lower's much-heralded speed hadn't shown up. On the defense, all things considered, Lower had done fairly well, although most of the honor belonged to Collier at le

ard. Carl Jones, Upper's big center, stole the ball in the middle of the floor and succeeded in getting quite away from the field. Kenneth saw the danger and gave chase, but

in practice, and, on the following Thursday the long-expected happened. Grafton H