'As Gold in the Furnace'

ching

or both were reading from the same letter, which the former had just received. They were evidently much interested in its contents, for neither

rested, you two, not to he

nce, Rob, quick eno

striking," a

be of tremendous importanc

ived a nice letter from those nice fellows of Blandy

ey to say?"in

this: 'We met with few defeats this summer, and I am instructed by the nine to say that if we were to be defeated-and we were once or twice, as you remember-we preferred to have been defeated by no one

d to meet you early next summer, if we can arrange some games with you. We have great pleasure in telling you that we intend to wipe out all defeats of thi

lans," remarked Beecham. "Pshaw! isn't it a pity that Henning

must get a cage and practice pitching and catching. We can't afford to dim the glory of last summer's record. You

nd they are expensive t

e Roy will help us as usual. He is always generous with hi

are too, but I doubt whether he will be as generous as Roy has always been. Thanksgiving day will

alford say about

ay expect his one proviso which he is very strong on,

had better begin at once. Here co

d then asked him whether he would help them

n given anyth

n him yet. You are the fi

t me down for

said Beecham, without

The gift, for a college student, was liberal enough; but there was something in the merely civil "Thanks," from Beecham, which told him he had not

n subscribes, and if he gives more tha

o very pleasant frame of mind. "Why is Roy so popular and I a nonentity?" he asked him

nce on a subscription tour. They

ng to put up a pitcher's cage in one end of the long playro

restricted capital, had made a resolution to spend only two dollars and a half each month. He made a rapid calculation of the present mont

y next spring; but we want you to be

"none better. Won't you take it? You can do ten ti

esitated Henning,

al beggar, you know, and with your own big donation

tor," laughed Shealey,

etary for you, if the boys are willing.

's good of you," said Beecham,

efore I hand over to you the subscription list

ys been a liberal contributor. What would his friends think of him n

shall disappoin

unt of-of-well-to put it without circumlocution-an unlimited amount of cheek. No one can withstand your winning smile and drawing manner. But what is your own gift? Le

asked Henni

doll

ith something very li

ing an extra twenty which comes out of the pocket of that beg-Oh! I beg your

Roy understood him, but just now he was not inclined eit

disappoint you this t

ve yet," rema

l this time

nt of the disappointment,

eginning to regard him as an uncertain or even an unknown quantity. Was his friend becoming miserly? This idea made Jack Beecham laugh. Roy misanthropical! The clever, bright,

y, with his pencil and notebook in hand,

ley only partly suppressed a giggle, supposing that Roy, as

d remark when he caught a side view of poor Roy's face, which was suffused

to left, he took Roy's hand and pressed it warmly, sympathetically. The action told more than words could do. B

were alone

Is there-is there any fina

, Jack; but I

er silent press

ould do-if I could share-look here, Roy," he at last blurted out, boy-fashion, "look

at. I can't explain, but come what may I want you not to misunderstand me. Whatever you may hear or see I want you not to lo

her had made no such restriction in the test he had imposed. It was Roy's own peculiar temperament which prevented him fro

nd it all-your refusing to play, and this-this small donation, and everyth

e hot, and his

in-yet. But as long as you have confidence in me

he fair name of the lady of his heart. To make the simile more in accordance with our own more prosaic times, Jack Beecham became Henning's champion, and went around f

y looked a long time out