Behind the Line: A Story of College Life and Football

nd Village Streets, from the big bow-window of which the occupant of the cushioned seat may look to the four points of the compass or watch for occasional signs of life about the court-h

on a glint of gold where the light fell upon it, was perched cross-legged amid the cushions at one end of the big couch, two strong, tanned, and much-scarred hands clasping his knees. His companion and his junior by but two months, a dark-complexioned yout

of physical condition. They had been friends and room-mates for two years. This was their last year at Hillton, and next fall they w

er will get the

and now the big Thanksgiving dinner which they had eaten was beginning to work upon them a spell of dormancy. It was awfully jolly, thought Neil Fletcher, to just lie there and watch the flames and--and--He sighed comfor

knock at the

!" grunt

t, however, removing his drowsy gaze fr

n. I am looking f

followed his example. The caller was a carefully dressed man of about thirty-five, scarce

u. Sit down, won't you? I guess we were b

this afternoon you deserve sleep, and anything else you want." He lai

e met my friend, Neil Fletcher. Neil, this is Mr. Brill,

Mr. Brill. "That run was splendid; the way in which you two fellows got your spee

pretty good pac

uneasily from time to time at the clock, wondered what the visitor wanted there, an

s this fall," he was saying. "We won from Erskine by 17 t

said Neil to himself, "

surprisedly at Paul, who was thoughtfully examining the scars on his knuckles. "Don't decide until I've explained matters more clearly," went on the visitor. "Perhaps neither of you have been to Collegetown, but at least you know abo

on no names--where a born football player, such as either of you, would simply be lost; where he would be tied down by such stringent rules that he could never amount to anything on the gridiron. I don't mean to say that at Robinson the facul

to meet you half-way. The proposition which I am authorized to make is briefly this"--the speaker leaned forward, smiling frankly, and tapped a forefinger on the palm of his other hand--"If you, Mr. Gale, and you, Mr. Fletcher, will enter Robinson next September, the--ah--the athletic authorities will guarantee you positions on the varsity eleven. Besides this

ther's smiling regard, he had difficulty in keeping from his face some show of his emotions. P

said, "this is r

ickered for an inst

I'm due in September at Erskine, and unless Pa

aised his eyebrows i

aid slowly

ly. A faint flush of displeasure crept into Mr. B

ner, has he?" he asked politely, turning his gaze as he spoke on Paul. The la

Neil's wide-eyed surprise at his choice of words--"in fact, I had arran

l--" excl

ll. "For in my opinion it would simply be a waste

about studies," said Paul haltingly, "he can do better work

l," respond

at his chum

growled. Paul flushed and

s?" he demanded. Neil realized his mistake and, wit

ok his head silently. Then, realizing that Paul was quite capable, in his present fit of st

ecessary to decide to-night. Perhaps we had both better take a day or two t

sitated, but then ans

f possible, let me hear your decision

said Paul, "I don't see any use

ept up to them as the school band, followed by a hos

e's your coat. Good-night, sir, good-night." He was holding the door open and smiling politely. Paul, scowling, arose and shook hands with the Robinson emissary. Neil kept up a steady stream of talk, and his chu

but"--with a slight smile--"the other chap was too smart

s who with excited faces and waving caps and flags informed the starlight winter sky over and over th

llage and out to the field many times in past years, and bonfires have flared and speeches have been made by players and faculty, and all very much as

ole matter of Brill's proposition. But Neil hadn't, and presently,

et that fellow B

ul began to look sulky again. "Seems a decent sort, I t

relessly. "There's only one

questioned Pa

err

ong with h

t's shady, to say the least. Who ever heard of a decent college off

hem do," g

letics are in; the papers have been full of it for two years. Their center rush this fall, Harden, just went there to play on the team, and everybo

kier and crankier every day. I'll bet you're

d, but kept

nything of the sor

hat way," m

est of its class and its athletics are honest. If you play on the Erskine team you'll be somebody, and folks won't hint that you're receiving money or free scholarships or something for doing it. And as for Br

ve got lots of good players at Erskine, and you and

't wan

has the faculty after him all the time about studies he can't do decent work on the te

into the flames. So far he had lost, but he had one more

ay on her team under the conditions offe

y away, then," an

ton afterward, and if I met Gardiner or 'Whe

ut a little fluffy angel, aren't you? And I suppose I'm not good enough

uably, "if you accept Br

ph!" he gathered up his clothing and disappeared into the bedroom. Neil turned and smiled at the flames and, finding his own apparel, followed. Noth

ight,"

ht," grow

as his head touched the pillow. It seemed hours later, though in reality but some

What?" h

didn't know you were asleep. I only wanted to say--to t