Baseball Joe, Home Run King; or, The Greatest Pitcher and Batter on Record

ng a surprise, his success surp

bbub of delighted cries, as four figures started up from the table and lau

im!" The names were repeated in quick succes

le Clara had thrown her arms about his neck and his father was attempting to g

BT OF THE WARMTH

Jim feel how delighted they were that he had come along with Joe. In Clara's eyes especially there was a look that Jim hoped he read aright. H

about, and in a short time fresh coffee and hot biscuits and bacon and eggs were set before them in tempting profusion. Then while they ate like famished wolves, the others, who had been just finishing breakfast when they

coming, Joe," said Mrs. Matson. "Then we co

hing at the same time the bewitching way in which Mabel was pouring him another cup

bserved Jim, his own appetite ke

pause in the conversation. "The last time you came home you looked like a fashion plate. But now your shirt front is wrinkled, your

hed Mabel gaily, little thinking how near

herly heart was q

she inquired, looking anxiously at her son, who after one glare at the sist

im no recourse except to tell her a part of th

d we went through a fence and into a little stream at the side of the road. Jim and I got wet, but after we got over bein

clasping her hands together nervously. "You must be more care

g his hand affectionately over hers. "Only the g

de light of it, making a joke out of their plight and their visit to the tai

s there was no servant in the simple little household the girls flew around to clear the table, while Joe had a chance for a quiet talk with his

had settled down in a cosy corner of the living room. "It

ble with my breathing whenever I go up or down stairs. But I'll b

r hand. "Why don't you let me get you a maid to help out with the work? Th

wash woman. There isn't much to be done in this little house, and Clara is the dearest girl. If I did what she wanted, I'd just fold my h

nything to say about it," replied Joe. "I'm going to put

ted and flustered at the bo

carried off her feet in that way. A girl wants to get her trousseau ready. And then, too, she'll want

idently, though his masculine assurance had be

looking more lovely, Joe thought, than he had ever seen her before. Mrs. Matson lingered only a moment longer,

d Joe that he was too greedy and laughingly bade him be sensible, she was more rosy and

utting his mother's p

good-by to McRae after the World Tour was

Mabel's che

much nonsense,

jogging her memory. "Wasn'

asked Mabel, though she

He said I'd soon be hearing wed

hiding her face on Joe's should

very soon, dearest," said Joe tende

p with a li

morrow!" she repeated. "

sked Joe with mas

arried in my own home. What would my family think? What would my friends think? It would look like a r

h she softened her refusal with lover-like endearments, was set in her convictions, and Joe at last was forc

be married there, but although that would have taken away one of her arguments,

w to travel so far, and it would break her heart if she we

in dismay. "Have I g

d to get away from your club. In any case, our honeymoon trip would have to be very short. Then, too, if I traveled about the circuit with you, you'd hav

in the way that Joe liked bes

ssed that brought him nearer to the day when he would have to rejoin his team.

g to beat very fast when she heard the step and saw the face of the handsome young athlete. The prospects were very good

roll. They would start out from the house together and walk down the village street, with only a f

rt utterly. Yet there was a faint something, a mysterious impression to which he could scarcely give a name, tha

e forced, when she saw that he was studying her and seeking to learn what troubled her. At times she would cling to him as though she feared he was to be taken from

Matson home. Mabel, who happened to be in the hall at the time, opened the door. Ther

ggi

ab

e close behind her came Reggie Varley, her brother, the same old Reggie, monocle, cane, lisp, English cl