ThatnighttheboysplannedtheirfirstjobontheRube。WehadorderedaspecialPullmanfortraveltoToronto，andwhenIgottothedepotinthemorning，thePullmanwasawhiteflutteringmassofsatinribbons。Also，therewasabrassband，andthousandsofbaseballfans，andbarrelsofoldfoot—gear。TheRubeandNanarrivedinacabandwereimmediatelymobbed。
Thecrowdroared，thebandplayed，theenginewhistled，thebellclanged;andtheairwasfullofconfettiandslippers，andshowersofricelikehailpatteredeverywhere。AsomewhatdishevelledbrideandgroomboardedthePullmanandbreathlesslyhidinastateroom。Thetrainstarted，andthecrowdgaveonelastrousingcheer。OldSpearsyelledfromthebackplatform：
``Fellers，an’fans，youneedn’tworrynoneaboutleavin’theRubean’hisbridetothetendermerciesofthegang。Ahundredyearsfromnowpeoplewilltalkaboutthishoneymoonbaseballtrip。Waittillwecomeback——an’say，jesttoputyouwise，nomatterwhatelsehappens，we’recomin’backinfirstplace！’’
ItwassurelyamerrypartyinthatPullman。
ThebridalcoupleemergedfromtheirhidingplaceandheldasortofreceptioninwhichtheRubeappearedshyandfrightened，andNanresembledajoyous，flutteringbirdingray。Ididnotseeifshekissedeverymanontheteam，butshekissedmeasifshehadbeenwantingtodoitforages。
MillykissedtheRube，andsodidtheotherwomen，tohisinfiniteembarrassment。Nan’seffectuponthatcrowdwasmostsingular。Shewassweetnessandcapriceandjoypersonified。
Wesettleddownpresentlytosomethingapproachingorder，andI，forone，withverykeenearsandalerteyes，becauseIdidnotwanttomissanything。
``Iseethelambsa—gambolin’，’’observedMcCall，inavoicelouderthanwasnecessarytoconveyhismeaningtoMullaney，hispartnerintheseat。
``Yes，itdoseemasiftherewasjoyaboundin’
hereabouts，’’repliedMulwithfervor。
``It’smorespring—timethansummer，’’saidAshwell，``an’everythinginnatureisrunnin’inpairs。Therearethesheepan’thecattlean’thebirds。Iseetwokingfishersfishin’overhere。
An’there’sacoupleofhoney—beesmakin’honey。
Oh，honey，an’byGeorge，ifthereain’ttwobutterfliesfoldin’theirwingsroundeachother。Seethedandelionskissin’inthefield！’’
ThenthestaidCaptainSpearsspokeupwithanappearanceofsincerityandatonethatwasnothingshortofremarkable。
``Reggie，seethesunshineasleepuponyonbank。Ain’titlovely？An’thatwhitecloudsailin’thitheramidtheblue——howspontaneous！
Joyisa—broado’erallthisboo—tifullandtoday——Oh，yes！An’love’swingshovero’erthelittlelambsan’thebullfrogsinthepondan’thedickybirdsinthetrees。Whatsweetnesstolieinthegrass，thelapofbounteousearth，eatin’applesintheGardenofEden，an’chasin’awaythesnakesan’dreamin’ofThee，Sweet—h—e—a—r—t————’’
SpearswassingingwhenhegotsofarandtherewasnotellingwhathemighthavedoneifMullaney，unabletostandtheagony，hadnotjabbedapininhim。Butthatonlymadewayfortheeffortsoftheotherboys，eachofwhomtriedtooutdotheotherinpokingfunattheRubeandNan。Thebigpitcherwastoogloriouslyhappytonotemuchofwhatwentonaroundhim，butwhenitdawneduponhimhegrewredandwhitebyturns。
Nan，however，wasmorethanequaltotheoccasion。PresentlyshesmiledatSpears，suchasmile！Thecaptainlookedasifhehadjustpartakenofanintoxicatingwine。Withaheightenedcolorinhercheeksandadangerousflashinherroguisheyes，NanfavoredMcCallwithalook，whichwasasmuchastosaythatsherememberedhimwithadearsadness。Shemadeeyesateveryfellowinthecar，andthenbringingbackhergazetotheRube，asifgloryingincomparison，shenestledhercurlyblackheadonhisshoulder。Hegentlytriedtomoveher;butitwasnotpossible。
Nanknewhowtomeettheridiculeofhalfadozenoldlovers。Onebyonetheyburiedthemselvesinnewspapers，andfinallyMcCall，foronceutterlybeaten，showedawhitefeather，andsankbackoutofsightbehindhisseat。
Theboysdidnotrecoverfromthatshockuntillateintheafternoon。AsitwasaphysicalimpossibilityforNantorestherheadalldayuponherhusband’sbroadshoulder，theboystowarddinnertimecameoutoftheirjealoustrance。I
heardthemplottingsomething。Whendinnerwascalled，abouthalfofmyparty，includingthebrideandgroom，wentatonceintothedining—car。
Timethereflewbyswiftly。Andlater，whenwewereoncemoreinourPullman，andIhadgotteninterestedinagameofcardswithMillyandStringerandhiswife，theRubecamemarchinguptomewithaveryredface。
``Con，Ireckonsomeoftheboyshavestolenmy——ourgrips，’’saidhe。
``What？’’Iasked，blankly。
Heexplainedthatduringhisabsenceinthedining—carsomeonehadenteredhisstateroomandstolenhisgripandNan’s。IhastenedatoncetoaidtheRubeinhissearch。Theboyssworebyeverythingunderandbeyondthesuntheyhadnotseenthegrips;theyappearedverymuchgrievedatthelossandpretendedtohelpinsearchingthePullman。Atlast，withtheassistanceofaporter，wediscoveredthemissinggripsinanupperberth。TheRubecarriedthemofftohisstateroomandweknewsoonfromhisuncomplimentaryremarksthatthecontentsofthesuitcaseshadbeenmixedandmanhandled。Buthedidnothuntforthejokers。
WearrivedatTorontobeforedaylightnextmorning，andremainedinthePullmanuntilseveno’clock。Whenwegotout，itwasdiscoveredthattheRubeandNanhadstolenamarchuponus。
Wetracedthemtothehotel，andfoundthematbreakfast。Afterbreakfastweformedamerrysight—seeingpartyandrodealloverthecity。
Thatafternoon，whenRaddyletTorontodownwiththreehitsandtheboysplayedamagnificentgamebehindhim，andwewon7to2，IknewatlastandforcertainthattheWorcesterteamhadcomeintoitsownagain。ThennextdayCairnswonaclose，excitinggame，andfollowingthat，onthethirdday，thematchlessRubetoyedwiththeTorontos。Elevenstraightgameswon！Iwasintheclouds，andneverhadIseensobeautifulalightasshoneinMilly’seyes。
FromthatdayTheHoneymoonTripoftheWorcesterBaseballClub，asthenewspapersheraldedit——wasatriumphantmarch。WewontwooutofthreegamesatMontreal，brokeevenwiththehard—fightingBisons，tookthreestraightfromRochester，andwononeandtiedoneoutofthreewithHartford。Itwouldhavebeenwonderfulballplayingforateamtoplayonhomegroundsandweweredoingthefullcircuitoftheleague。
Spearshadcalledtheturnwhenhesaidthetripwouldbeahummer。NanHurtlehadbroughtuswonderfulluck。
ButthetrickstheyplayedonWhitandhisgirl—
fanbride！
Ashwell，whowasacapitalactor，disguisedhimselfasaconductorandpretendedtotrytoejectWhitandNanfromthetrain，urgingthatlove—makingwasnotpermitted。SomeoftheteamhiredacleveryoungwomantohunttheRubeupatthehotel，andclaimoldacquaintancewithhim。PoorWhitalmostcollapsedwhentheyoungwomanthrewherarmsabouthisneckjustasNanenteredtheparlor。UpontheinstantNanbecamewildasalittletigress，andittookmuchexplanationandeloquencetoreinstateWhitinheraffections。
AnothertimeSpears，thewilyoldfox，succeededindetainingNanonthewaytothestation，andthetwomissedthetrain。AtfirsttheRubelaughedwiththeothers，butwhenStringerremarkedthathehadnoticedagrowingattachmentbetweenNanandSpears，mygreatpitcherexperiencedthefirstpangsofthegreen—eyedmonster。Wehadtoholdhimtokeephimfromjumpingfromthetrain，andittookMillyandMrs。
Stringertosoothehim。IhadtowirebacktoRochesterforaspecialtrainforSpearsandNan，andeventhenwehadtoplayhalfagamewithouttheservicesofourcaptain。
SofaruponourtripIhadbeenfortunateinsecuringcomfortableroomsandthebestoftransportationformyparty。AtHartford，however，Iencountereddifficulties。IcouldnotgetaspecialPullman，andthesleeperweenteredalreadyhadanumberofoccupants。Aftertheladiesofmypartyhadbeenassignedtoberths，itwasnecessaryforsomeoftheboystosleepdoubleinupperberths。
Itwaslatewhenwegotaboard，theberthswerealreadymadeup，andsoonwehadallretired。
InthemorningveryearlyIwasawakenedbyadisturbance。Itsoundedlikeasqueal。Iheardanastonishedexclamation，anothersqueal，thepatteringoflittlefeet，thenhoarseuproaroflaughterfromtheballplayersintheupperberths。
Followingthatcamelow，excitedconversationbetweentheporterandsomebody，thenanangrysnortfromtheRubeandthethudofhisheavyfeetintheaisle。Whattookplaceafterthatwasguess—workforme。ButIgatheredfromtheroarsandbawlsthattheRubewasaftersomeoftheboys。Ipokedmyheadbetweenthecurtainsandsawhimdiggingintotheberths。
``Where’sMcCall？’’heyelled。
Macwasnowhereinthatsleeper，judgingfromthevehementdenials。ButtheRubekeptondiggingandproddingintheupperberths。
``I’ma—goin’tolickyou，Mac，soIreckonyou’dbettershowup，’’shoutedtheRube。
Thebigfellowwasmadasahornet。Whenhegottomehegraspedmewithhisgreatfence—
railsplittinghandsandIcriedoutwithpain。
``Say！Whit，letup！Mac’snothere……
What’swrong？’’
``I’llshowyouwhenIfindhim。’’AndtheRubestalkedondowntheaisle，atragicallycomicfigureinhispajamas。InhissearchforMachepriedintoseveralupperberthsthatcontainedoccupantswhowerenotballplayers，andtheseprotestedinaffright。ThentheRubebegantoinvestigatethelowerberths。Arowofheadsprotrudedinabobbinglinefrombetweenthecurtainsoftheupperberths。
``Here，youIndian！Don’tyoulookinthere！
That’smywife’sberth！’’yelledStringer。
Bogart，too，evincedgreatexcitement。
``Hurtle，keepoutoflowereightorI’llkillyou，’’heshouted。
WhattheRubemighthavedonetherewasnotelling，butashegraspedacurtain，hewasinterruptedbyashriekfromsomewomanassuredlynotofourparty。
``Getout！youhorridwretch！Help！Porter！
Help！Conductor！’’
Instantlytherewasadeafeningtumultinthecar。Whenithadsubsidedsomewhat，andIconsideredIwouldbesafe，Idescendedfrommyberthandmademywaytothedressingroom。
SprawledovertheleatherseatwastheRubepommellingMcCallwithheartygoodwill。Iwouldhaveinterfered，haditnotbeenforMac’sdemeanor。Hewashalffrightened，halfangry，andutterlyunabletodefendhimselforevenresist，becausehewaslaughing，too。
``Dog—goneit！Whit——Ididn’t——doit！IswearitwasSpears！Stopthumpin’menow——orI’llgetsore……Youhearme！Itwasn’tme，Itellyou。Cheeseit！’’
ForallhisprotestingMacreceivedagoodthumping，andIdoubtednotintheleastthathedeservedit。Thewonderoftheaffair，however，wasthefactthatnooneappearedtoknowwhathadmadetheRubesofurious。Theporterwouldnottell，andMacwasstrangelyreticent，thoughhissmilewasonetomakeafellowexceedinglysuresomethingoutoftheordinaryhadbefallen。
ItwasnotuntilIwashavingbreakfastinProvidencethatIlearnedthetruecauseofRube’sconduct，andMillyconfidedittome，insistingonstrictconfidence。
``Ipromisednottotell，’’shesaid。``Nowyoupromiseyou’llnevertell。’’
``Well，Connie，’’wentonMilly，whenIhadpromised，``itwasthefunniestthingyet，butitwashorridofMcCall。Yousee，theRubehaduppersevenandNanhadlowerseven。Earlythismorning，aboutdaylight，Nanawokeverythirstyandgotuptogetadrink。Duringherabsence，probably，butanywaysometimelastnight，McCallchangedthenumberonhercurtain，andwhenNancamebacktonumbersevenofcourseshealmostgotinthewrongberth。’’
``NowondertheRubepunchedhim！’’Ideclared。
``Iwishweweresafehome。Something’llhappenyetonthistrip。’’
IwasfaithfultomypromisetoMilly，butthesecretleakedoutsomewhere;perhapsMactoldit，andbeforethegamethatdayalltheplayersknewit。TheRube，havingrecoveredhisgoodhumor，mindeditnotintheleast。Hecouldnothavefeltill—willforanylengthoftime。Everythingseemedtogetbackintosmoothrunningorder，andtheHoneymoonTripbadefairtowindupbeautifully。
But，somehoworother，andaboutsomethingunknowntotherestofus，theRubeandNanquarreled。Itwastheirfirstquarrel。MillyandItriedtopatchitupbutfailed。
WelostthefirstgametoProvidenceandwonthesecond。Thenextday，aSaturday，wasthelastgameofthetrip，anditwasRube’sturntopitch。SeveraltimesduringthefirsttwodaystheRubeandNanabouthalfmadeuptheirquarrel，onlyintheendtofalldeeperintoit。
ThenthelaststrawcameinafoolishmoveonthepartofwilfulNan。ShehappenedtomeetHenderson，herformeradmirer，andinaflashshetookupherflirtationwithhimwhereshehadleftoff。
``Don’tgotothegamewithhim，Nan，’’I
pleaded。``It’sasillythingforyoutodo。Ofcourseyoudon’tmeananything，excepttotormentWhit。Butcutitout。Thegangwillmakehimmiserableandwe’lllosethegame。There’snotellingwhatmighthappen。’’
``I’msupremelyindifferenttowhathappens，’’
shereplied，witharebellioustossofherblackhead。``IhopeWhitgetsbeaten。’’
ShewenttothegamewithHendersonandsatinthegrandstand，andtheboysspiedthemoutandtoldtheRube。Hedidnotbelieveitatfirst，butfinallysawthem，lookeddeeplyhurtandoffended，andthengrewangry。Butthegong，soundingatthatmoment，drewhisattentiontohisbusinessoftheday，topitch。
Hisworkthatdayremindedmeofthefirstgameheeverpitchedforme，uponwhichoccasionCaptainSpearsgotthebestoutofhimbymakinghimangry。ForseveralinningsProvidencewashelplessbeforehisdelivery。Thensomethinghappenedthatshowedmeacrisiswasnear。Awagofafanyelledfromthebleachers。
``HoneymoonRube！’’
Thiscrywastakenupbythedelightedfansanditrolledaroundthefield。ButtheRubepitchedon，harderthanever。Thentheknowingbleacheritewhohadstartedthecrychangeditsomewhat。
``Nanny’sRube！’’heyelled。
This，too，wenttherounds，andstilltheRube，thoughredintheface，preservedhistemperandhispitchingcontrol。AllwouldhavebeenwellifBudWiler，comedianoftheProvidenceteam，hadnothituponawaytorattleRube。
``Nanny’sGoat！’’heshoutedfromthecoachinglines。EveryProvidenceplayertookitup。
TheRubewasnotproofagainstthat。Heyelledsofiercelyatthem，andglaredsofuriously，andtoweredsoformidably，thattheyceasedforthemoment。ThenheletdrivewithhisfaststraightballandhitthefirstProvidencebatterintheribs。Hiscomradeshadtohelphimtothebench。TheRubehitthenextbatterontheleg，andjudgingfromthecrackoftheball，Ifanciedthatplayerwouldwalklameforseveraldays。
TheRubetriedtohitthenextbatterandsenthimtofirstonballs。Thereafteritbecameadodgingcontestwithhonorsaboutequalbetweenpitcherandbatters。TheProvidenceplayersstormedandthebleachersroared。ButIwouldnottaketheRubeoutandthegamewentonwiththeRubeforcinginruns。
Withthescoreatie，andthreemenonbasesoneoftheplayersonthebenchagainyelled``Nanny’sGoat！’’
StraightasastringtheRubeshottheballatthisfellowandboundedafterit。Thecrowdroseinanuproar。Thebaserunnersbegantoscore。
Ileftmybenchandranacrossthespace，butnotintimetocatchtheRube。IsawhimhittwoorthreeoftheProvidencemen。Thenthepolicemengottohim，andarealfightbroughtthebigaudienceintothestampingmelee。BeforetheRubewascollaredIsawatleastfourblue—coatsonthegrass。
Thegamebrokeup，andthecrowdspilleditselfinstreamsoverthefield。Excitementranhigh。ItriedtoforcemywayintothemasstogetattheRubeandtheofficers，butthiswasimpossible。IfearedtheRubewouldbetakenfromtheofficersandtreatedwithviolence，soIwaitedwiththesurgingcrowd，endeavoringtogetnearer。Soonwewereinthestreet，anditseemedasifallthestandshademptiedtheiryellingoccupants。
Atrolleycarcamealongdownthestreet，splittingthemassofpeopleanddrivingthemback。
AdozenpolicemensummarilybundledtheRubeupontherearendofthecar。Someoftheseofficersboardedthecar，andsomeremainedinthestreettobeatoffthevengefulfans。
Isawsomeonethrustforwardafranticyoungwoman。Theofficersstoppedher，thensuddenlyhelpedheronthecar，justasIstarted。I
recognizedNan。ShegrippedtheRubewithbothhandsandturnedawhite，fearfulfaceupontheangrycrowd。
TheRubestoodinthegraspofhiswifeandthepolicemen，andhelookedlikearuffledlion。
Heshookhisbigfistandbawledinfar—reachingvoice：
``Icanlickyouall！’’
Tomyinfiniterelief，thetrolleygatheredmomentumandsafelypassedoutofdanger。ThelastthingImadeoutwasNanpressingclosetotheRube’sside。ThatmomentsawtheirreconciliationandmyjoythatitwastheendoftheRube’sHoneymoon。
THERUBE’SWATERLOO
ItwasaboutthesixthinningthatIsuspectedtheRubeofweakening。Forthatmatterhehadnotpitchedanythingresemblinghisusualbrandofbaseball。ButtheRubehaddevelopedintosuchawonderintheboxthatittooktimeforhislet—downtodawnuponme。AlsoittookatipfromRaddy，whosatwithmeonthebench。
``Con，theRubeisn’thimselftoday，’’saidRadbourne。``Hismind’snotonthegame。Heseemshurriedandflustered，too。Ifhedoesn’texplodepresently，I’madubatcallin’theturn。’’
Raddywasthebestjudgeofapitcher’scondition，physicalormental，intheEasternLeague。
ItwasaSaturdayandwewereontheroadandfinishingupaserieswiththeRochesters。Eachteamhadwonandlostagame，and，asIwasclimbingclosetotheleadersinthepennantrace，IwantedthethirdanddecidinggameofthatRochesterseries。TheusualbigSaturdaycrowdwasinattendance，noisy，demonstrativeandexacting。
InthissixthinningthefirstmanupforRochesterhadfliedtoMcCall。ThenhadcomethetwoplayssignificantofRube’sweakening。
Hehadhitonebatterandwalkedanother。Thiswassufficient，consideringthescorewasthreetooneinourfavor，tobringtheaudiencetoitsfeetwithahowling，stampingdemandforruns。
``Spearsiswiseallright，’’saidRaddy。
IwatchedthefoxyoldcaptainwalkovertotheRubeandtalktohimwhileherested，areassuringhandonthepitcher’sshoulder。ThecrowdyelleditsdisapprovalandUmpireBatescalledoutsharply：
``Spears，getbacktothebag！’’
``Now，MisterUmpire，ain’tIhurrin’allI
can？’’queriedSpearsasheleisurelyambledbacktofirst。
TheRubetossedalong，dampweltofhairbackfromhisbigbrowandnervouslytoedtherubber。
Inotedthatheseemedtoforgettherunnersonbasesanddeliveredtheballwithoutglancingateitherbag。Ofcoursethisresultedinadoublesteal。Theballwentwild——almostawildpitch。
``Steadyup，oldman，’’calledGreggbetweentheyellsofthebleachers。HeheldhismittsquareovertheplatefortheRubetopitchto。Againthelongtwirlertookhisswing，andagaintheballwentwild。ClancyhadtheRubeintheholenowandthesituationbegantogrowserious。
TheRubedidnottakehalfhisusualdeliberation，andofthenexttwopitchesoneofthemwasaballandtheotherastrikebygraceoftheumpire’sgenerosity。Clancyrappedthenextone，anabsurdlyslowpitchfortheRubetouse，andbothrunnersscoredtotheshrilltuneofthehappybleachers。
IsawSpearsshakehisheadandlooktowardthebench。Itwasplainwhatthatmeant。
``Raddy，IoughttotaketheRubeout，’’Isaid，``butwhomcanIputin？Youworkedyesterday——
Cairns’armissore。It’sgottobenursed。
AndHenderson，thatladies’manIjustsigned，isnotinuniform。’’
``I’llgoin，’’repliedRaddy，instantly。
``Notonyourlife。’’IhadashardatimekeepingRadbournefromoverworkingasIhadingettingenoughworkoutofsomeotherplayers。
``IguessI’lllettheRubetakehismedicine。I
hatetolosethisgame，butifwehaveto，wecanstandit。I’mcurious，anyway，toseewhat’sthematterwiththeRube。Maybehe’llsettledownpresently。’’
ImadenosignthatIhadnoticedSpears’
appealtothebench。Andmyaggressiveplayers，nodoubtseeingthesituationasIsawit，sangouttheirvariouscallsofcheertotheRubeandofdefiancetotheirantagonists。ClancystoleofffirstbasesofarthattheRube，catchingsomebody’swarningtoolate，madeabalkandtheumpiresenttherunnerontosecond。TheRubenowplainlyshowedpainfulevidencesofbeingrattled。
HecouldnotlocatetheplatewithoutslowingupandwhenhedidthataRochesterplayerwallopedtheball。Prettysoonhepitchedasifhedidnotcare，andbutforthefastfieldingoftheteambehindhimtheRochesterswouldhavescoredmorethantheeightrunsitgot。WhentheRubecameintothebenchIaskedhimifhewassickandatfirsthesaidhewasandthenthathewasnot。SoIlethimpitchtheremaininginnings，asthegamewaslostanyhow，andwewalkedoffthefieldabadlybeatenteam。
ThatnightwehadtohurryfromthehoteltocatchatrainforWorcesterandwehaddinnerinthedining—car。Severalofmyplayers’wiveshadcomeoverfromWorcestertomeetus，andwereinthedining—carwhenIentered。Iobservedaprettygirlsittingatoneofthetableswithmynewpitcher，Henderson。
``Say，Mac，’’IsaidtoMcCall，whowaswithme，``isHendersonmarried？’’
``Naw，buthelookslikehewantedtobe。Hewasinthegrandstandtodaywiththatgirl。’’
``Whoisshe？Oh！alittlepeach！’’
AsecondglanceatHenderson’scompanionbroughtthiscomplimentfrommeinvoluntarily。
``Con，you’llgetitasbadastherestofthismushybunchofballplayers。We’reallstuckonthatkid。ButsinceHendersoncameshe’sbeenafrosttoallofus。An’it’sputtheRubeinthedumps。’’
``Who’sthegirl？’’
``That’sNanBrown。ShelivesinWorcesteran’isthecraziestgirlfanIeverseen。Flirt！
Well，she’sgotthemallbeat。SomebodyintroducedtheRubetoher。Hehasbeenmooneyeversince。’’
Thatwasenoughtowhetmycuriosity，andI
favoredMissBrownwithmorethanoneglanceduringdinner。WhenwereturnedtotheparlorcarItookadvantageoftheopportunityandremarkedtoHendersonthathemightintroducehismanager。Hecomplied，butnotwithamiablegrace。
SoIchattedwithNanBrown，andstudiedher。
Shewasapretty，laughing，coquettishlittleminxandquitebaseballmad。Ihadmetmanygirlfans，butnonesoenthusiasticasNan。Butshewaswholesomeandsincere，andIlikedher。
BeforeturninginIsatdownbesidetheRube。
Hewasveryquietandhisfacedidnotencouragecompany。Butthatdidnotstopme。
``Hello，Whit;haveasmokebeforeyougotobed？’’Iaskedcheerfully。
Hescarcelyheardmeandmadenomovetotaketheprofferedcigar。Allatonceitstruckmethattherusticsimplicitywhichhadcharacterizedhimhadvanished。
``Whit，oldfellow，whatwaswrongtoday？’’
Iasked，quietly，withmyhandonhisarm。
``Mr。Connelly，Iwantmyrelease，IwanttogobacktoRickettsville，’’herepliedhurriedly。
ForthespaceofafewsecondsIdidsometallthinking。Thesituationsuddenlybecamegrave。
IsawthepennantfortheWorcestersfading，dimming。
``Youwanttogohome？’’Ibeganslowly。
``Why，Whit，Ican’tkeepyou。Iwouldn’ttryifyoudidn’twanttostay。ButI’lltellyouconfidentially，ifyouleavemeatthisstageI’mruined。’’
``How’sthat？’’heinquired，keenlylookingatme。
``Well，Ican’twinthepennantwithoutyou。IfIdowinitthere’sabigbonusforme。IcanbuythehouseIwantandgetmarriedthisfallifIcapturetheflag。You’vemetMilly。Youcanimaginewhatyourpitchingmeanstomethisyear。That’sall。’’
Heavertedhisfaceandlookedoutofthewindow。
Hisbigjawquivered。
``Ifit’sthat——why，I’llstay，Ireckon，’’hesaidhuskily。
ThatmomentboundWhitHurtleandFrankConnellyintoafarcloserrelationthantheonebetweenplayerandmanager。Isatsilentforawhile，listeningtothedrowsytalkoftheotherplayersandtherushandroarofthetrainasitspedonintothenight。
``Thankyou，oldchap，’’Ireplied。``Itwouldn’thavebeenlikeyoutothrowmedownatthisstage。Whit，you’reintrouble？’’
``Yes。’’
``CanIhelpyou——inanyway？’’’
``Ireckonnot。’’
``Don’tbetoosureofthat。I’maprettywiseguy，ifIdosayitmyself。Imightbeabletodoasmuchforyouasyou’regoingtodoforme。’’
ThesightofhisfaceconvincedmethatIhadtakenawrongtack。ItalsoshowedmehowdeepWhit’stroublereallywas。Ibadehimgoodnightandwenttomyberth，wheresleepdidnotsoonvisitme。Asaucy，sparkling—eyedwomanbarredWhitHurtle’sbaseballcareeratitsthreshold。
Womenarejustasfataltoballplayersastomeninanyotherwalkoflife。Ihadseenastrongathletegrowpalsiedjustatascornfulslight。It’sagreatworld，andthewomenrunit。SoIlayawakerackingmybrainstooutwitaprettydisorganizer;andIplottedforhersake。Married，shewouldbeoutofmischief。ForWhit’ssake，forMilly’ssake，formine，allofwhichcollectivelymeantforthesakeofthepennant，thiswouldbethesolutionoftheproblem。
IdecidedtotakeMillyintomyconfidence，andfinallyonthestrengthofthatIgottosleep。InhemorningIwenttomyhotel，hadbreakfast，attendedtomymail，andthenboardedacartogoouttoMilly’shouse。Shewaswaitingformeontheporch，dressedasIlikedtoseeher，inblueandwhite，andsheworevioletsthatmatchedthecolorofhereyes。
``Hello，Connie。Ihaven’tseenamorningpaper，butIknowfromyourfacethatyoulosttheRochesterseries，’’saidMilly，withagaylaugh。
``Iguessyes。TheRubeblewup，andifwedon’tplayaprettysmoothgame，younglady，he’llnevercomedown。’’
ThenItoldher。
``Why，Connie，Iknewlongago。Haven’tyouseenthechangeinhimbeforethis？’’
``Whatchange？’’Iaskedblankly。
``Youareaman。Well，hewasagawky，slouchy，shyfarmerboywhenhecametous。Ofcoursethecitylifeandpopularitybegantoinfluencehim。ThenhemetNan。ShemadetheRubeaworshipper。Ifirstnoticedachangeinhisclothes。Heblossomedoutinanewsuit，whitenegligee，neattieandastylishstrawhat。
Thenitwasevidenthewasmakingheroicstrugglestoovercomehisawkwardness。Itwasplainhewasstudyingandcopyingtheotherboys。
He’swonderfullyimproved，butstillshy。He’llalwaysbeshy。Connie，Whit’safinefellow，toogoodforNanBrown。’’
``But，Milly，’’Iinterrupted，``theRube’shardhit。Whyishetoogoodforher？’’
``Nanisanatural—bornflirt，’’Millyreplied。
``Shecan’thelpit。I’mafraidWhithasaslimchance。Nanmaynotseedeepenoughtolearnhisfinequalities。IfancyNantiredquicklyofhim，thoughtheonetimeIsawthemtogethersheappearedtolikehimverywell。Thisnewpitcherofyours，Henderson，isahandsomefellowandsmooth。Whitislosingtohim。Nanlikesflash，flattery，excitement。’’
``McCalltoldmetheRubehadbeendowninthemoutheversinceHendersonjoinedtheteam。
Milly，Idon’tlikeHendersonawholelot。He’snotintheRube’sclassasapitcher。WhatamI
goingtodo？Losethepennantandabigsliceofpursemoneyjustforaprettylittleflirt？’’
``Oh，Connie，it’snotsobadasthat。Whitwillcomearoundallright。’’
``Hewon’tunlesswecanpullsomewires。I’vegottohelphimwinNanBrown。Whatdoyouthinkofthatforamanager’sjob？Iguessmaybewinningpennantsdoesn’tcallfordiplomaticgeniusandcunning！ButI’llhandthemafewtricksbeforeIlose。MyfirstmovewillbetogiveHendersonhisrelease。
IleftMilly，asalways，oncemoreabletomakelightofdiscouragementsanddifficulties。
MondayIgaveHendersonhisunconditionalrelease。HecelebratedtheoccasionbyverifyingcertainrumorsIhadheardfromothermanagers。
Hegotdrunk。Buthedidnotleavetown，andI
heardthathewasnegotiatingwithProvidenceforaplaceonthatteam。
Radbournepitchedoneofhisgilt—edgedgamesthatafternoonagainstHartfordandwewon。
AndMillysatinthegrandstand，havingcontrivedbyclevernesstogetaseatnexttoNanBrown。MillyandIwereplayingavastlydeepergamethanbaseball——agamewithhearts。Butwewereplayingitwithhonestmotive，forthegoodofallconcerned，webelieved，andonthesquare。
Isneakedalooknowandthenupintothegrandstand。MillyandNanappearedtobegettingonfamously。ItwascertainthatNanwasflushedandexcited，nodoubtconsciouslyproudofbeingseenwithmyaffianced。AfterthegameIchancedtomeetthemontheirwayout。Millywinkedatme，whichwashersignthatallwasworkingbeautifully。
IhunteduptheRubeandbundledhimofftothehoteltotakedinnerwithme。Atfirsthewasglum，butafterawhilehebrightenedupsomewhattomypersistentcheerandfriendliness。
Thenwewentoutonthehotelbalconytosmoke，andthereImademyplay。
``Whit，I’mpullingastrokeforyou。Nowlistenanddon’tbeoffended。Iknowwhat’sputyouoffyourfeed，becauseIwasthesamewaywhenMillyhadmeguessing。You’velostyourheadoverNanBrown。That’snotsoterrible，thoughI
daresayyouthinkit’sacatastrophe。Becauseyou’vequit。You’veshownayellowstreak。
You’velaindown。
``Myboy，thatisn’tthewaytowinagirl。
You’vegottoscrap。MillytoldmeyesterdayhowshehadwatchedyourloveaffairswithNan，andhowshethoughtyouhadgivenupjustwhenthingsmighthavecomeyourway。Nanisalittleflirt，butshe’sallright。What’smore，shewasgettingfondofyou。Nanismeanesttothemanshelikesbest。Thewaytohandleher，Whit，istomasterher。Playhighandmighty。Gettragical。Thengrabherupinyourarms。Itellyou，Whit，it’llallcomeyourwayifyouonlykeepyournerve。I’myourfriendandsoisMilly。
We’regoingouttoherhousepresently——andNanwillbethere。’’
TheRubedrewalong，deepbreathandheldouthishand。IsensedanotherstageintheevolutionofWhitHurtle。
``IreckonI’vetakenbaseballcoachin’，’’hesaidpresently，``an’Idon’tseewhyIcan’ttakesomeotherkind。I’monlyarube，an’thingscomehardforme，butI’ma—learnin’。’’
Itwasaboutdarkwhenwearrivedatthehouse。
``Hello，Connie。You’relate。Goodevening，Mr。Hurtle。Comerightin。You’vemetMissNanBrown？Oh，ofcourse;howstupidofme！’’
ItwasatryingmomentforMillyandme。A
littlepallorshowedundertheRube’stan，buthewasmorecomposedthanIhadexpected。Nangotupfromthepiano。Shewasallinwhiteanddeliciouslypretty。Shegaveaquick，gladstartofsurprise。Whatareliefthatwastomytroubledmind！EverythinghaddependeduponarealhonestlikingforWhit，andshehadit。
MorethanonceIhadbeenproudofMilly’scleverness，butthisnightashostessandanaccompliceshewonmyeverlastingadmiration。
ShecontrivedtogivetheimpressionthatWhitwasafrequentvisitoratherhomeandverywelcome。Shebroughtouthisbestpoints，andinherskillfulhandshelostembarrassmentandawkwardness。
BeforetheeveningwasoverNanregardedWhitwithdifferenteyes，andsheneverdreamedthateverythinghadnotcomeaboutnaturally。ThenMillysomehowgotmeoutontheporch，leavingNanandWhittogether。
``Milly，you’reamarvel，thebestandsweetestever，’’Iwhispered。``We’regoingtowin。It’sacinch。’’
``Well，Connie，notthat——exactly，’’shewhisperedbackdemurely。``Butitlookshopeful。’’
Icouldnothelphearingwhatwassaidintheparlor。
``NowIcanroastyou，’’Nanwassaying，archly。
Shehadswitchedbacktoherfavoritebaseballvernacular。``YoupitchedaswellgamelastSaturdayinRochester，didn’tyou？Not！Youhadnosteam，nocontrol，andyoucouldn’thavecurvedasaucer。’’
``Nan，whatcouldyouexpect？’’wasthecoolreply。``Yousatupinthestandwithyourhandsomefriend。IreckonIcouldn’tpitch。Ijustgavethegameaway。’’
``Whit！——Whit！————’’
ThenIwhisperedtoMillythatitmightbediscreetforustomovealittlewayfromthevicinity。
ItwasontheseconddayafterwardthatIgotachancetotalktoNan。Shereachedthegroundsearly，beforeMillyarrived，andIfoundherinthegrandstand。TheRubewasdownonthecardtopitchandwhenhestartedtowarmupNansaidconfidentlythathewouldshutoutHartfordthatafternoon。
``I’msorry，Nan，butyou’rewayoff。We’ddowelltowinatall，letalonegetashutout。’’
``You’reafinemanager！’’sheretorted，hotly。
``Whywon’twewin？’’
``Well，theRube’snotingoodform。TheRube————’’
``Stopcallinghimthathorridname。’’
``Whit’snotinshape。He’snotright。He’sillorsomethingiswrong。I’mworriedsickabouthim。’’
``Why——Mr。Connelly！’’exclaimedNan。Sheturnedquicklytowardme。
Icrowdedonfullcanvasofgloomtomyalreadylongface。
``I’mserious，Nan。Thelad’soff，somehow。
He’sinmagnificentphysicaltrim，buthecan’tkeephismindonthegame。Hehaslosthishead。
I’vetalkedwithhim，reasonedwithhim，alltonogood。Heonlygoesdowndeeperinthedumps。
Somethingisterriblywrongwithhim，andifhedoesn’tbrace，I’llhavetorelease————’’
MissNanBrownsuddenlylostalittleofherrichbloom。``Oh！youwouldn’t——youcouldn’treleasehim！’’
``I’llhavetoifhedoesn’tbrace。Itmeansalottome，Nan，forofcourseIcan’twinthepennantthisyearwithoutWhitbeinginshape。ButIbelieveIwouldn’tmindthelossofthatanymorethantoseehimfalldown。Theboyisamagnificentpitcher。Ifhecanonlybebroughtaroundhe’llgotothebigleaguenextyearanddevelopintooneofthegreatestpitchersthegamehaseverproduced。Butsomehoworotherhehaslostheart。He’squit。AndI’vedonemybestforhim。He’sbeyondmenow。Whatashameitis！Forhe’sthemakingofsuchasplendidmanoutsideofbaseball。Millythinkstheworldofhim。Well，well;therearedisappointments——
wecan’thelpthem。Theregoesthegong。Imustleaveyou。Nan，I’llbetyouaboxofcandyWhitlosestoday。Isitago？’’
``Itis，’’repliedNan，withfireinhereyes。
``YougotoWhitHurtleandtellhimIsaidifhewinstoday’sgameI’llkisshim！’’
InearlybrokemyneckoverbenchesandbatsgettingtoWhitwiththatmessage。Hegulpedonce。
ThenhetightenedhisbeltandshutoutHartfordwithtwoscratchsingles。Itwasagreatexhibitionofpitching。IhadnomeanstotellwhetherornottheRubegothisrewardthatnight，butIwassohappythatIhuggedMillywithinaninchofherlife。
ButitturnedoutthatIhadbeenalittleprematureinmyelation。IntwodaystheRubewentdownintothedepthsagain，thistimecleartoChina，andNanwassittinginthegrandstandwithHenderson。TheRubelosthisnextgame，pitchinglikeaschoolboyscaredoutofhiswits。
HendersonfollowedNanlikeashadow，sothatI
hadnochancetotalktoher。TheRubelosthisnextgameandthenanother。Wewerepushedoutofsecondplace。
Ifwekeptupthatlosingstreakalittlelonger，ourhopesforthepennantweregone。IhadbeguntodespairoftheRube。Forsomeoccultreasonhescarcelyspoketome。Nanflirtedworsethanever。ItseemedtomesheflauntedherconquestofHendersoninpoorWhit’sface。
TheProvidenceballteamcametotownandpromptlysignedHendersonandannouncedhimforSaturday’sgame。CairnswonthefirstoftheseriesandRadbournelostthesecond。ItwasRube’sturntopitchtheSaturdaygameandI
resolvedtomakeonemoreefforttoputthelove—
sickswaininsomethinglikehisoldfettle。SoI
calleduponNan。
Shewassurprisedtoseeme，butreceivedmegraciously。Ifanciedherfacewasnotquitesoglowingasusual。Icamebluntlyoutwithmymission。ShetriedtofreezemebutIwouldnotfreeze。Iwasouttowinorloseandnottobelightlylaughedasideorcoldlydenied。Iplayedtomakeherangry，knowingtherealtruthofherfeelingswouldshowunderstress。
ForonceinmylifeIbecameaknockerandsaidsomeunpleasantthings——albeittheyweretrue——
aboutHenderson。ShechampionedHendersonroyally，andwhen，asalastcard，IcomparedWhit’sfinerecordwithHenderson’s，notonlyasaballplayer，butasaman，particularlyinhisreverenceforwomen，sheflashedatme：
``Whatdoyouknowaboutit？Mr。Hendersonaskedmetomarryhim。Canamandomoretoshowhisrespect？Yourfriendneversomuchashintedsuchhonorableintentions。What’smore——heinsultedme！’’TheblazeinNan’sblackeyessoftenedwithafilmoftears。Shelookedhurt。Herpridehadencounteredafall。
``Oh，no，Nan，Whitcouldn’tinsultalady，’’I
protested。
``Couldn’the？That’sallyouknowabouthim。
YouknowI——IpromisedtokisshimifhebeatHartfordthatday。SowhenhecameI——Idid。
Thenthebigsavagebegantoraveandhegrabbedmeupinhisarms。Hesmotheredme;almostcrushedthelifeoutofme。Hefrightenedmeterribly。WhenIgotawayfromhim——themonsterstoodthereandcoollysaidIbelongedtohim。I
ranoutoftheroomandwouldn’tseehimanymore。AtfirstImighthaveforgivenhimifhehadapologized——saidhewassorry，butneveraword。NowIneverwillforgivehim。’’
Ihadtomakeastrenuousefforttoconcealmyagitation。TheRubehadmostcarefullytakenmyfooladviceinthematterofwooingawoman。
WhenIhadgotaholduponmyself，IturnedtoNanwhite—hotwitheloquence。NowIwastalkingnotwhollyformyselforthepennant，butforthisboyandgirlwhowereatoddsinthatstrangestgameoflife——love。
WhatIsaidIneverknew，butNanlostherresentment，andthenherscornandindifference。
Slowlyshethawedandwarmedtomyreason，praise，whateveritwas，andwhenIstoppedshewasagaintheradiantbewilderingNanofold。
``TakeanothermessagetoWhitforme，’’shesaid，audaciously。``TellhimIadoreballplayers，especiallypitchers。TellhimI’mgoingtothegametodaytochoosethebestone。Ifhelosesthegame————’’
Sheleftthesentenceunfinished。InmystateofmindIdoubtednotintheleastthatshemeanttomarrythepitcherwhowonthegame，andsoItoldtheRube。Hemadeonewildupheavalofhisarmsandshoulders，likeaneruptingvolcano，whichprovedtomethathebelievedit，too。
WhenIgottothebenchthatafternoonIwastired。Therewasabigcrowdtoseethegame;
theweatherwasperfect;Millysatupintheboxandwavedherscorecardatme;RaddyandSpearsdeclaredwehadthegame;theRubestalkedtoandfrolikeanimplacableIndianchief——butIwasnothappyinmind。Calamitybreathedintheveryair。
Thegamebegan。McCallbeatoutabunt;AshwellsacrificedandStringerlacedoneofhisbeautifultriplesagainstthefence。Thenhescoredonahighfly。Tworuns！Worcestertrottedoutintothefield。TheRubewaswhitewithdetermination;
hehadthespeedofabulletandperfectcontrolofhisjumpballanddrop。ButProvidencehitandhadtheluck。Ashwellfumbled，Greggthrewwild。Providencetiedthescore。
Thegameprogressed，growingmoreandmoreofanightmaretome。ItwasnotWorcester’sday。Theumpirecouldnotseestraight;theboysgrumbledandfoughtamongthemselves;Spearsroastedtheumpireandwassenttothebench;
Bogarttripped，hurtinghissoreankle，andhadtobetakenout。Henderson’sslow，easyballbaffledmyplayers，andwhenheusedspeedtheylineditstraightataProvidencefielder。
Inthesixth，afteradesperaterally，wecrowdedthebaseswithonlyoneout。ThenMullaney’shardraptoleft，seeminglygoodforthreebases，waspulleddownbyStonewithonehand。Itwasawonderfulcatchandhedoubleduparunneratsecond。Againintheseventhwehadachancetoscore，onlytofailonanotherdoubleplay，thistimebytheinfield。
WhentheProvidenceplayerswereatbattheirlucknotonlyheldgoodbuttrebledandquadrupled。ThelittleTexas—leaguehitsdroppedsafelyjustoutofreachoftheinfielders。Myboyshadanoffdayinfielding。Whathorrorthatofalldaysinaseasonthisshouldbetheoneforthemtomakeerrors！
Buttheyweregame，andtheRubewasthegamestofall。Hedidnotseemtoknowwhathardluckwas，ordiscouragement，orpoorsupport。
HekepteverlastinglyhammeringtheballatthoseluckyProvidencehitters。Whatspeedhehad！Theballstreakedin，andsomebodywouldshuthiseyesandmakeasafety。ButtheRubepitched，on，tireless，irresistibly，hopeful，notforgettingtocallawordofcheertohisfielders。
Itwasoneofthosestrangegamesthatcouldnotbebetteredbyanylaborordaringorskill。
Isawitwaslostfromthesecondinning，yetsodeeplywasIconcerned，sotantalizinglydidtheplaysreelthemselvesoff，thatIgroveledthereonthebenchunabletoabidebymybaseballsense。
Theninthinningprovedbeyondashadowofdoubthowbaseballfate，incommonwithotherfates，lovedtobalancethechances，toliftupone，thentheother，tolendadeceitfulhopeonlytodashitaway。
Providencehadalmostthreetimesenoughtowin。Theteamletupinthatinningorgrewover—
confidentorcareless，andbeforeweknewwhathadhappenedsomescratchhits，andbasesonballs，anderrors，gaveusthreerunsandlefttworunnersonbases。Thedisgustedbleacherscameoutoftheirgloomandbegantowhistleandthump。TheRubehitsafely，sendinganotherrunovertheplate。McCallworkedhisoldtrick，beatingoutaslowbunt。
Basesfull，threerunstotie！WithAshwellupandoneout，thenoiseinthebleachersmountedtoahigh—pitched，shrill，continuoussound。Igotupandyelledwithallmymightandcouldnothearmyvoice。Ashwellwasadangerousmaninapinch。Thegamewasnotlostyet。Ahit，anythingtogetAshtofirst——andthenStringer！
AshlaughedatHenderson，tauntedhim，shookhisbatathimanddaredhimtoputoneover。
Hendersondidnotstandunderfire。Theballhepitchedhadnosteam。Ashcrackedit——squareonthelineintotheshortstop’shands。Thebleachersceasedyelling。
ThenStringerstrodegrimlytotheplate。Itwasahundredtoone，inthatinstance，thathewouldlosetheball。Thebleachersletoutonedeafeningroar，thenhushed。IwouldratherhavehadStringeratthebatthananyotherplayerintheworld，andIthoughtoftheRubeandNanandMilly——andhopewouldnotdie。
Stringerswungmightilyonthefirstpitchandstrucktheballwithasharp，solidbing！Itshottowardcenter，low，level，exceedinglyswift，andlikeadarkstreakwentstraightintothefielder’shands。Arodtorightorleftwouldhavemadeitahomerun。Thecrowdstrangledavictoriousyell。Icameoutofmytrance，forthegamewasoverandlost。ItwastheRube’sWaterloo。
Ihurriedhimintothedressingroomandkeptclosetohim。Helookedlikeamanwhohadlosttheonethingworthwhileinhislife。Iturnedadeafeartomyplayers，toeverybody，andhustledtheRubeoutandtothehotel。Iwantedtobenearhimthatnight。
TomyamazewemetMillyandNanasweenteredthelobby。Millyworeasweet，sympatheticsmile。Nanshonemoreradiantthanever。
Isimplystared。ItwasMillywhogotusallthroughthecorridorintotheparlor。IheardNantalking。
``Whit，youpitchedabadgamebut——’’therewastheoldteasing，arch，coquettishness——``butyouarethebestpitcher！’’
``Nan！’’
``Yes！’’
BREAKINGINTOFASTCOMPANY
Theymaysaybaseballisthesameintheminorleaguesthatitisinthebigleagues，butanyoldballplayerormanagerknowsbetter。Wherethedifferencecomesin，however，isinthegreaterexcellenceandunityofthemajorplayers，aspeed，adaring，afinishthatcanbeacquiredonlyincompetitionwithoneanother。
IthoughtofthiswhenIledmypartyintoMorrisey’sprivateboxinthegrandstandoftheChicagoAmericanLeaguegrounds。WehadcometoseetheRube’sbreakintofastcompany。
Mygreatpitcher，WhittakerHurtle，theRube，aswecalledhim，hadwontheEasternLeaguePennantformethatseason，andMorrisey，theChicagomagnate，hadboughthim。Milly，myaffianced，waswithme，lookingashappyasshewaspretty，andshewaschaperonedbyhermother，Mrs。Nelson。
Withme，also，weretwoveteransofmyteam，McCallandSpears，wholivedinChicago，andwhowouldhavetraveledafewmilestoseetheRubepitch。AndtheothermemberofmypartywasMrs。Hurtle，theRube’swife，assaucyandassparkling—eyedaswhenshehadbeenNanBrown。Todaysheworeanewtailor—madegown，newbonnet，newgloves——shesaidshehaddecoratedherselfinamannerbefittingthewifeofamajorleaguepitcher。
Morrisey’sboxwasverycomfortable，and，asIwaspleasedtonote，sosituatedthatwehadafineviewofthefieldandstands，andyetwerecomparativelysecluded。Thebleacherswerefilling。
SomeoftheChicagoplayerswereonthefieldtossingandbattingballs;theRube，however，hadnotyetappeared。
Amomentlaterametallicsoundwasheardonthestairsleadingupintothebox。Iknewitforbaseballspikedshoesclankingonthewood。
TheRube，lookingenormousinhisuniform，stalkedintothebox，knockingovertwochairsasheentered。Hecarriedafielder’sgloveinonehugefreckledhand，andabigblackbatintheother。
Nan，withmuchdignityandaverymanifestpride，introducedhimtoMrs。Nelson。
Therewasalittlechatting，andthen，uponthearrivalofManagerMorrisey，wemenretiredtothebackoftheboxtotalkbaseball。
Chicagowasinfourthplaceintheleaguerace，andhadafightingchancetobeatDetroitoutforthethirdposition。Philadelphiawasscheduledforthatday，andPhiladelphiahadagreatteam。
Itwasleadingtherace，andalmostbeyondallquestionwouldlandtheflag。Intruth，onlyonemorevictorywasneededtoclinchthepennant。
TheteamhadthreegamestoplayinChicagoanditwastowinduptheseasonwiththreeinWashington。Sixgamestoplayandonlyoneimperativelyimportanttowin！Butbaseballisuncertain，anduntilthePhiladelphianswonthatgametheywouldbeabandoffiends。
``Well，Whit，thisiswhereyoubreakin，’’I
said。``Now，tipusstraight。You’vehadmorethanaweek’srest。How’sthatarm？’’
``Grand，Con，grand！’’repliedtheRubewithhisfranksmile。``IwasalittleanxioustillI
warmedup。Butsay！I’vegotmoreupmysleevetodaythanIeverhad。’’
``That’lldoforme，’’saidMorrisey，rubbinghishands。``I’llspringsomethingontheseswelledQuakerstoday。Now，Connelly，giveHurtleoneofyouroldtalks——thelastone——andthenI’llringthegong。’’
Iaddedsomewordsofencouragement，notforgettingmyoldrusetoincitetheRubebyrousinghistemper。Andthen，asthegongrangandtheRubewasdeparting，Nansteppedforwardforhersay。Therewasalittlewhiteunderthetanonhercheek，andhereyeshadadarklingflash。
