The Boys of Columbia High on the Gridiron : or, the Struggle for the Silver Cup

as to stop at the post-office. There's a late mail comes in after the

er, quickly, as he glanced at Ralp

ny day now, unless the very worst has happened, and they're all los

ked his friend, as they turned the co

ote me from there that he had just missed Mr. Arnold Musgrove and

lorer. You told me she was intending to do something that few strong men had ever attempted," rema

ompanying bank notes to the extent of fifty dollars, and telling him that a friend, knowing of his great ambition to get an edu

hrough a lawyer in New York, really an uncle of young Allen. Then, later on, it was fou

with the lawyer, Mr. Arnold Musgrove, must be an uncle of t

was not dead, as she believed, but could be restored to her. And, as Ralph had just said, the legal

cross China, skirting Thibet, and aiming to head northeast, so as to pass through a portion of Siberia, and after that reach

s daily disappointment. Still, Frank could see the look of pain that flashed

Ralph long to take a bath, and get into his ordinary clothes, aft

strange actions of Minnie, it was very plai

she meant," Ralph was saying to himself, as he sat opposite his chum at the table, and notic

t the other would not like any me

r has had anything to do with it, I'm sorry for him, that's all. Once Frank makes up his mind that

here was something worrying her, too, and the strange thought came

e possible?" was the questio

find out the truth. Helen had gone upstairs, on some small excuse. He was sur

onder if I could guess. Is it about Minnie?" he asked, gently, for Fra

at him in

ver did you guess

ading home from the athletic field this evening. She and Dottie Warren were in the carriag

though I tried in vain to remember any cause; but since she chooses to include all my family in her

tely. "If I did, I'd apologize decently, and have it over with, whether she accepted it or not. But Ralph su

is you have in mind. That wouldn't be the first time Lef Seller

led him. If I could only get proof that he's been telling yarns about me, I'd

I just turned away and came straight home. I think she called out after me, but I wouldn't turn my head an inch. I shall decline to

ph was chatting with Mr. Allen, always deeply interes

nown parties. Each time when he came back he would be smiling in a way that mystified his f

struggle, must have no end of difficulties to straighten out; and doubt

the dreadful shock her feelings had sustained whe

joined their voices in many of the school son

my little den," remarked Ralph, at last; for

minutes," said Fr

e up to something or ot

at's all," retur

ng for

!" as three distinct knocks sou

they were again in the little den Frank called his sanctum, where he kept all his belo

d now it's safe for you to go home," was

, as a light dawned upon his comprehension, he

, do you, Frank? Well, of all the pranks, this certainly takes the cake! What do you think, that they'r

h of skunks after their own stripe, and waylay a fellow they hate, they lose no time about it. There's only one more day between no

a! ha!" suggested Ralph; "though I hate to crawl that way fro

were treated to a dose of their own medicine. They need a good sound licking, and I give you my word for it, they're due for

quired Ralph, still laughing at the a

ky Wallace, for one; Buster Billings, for

I'll be well protected on my journey

elonging to the team, if possible; for they want all the practice they can get.

nk, when I'd be willing to go anywhere with j

a sign of our crowd as you walk along, whistling and seeming to be unsuspicious. But at the first sign of trouble, lift your sweet voice and sing out the r

loughby believes I ought to play with the regulars, and any hurt to one is an injury to all, I'll accept the guard of hon

ank would say; and with th

tentatiously bade his visitor good-night, and Ralph sa

glimpse of several flitting figures, Ralph walked bravely on his way, wh

se to the thoroughfare, and this fact made it a splendid hiding place for anyone so inclined. There was a legend told of a p

ill-omened place. Ralph, however, kept on at his customary pace, still wh

referee's whistle on the football gridiron. Dark figures immediately sprang up close by, a

ense, and at the same time shouted out the call for ass