Rival Pitchers of Oakdale

t branches of the elm that rose above his head; but, truth to tell, the boy's ears were deaf to the notes of the bird, and his eyes were being turned alternately along Middle S

l care, but looking, if possible, a li

a trifle fretfully. "You said you'd be around by nine; it's

that jaunt to Barville was too much for me; though, to tell the truth, I'm a rotten poor sleeper anyhow. I wake up at the slightest noise in the night, and, having some nerves of my own, usually get a

is," said Roy, "that

t way; smoking doesn't have anything to do with it. Besides,

o say that; I'd ha

y, notwithstanding. Well, chum, how are you fixed? Did you make a raise so that you can bet a l

nd apprehensively toward the hou

Why

nything about it," whispered Hooker.

into High Street, coming final

the church, where no one w

bert. "To watch you manoeuvre, one might get the fancy that yo

differently from me, and you can't seem to understand my position. You don't belong in Oa

p," nodde

I've got to be careful about some things.

lingly, "that you're particularly popular

inst my own school team. You can do it, for you say you don't expect to stay here more

xistence. I've had more than one stormy session with the h

et and looking around, as if apprehensive that they were being watched. "I

can be of anything in this old wo

e this money. I can't afford

of pure friendliness, nothing else; and you must remember what

ney on baseball." Roy produced a closely folded little wad of bills and some loose change. "Here's all I have," he went on. "I'm go

e an even five," said Herbert

ent. I'll have to pay admission to the game, too, as lon

iver. Well, if necessary, I'll make that u

ed Hooker, again

e's taking a chance, whether he is or not. Where did you get--" He stopped short, suddenly fancying it best not to inquire

ncing at his handsome watch. "It's getting near that time. Come

r. "I believe I'd better keep away

ting another cigarette. "I've got to g

here he watched the Oakdale nine at practice. At times he smiled with a supercilious air of amusement, and esp

taking a turn at the bat, base running being cut out, howev

hree times in succession, and relinquish

l got 'em peeled; everybody has. Sanger'll have

"You all seem to think this game is going to be a cinch for Oakdal

turning on him. "Listen to So

d Herbert, not a whit abashed. "In fact, I believe it

of peanuts," gur

such recklessness. I'v

sneered Site Crane. "He wants

ession that Barville will beat us, Ra

s got a surprise for you. I'm not supposed to mention it, but I can't

Springer. "A friend of yours, eh? Well, if he knows as much abo

if I can find anybody who has sand

u a dollar,"

tter than that? I've got fifteen long green

n dollars was a lot of money, and it seemed doubtful if any other individual in the cr

ttered Crane. "I'd go him. It wo

moment he called some others from the gathering near Herbert. There was more whispering and not

got fifteen dollars you want to bet on Barville, meet me at

a little thin blue smoke. "I'll be there with m