The Rival Pitchers: A Story of College BaseballChadwick, Lester
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The Rival Pitchers: A Story of College Baseball
Chadwick, Lester
Baseball stories; College sports -- Juvenile fiction
The gymnasium had been turned into a ballroom. Around the gallery, which
contained the indoor running track, flags and bunting had been festooned,
the colors of Randall being prominent. From the center electric
chandelier long streamers of ribbon of the mingled hues of each class
were draped to the boxes that had been constructed on two sides of the
room. There was a profusion of flowers and with the soft glow of the
shaded lights the big apartment that was wont to resound to the blows of
the punching bag, the bound of the medicine ball or the patter of
running feet was most magically transformed.
Over in one corner, screened by a bank of palms, was the orchestra, the
musicians of which were tuning their instruments in thrilling chords
which always tell of joys to come.
The guests were arriving. Bewildering bevies of pretty girls floated in
with their escorts, who showed the tan and bronze of the sporting field
or the whiter hue of a "dig" who spent most of his time over his books.
Then came the chaperons, grave, dignified, in rustling silks, a strange
contrast to the light, fluffy garments worn by the younger set.
Tom felt rather lonesome as he strolled out on the waxed floor, for most
of his chums had girls to whom they were attentive, and of course they
could not be expected to look after him.
"Hello, Parsons!" called a voice, and he turned to see one of the Jersey
twins. Which one it was he could not determine, for if Jerry and Joe
Jackson looked alike when in their ball suits or ordinary clothes, there
was even less of difference when they wore formal black, with the
expanse of shirt showing.
"Hello!" responded Tom.
"I'm Jerry," went on the twin. "I thought I'd tell you. My brother and I
are going to play a joke to-night."
"What is it?"
"Joe's going to get talking to a girl and then he's going to excuse
himself for a moment. I'll take his place and I'll pretend I don't
know what she's talking about when the girl tries to continue the
conversation. I'll make believe I've come back to the wrong girl. Great,
isn't it?"
"Yes, except maybe for the girl."
"Oh, we'll beg her pardon afterward. Got to have some fun. I'm on the
arrangement committee and I'm nearly crazy seeing that every one has a
good time. Got your name down on all the cards you want?"
"I haven't it on any yet."
"No? That's a shame! Come on and I'll fix you up," and the good-natured
Jerry dragged Tom about, introducing him to an entrancing quartet of
pretty girls and then Tom knew enough to do the rest, which included
scribbling his name down for a whole or a half dance as the case might
be.
He had just finished this very satisfactory work when he heard his name
called and turned to see Miss Tyler smiling at him.
"I'm awfully glad to see you," he exclaimed, starting impulsively toward
her with outstretched hand. "May I have a dance?"
"Only one?" she asked with a laugh.
"All of them, if you can spare them," he said boldly.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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