THE GIRLS IN THE BOX
Still with a view to the dramatic, Stillman had planned something else.
It was with the greatest difficulty that he had succeeded in keeping
Lefty Locke and Janet Harting apart, for Janet was in the city, the
guest of Virginia Collier. And when Lefty reappeared on that field and
received that marvelous ovation, Janet sat in the owner’s box with
Virginia, her gloved hands clasped with a fierceness that nearly burst
the kid, her face by turns pale and flushed.
All the way across the diamond her eyes followed that splendid
figure――the figure of the man she loved. The Niagaralike roaring of the
crowd she was conscious of in a vague way, and it thrilled her; and
it seemed that she must draw his gaze by her intense effort to do so.
When he suddenly dove to the shelter of the bench, she relaxed, with a
little sigh of disappointment.
Then for the first time she felt the arm of Virginia Collier about her.
She heard Virginia’s voice in her ear:
“Wasn’t it splendid? Did you ever know anyone to get such an ovation?”
“Never,” answered Janet, “but he didn’t look――”
“He will look,” assured Miss Collier. “Leave that to Jack Stillman.”
“I owe a great deal to Mr. Stillman.”
“So do I,” said Virginia, glancing over her shoulder at Franklin
Parlmee. “Only for Mr. Stillman, we might all be playing at
cross-purposes now. There he is. He’s speaking to Lefty.”
Stillman had been pretty busy at his telegraph key, for he was one
reporter who could do his own sending, and the events of the last few
moments had caused him to sweat as he pounded out the Morse. He was
athrill with the joy of it, like a stage manager who has planned a
tremendous performance and seen it carried through successfully at the
opening, and the crowd going wild over it.
“Lefty!” he called; and Locke, passing, turned at the sound of the
familiar voice.
“Hello, Jack!” he returned.
“There’s someone looking for you over in the manager’s box,” said
Stillman.
As if he suddenly realized who it was, Locke whirled like a flash and
started in that direction with long, swinging strides. His bronzed
face was flushed. Never had he looked handsomer than he did while
Janet watched him drawing near.
“You――you, Janet!” he cried, heedless of everyone. “I tried to find
you, but you were gone. I couldn’t explain. Let me explain now.”
“Hush, Phil!” she cautioned, pressing the gloved fingers of one hand
to her lips, while, watched by thousands of eyes, she permitted him
to hold the other hand. “You don’t have to explain. Miss Collier has
explained everything, and I wish to ask your pardon for――”
“Don’t!” he entreated. “How could you know? It must have seemed beastly
of me. I told you I was going to the theater with some fellows from the
team, and you saw me there with――”
“Hasn’t Janet told you that everything has been explained, Mr.
Hazelton?” cut in Virginia Collier. “Of course, I didn’t know about
her, and just then I was somewhat peeved with Franklin. Oh, I think
you’ve met Mr. Parlmee, haven’t you?”
“Sure, we’ve met,” said Parlmee, putting forth a hand, which finally
led Lefty reluctantly to release the gloved fingers of Janet. “How are
you, Locke, old chap? If I was a bit rude when we were introduced,
perhaps you’ll pardon me now, understanding the reason.”
“Everybody seems eager to beg everybody’s pardon,” laughed Virginia
Collier. “I wonder where father is? I know he was on hand to see you
and Jack Kennedy when――”
“He was in the clubhouse,” said Lefty. “I’ve seen him.”
“Do you think you can win the game to-day?” asked Janet, apparently
with a touch of anxiety.
“What do _you_ think?” he questioned.
“I’m sure you can.”
“Then I’ll win it, Janet, if there’s any pitching left in my old south
wing.”
“You’ll have to pitch,” said Parlmee. “They’ve been saving Donovan up
for this game. They want it as bad as we do.”
“Perhaps so,” said Locke; “but we’ve got to have it.”
Somehow, there was no touch of boasting in his manner, nor did there
seem to be anything of the sort in his words. He was confident of
himself, and his confidence had been redoubled by Janet’s assurance
that she knew he would win.
“When the game is over,” said Miss Collier, “you’ll find us waiting
outside the clubhouse with the automobile. You’ll join us, won’t you?”
Only for a fraction of a minute did Lefty hesitate. “The others――the
boys,” he faltered. “If we win, they will――”
“They’ll forgive you for deserting them this time, I’m sure,” she said
quickly. “It only happens once in a lifetime, you know――and Janet will
be there.”
“So will I,” he promised instantly.