e for the table. She stopped short in consternation as she saw the thundercloud

is it?" she a

r lovingly and h

pped his arm around her. "It's only that I've just foun

glance at Reggie, who loo

ight to know and all that sort of thing, don't y'know. And

e can't be anything now that concerns Mabel that do

fraid that it would weigh on your mind and affect your work this season, and I knew how your heart was set on making a

rry out his threats against me. And even if he should, you know that I am perfectly able to take care of myself. You know that others have tried to injure me, but I always came out on top. Fleming tried it; Bra

ered Mabel. "I'll try to fo

ur mind at rest I'll promise on my part to take

e no such promise himself, and he vowed that if he could ever get any trace of

Jim Barclay would take was

ittle town had gathered there to say good-by and wish them luck. To many of the townspeople, Joe was a bigger man than the President of the United St

s to be alone with Mabel. He had already bidden his mother a loving farewell at the house, as

friends who clustered around them. At the last minute, however, the young folks had a chance to

hey settled back in their seats, and for a long time were engrossed in their thoughts. Usually they were full of chaff and b

Joe told Jim about his interview with Reggie and the anonymous letter.

the slightest chance of getting hold of the cowardly fellow t

ainst the Giants and want to worry you so that you won't pitch your best ball. Some of those fellows will

has intelligence enough to write a letter. Then there's Fleming, with whom I'm just about as popula

thoughtfully. "That fellow's a rattlesnake. He

went on, as a thought struck him, "do you remember what Reggie said about meeting Braxton in Chicago? You kn

mighty speedy car that got the fellow who laid that trap on the road from the training town to Hebron. Of course those things are only straws, of no value separate

the season. The sporting pages overflowed with speculation and prophecy as to the way the different teams would shape up for the pennant race. In the street cars, in the subways, in t

ked with eager, good-natured humanity on its way to the game. By noon the bleachers were packed, and an

year before, but many winter trades had strengthened the weak spots, and the spring training of t

acon." Hughson's arm was not yet in shape, and the prospects were that Joe would hav

m, had the first chance at practice, and they uncovered a lot of speed in their preliminary work. Then th

e a hush of expectation fell on the crowds. T

for to-day's game are Albaugh and Menken for Bosto