But Fortune, now that she had turned her face toward the wearers of the
Crimson, had further gifts to bestow. And presently, when the wearied
and crestfallen opponents had lined themselves along the goal-line,
Decker held the ball amid a breathless silence, and Hillton's right end
sent it fair and true between the uprights: Hillton, 6; Opponents, 5.

The game, so far as scoring went, ended there. Four minutes later the
whistle shrilled for the last time, and the horde of frantic Hilltonians
flooded the field and, led by the band, bore their heroes in triumph
back to the school. And, side by side, at the head of the procession,
perched on the shoulders of cheering friends, swayed the two half-backs,
Neil Fletcher and Paul Gale.



CHAPTER II

PAUL CHANGES HIS MIND

Two boys were sitting in the first-floor corner study in Haewood's.
Those who know the town of Hillton, New York, will remember Haewood's as
the large residence at the corner of Center and Village Streets, from
the big bow-window of which the occupant of the cushioned seat may look
to the four points of the compass or watch for occasional signs of life
about the court-house diagonally across. To-night--the bell in the tower
of the town hall had just struck half after seven--the occupants of the
corner study were interested in things other than the view.

I have said that they were sitting. Lounging would be nearer the truth;
for one, a boy of eighteen years, with merry blue eyes and cheeks