The Storyteller.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7882, 26 July 1905, Page 4

The Storyteller.

THE FULL BACK. ' i.eird !" i'.iteui clcan-cul, muscular athletes siriichtd their arms above their h.'ads, and bent slowly forward until their lingers touched the gymnasium door. 'Rise !" With knees teld rigid they swung up again, and stood expectantly, awaiting the next command. The professor looked at Dr. Nels. ,i and smikd. "They'll 'lo," b« said. -Yes." lohfa-d Hie dsctor. Then Ite turned to the waiting boys. One or two were breathing heavily. ■■Tired'.'" he asked. "No," answered Browning from his potion at the loot »f the line, "we could keep up all day. Go oh." Hut the doctor shook trrs head. "No," he said, "you'v* had enough. With the final championship game only a week off, I can't afford to have any of you boys go stale." "But we are strong as—as bulls," said Roberts stoutly. He was a fair-haired, muscular giant- of nineteen, the full-back and captain of the eleven. The Dector's ey, s rested on him in affectionate admiration. "Ah, Bobbie," be said, "Browning was slr«ng too, but he ruined • his wrist by overwork. You don't realise how weak over-training leaves a person. 1 hear yon hare been on the track every night lately ?" The boy raised his eyes enquiringly. Professor Hendricks smiled. "Yes," he said, ''l toVd. I don't approve ol it." "But I'm slow on my feet," argued the boy. 9is face was very red. "I ran only—" ' You ran onh- a Irttle, eh?" the Doctor interrupted. "No matter, diop it. Even that little might hurt you. Here," he called, as Roberts turned away, "let me see vcmr leg." Still very red in the face' the boy came back. He did not like the tone of ihe Doetor's voice, and beside*, he tb light some of the boys were smiling- " It's all right," be said sullenly. The Doctor did not answer. Bending down he ran his practiced fingers around the anWc held out to him. The hoy twisted his leg impatientlv. 'lt's all right,"' he said again. "No." said the Doctor, "it's not. Look !" He placed his thumb near the instep, and hope down heavily on a swollen tend»n. The boy drew back with a htlle cry of pain. "H hurts," he gasped. "<>f course it does," broke out the professor. "• You've strtamed vour I<V-" But I ran only " I'rolessor Hendricfc raised his iui.-l, and biting his lip, Roberts stopped short. He was sure those fast sprints had made him faster on his feet ; he had been positive tfcev would help him materially in gelling down the field with the hall. He b..l I bought only of the success of las school, and how he might ard 11 to victory. And just beeausc he »i strained his ankle*—* He threw tack his head and looked at those around him. The professor was fumbling with*his glasses; the >.» tor's face was (fowled and troubled. Instantly the anger died out of In-; heart. "Is it, serious ?" be asked anxiously. "Yes," said the doctor gloomily it-it may keep you from playing ion were very foolish." l And A" J"? hear( R °bcrts suddenly knew (hat he was. What if he had i , rC^L and lne p,even oc weakened What if they lost? The thought sent a cold chill lirough him, and impulsively he """J 1 "Itoward 1 toward tbc professor-turned and then cried out again "My ankle ! My ankle !" The professor groaned. His worst lum S W< ' re realised -' A " tof* 'eft "Roberts!" he cried, "Robcns, >mu ve ruined us." ' "I know it," gasped the boy. He rir,l to take a step forward, but and "Sf benl ■ a,,, llim .' t _■... I he sta &e r «J the doctor him roughly by the should Hurt much ?" lie demanded • es. I-i can't walk " So this was to be the end of their dreams of the f-atw| cba f »« r Pofessor Hendricks glared' angrik he Doctor smothered an exclamation and sighed. dlnl he cal,w| . "take his other , f r m .-We'., carry h,i„ l0 ° Between them they caught up the I-nip figure of the yotmg ImZ "This is Monday;, he said at last toy P ,a » ? "«W the , Ml! at J 0U n ma ' •* ablc t" Play" is slim. You must stay in this -m. on this bed. until Friday ■f it is strong, you can play • if not you stay out of the game " t was a bitter pill for the bov to fallow, hit swallow it he'dhl Morning after morning his ankle was bathed and bandaged, and then he was eft alone. The hours were long ■<"< l tedious, and the days scenic! to have no end. He fell ,| u || an ,i la/y without his cuslonurv morning ™ tcish ,he missed the ' laughing, M'lashing music of (Ik- shower-bath ;V, mjL. b . r . ,sk ruh dow " '"»« *«t lite blrVid through his veins. There seemed to be n. life in his body, and tin' fe-ar came into his heart thai lie was slowly but surely getting out of condition.

Snmetimes the elcvui wo „i,| ,„,.,.. [;<■.• on the strip of campus under ins window, ami then be would sit up in Ins bed, his hands crasiniiir ill.- ami his ears strain,-.! tor the slightest sound as he heard and read the signals. Now Itr-wmie-would have the ball, and now ,\ would be Davis or Cartwristti. Tli.-n would come the voice of little Knglisli, the quarter-back, piping oul the numbers which used to draw him into tackles-back formation and scad him down the fh-M, and suddenly hj« would sink back on the pillow and dash the tears from his eves. Oh ji his- ankle would only hiul and le' him play that game. It was his prayer through all Hie week. Friday morning the Doctor

bandaged his foot and left him as usual, bu! in Ihv afternoon when ktlnml ha.'l \l\:\ dismissed, he return-, ed, bringing the professor with him. The hour that was lo determine Roberts's fate had arrived. The iull-back's heart was beating wildly. Gently the doctor helped him to the floor, ami for a niom.'iii tl.-.'ie he stood, swaying uncertainly. "Step out : your lelt foot, called the protessor. Roberts took one cautious step across the room. "Now your right." This was the test, slowly he stretched out his bandaged foot. It rested shakily on the Hoot, strained a moment, ami then he swung his left foot forward again and faced ihvni. He could walk, and the professor laughed aloud in his joy. "Ah,'' he cried, "it's all right : we'll beat them yet. Do it again. Roberts. Walk ' Walk :" The full-back tried to cross the room ainl began to limp. The Dottor's iace was clouded. "I'm afraid " he began. "Of what '.'" demanded the professor. "Ui his ankle. It is not exactly strained, but it is weak, and I baldly think it could stand the wear and tear of a dozen scrimmages." "But the game '." cried the professor. "Well, what of the game '.'" cried the Doctor impatiently. There was something in his tone that forbade argument, and meekly bowing his heart, the professor turned away. It never occurred to him that he was willing to sacrifice the boy, could his own hopes be realised. "Very well, he said at last. " If he is in no condition to play, I suppose it would be follv to put him in the field. Still-" He looked hard at the full-back for some little word that would encourage him to keep up the fight. but Roberts's head was turned away and it was the doctor who answered. "No." he said, "it is impossible. We will have to tight the game as best we can." "Arid lose it '" "Perhaps. Hut come, we will see what oan be done." They started to leave the room. At the door the doctor paused, and the professor passed oul ahead. Then the doctor came back a step. "Bobbie," he railed. The boy did not answer. "Bobbie," he continued softly, I did not dare tell the professor, but if the game *goes wrong I will let you play the second hall. Good-bye Bobbie." "Good-bye," answered the boy hoarsely. He heard the door shut, ami then lie closed his tired eyes. When he opened them,, only a little RTey light was in the sky, and the room was almost dart 'To Ik Continued.)