第23章 THE RUBE'S WATERLOO(2)

``Mr.Connelly, I want my release, I want to go back to Rickettsville,'' he replied hurriedly.

For the space of a few seconds I did some tall thinking.The situation suddenly became grave.

I saw the pennant for the Worcesters fading, dimming.

``You want to go home?'' I began slowly.

``Why, Whit, I can't keep you.I wouldn't try if you didn't want to stay.But I'll tell you confidentially, if you leave me at this stage I'm ruined.''

``How's that?'' he inquired, keenly looking at me.

``Well, I can't win the pennant without you.If I do win it there's a big bonus for me.I can buy the house I want and get married this fall if I capture the flag.You've met Milly.You can imagine what your pitching means to me this year.That's all.''

He averted his face and looked out of the window.

His big jaw quivered.

``If it's that--why, I'll stay, I reckon,'' he said huskily.

That moment bound Whit Hurtle and Frank Connelly into a far closer relation than the one between player and manager.I sat silent for a while, listening to the drowsy talk of the other players and the rush and roar of the train as it sped on into the night.

``Thank you, old chap,'' I replied.``It wouldn't have been like you to throw me down at this stage.Whit, you're in trouble?''

``Yes.''

``Can I help you--in any way?'''

``I reckon not.''

``Don't be too sure of that.I'm a pretty wise guy, if I do say it myself.I might be able to do as much for you as you're going to do for me.''

The sight of his face convinced me that I had taken a wrong tack.It also showed me how deep Whit's trouble really was.I bade him good night and went to my berth, where sleep did not soon visit me.A saucy, sparkling-eyed woman barred Whit Hurtle's baseball career at its threshold.

Women are just as fatal to ball players as to men in any other walk of life.I had seen a strong athlete grow palsied just at a scornful slight.It's a great world, and the women run it.So I lay awake racking my brains to outwit a pretty disorganizer; and I plotted for her sake.Married, she would be out of mischief.For Whit's sake, for Milly's sake, for mine, all of which collectively meant for the sake of the pennant, this would be the solution of the problem.

I decided to take Milly into my confidence, and finally on the strength of that I got to sleep.Inhe morning I went to my hotel, had breakfast, attended to my mail, and then boarded a car to go out to Milly's house.She was waiting for me on the porch, dressed as I liked to see her, in blue and white, and she wore violets that matched the color of her eyes.

``Hello, Connie.I haven't seen a morning paper, but I know from your face that you lost the Rochester series,'' said Milly, with a gay laugh.

``I guess yes.The Rube blew up, and if we don't play a pretty smooth game, young lady, he'll never come down.''

Then I told her.

``Why, Connie, I knew long ago.Haven't you seen the change in him before this?''

``What change?'' I asked blankly.

``You are a man.Well, he was a gawky, slouchy, shy farmer boy when he came to us.Of course the city life and popularity began to influence him.Then he met Nan.She made the Rube a worshipper.I first noticed a change in his clothes.He blossomed out in a new suit, white negligee, neat tie and a stylish straw hat.

Then it was evident he was making heroic struggles to overcome his awkwardness.It was plain he was studying and copying the other boys.

He's wonderfully improved, but still shy.He'll always be shy.Connie, Whit's a fine fellow, too good for Nan Brown.''

``But, Milly,'' I interrupted, ``the Rube's hard hit.Why is he too good for her?''

``Nan is a natural-born flirt,'' Milly replied.

``She can't help it.I'm afraid Whit has a slim chance.Nan may not see deep enough to learn his fine qualities.I fancy Nan tired quickly of him, though the one time I saw them together she appeared to like him very well.This new pitcher of yours, Henderson, is a handsome fellow and smooth.Whit is losing to him.Nan likes flash, flattery, excitement.''

``McCall told me the Rube had been down in the mouth ever since Henderson joined the team.

Milly, I don't like Henderson a whole lot.He's not in the Rube's class as a pitcher.What am Igoing to do? Lose the pennant and a big slice of purse money just for a pretty little flirt?''

``Oh, Connie, it's not so bad as that.Whit will come around all right.''

``He won't unless we can pull some wires.I've got to help him win Nan Brown.What do you think of that for a manager's job? I guess maybe winning pennants doesn't call for diplomatic genius and cunning! But I'll hand them a few tricks before I lose.My first move will be to give Henderson his release.

I left Milly, as always, once more able to make light of discouragements and difficulties.

Monday I gave Henderson his unconditional release.He celebrated the occasion by verifying certain rumors I had heard from other managers.

He got drunk.But he did not leave town, and Iheard that he was negotiating with Providence for a place on that team.

Radbourne pitched one of his gilt-edged games that afternoon against Hartford and we won.

And Milly sat in the grand stand, having contrived by cleverness to get a seat next to Nan Brown.Milly and I were playing a vastly deeper game than baseball--a game with hearts.But we were playing it with honest motive, for the good of all concerned, we believed, and on the square.

I sneaked a look now and then up into the grand stand.Milly and Nan appeared to be getting on famously.It was certain that Nan was flushed and excited, no doubt consciously proud of being seen with my affianced.After the game I chanced to meet them on their way out.Milly winked at me, which was her sign that all was working beautifully.

I hunted up the Rube and bundled him off to the hotel to take dinner with me.At first he was glum, but after a while he brightened up somewhat to my persistent cheer and friendliness.

Then we went out on the hotel balcony to smoke, and there I made my play.