For the Honor of Randall: A Story of College Athletics

by Lester Chadwick

  CHAPTER XXI

  ON THE RIVER

  The afternoon was warm--almost too warm for that time of year, and Tomand Frank, as they neared the river, felt the breeze sweeping up fromthe water.

  "That's something like," remarked Frank, who now walked with scarcelythe semblance of a limp.

  "Yes, it'll do us good to get cooled off," said Tom. "I hope there's adecent boat left."

  There were several rowing craft, owned by the college, which were usedin common by the students, it being a case of first come first served.In addition a number of the lads had boats of their own, but Tom was notone of the lucky ones.

  "There's Holly's skiff," remarked the Big Californian, as the two camenear the boat house. "He won't use it to-day, as he's gone to a meetingof the athletic committee over at Exter. Let's pinch that."

  "All right, I guess he won't mind. It's the only decent one left,anyhow."

  "I wonder why Randall never did much shell racing?" mused Frank, as heand his chum were floating idly down the river. "I should think thefellows would. There's a good course here, and with Boxer Hall, andFairview, so close by, and near the river, there ought to be moreinterest in the sport."

  "That's right, there had," agreed Tom, casting a glance over hisshoulder to see if the course was clear. "Maybe we will have a goodcrew, after we see how these games come out. What we need is some oneto stir things up. Randall, from what I hear, didn't use to take anyinterest in sports. It's only of late years that she's come to thefront. Of course there has been some rowing here, and one or two goodraces, but nothing to boast of. What do you say if we start something?"

  "I'm willing. We four might get a shell and challenge Boxer Hall. I likerowing, and it's good exercise. But it's too late to do anything thisterm, especially with the games coming on."

  "That's right, but it's worth thinking of," agreed Frank. "We'll keep itin mind. Want me to row?"

  "No, you sit still and take it easy. You're out for your health youknow."

  "Oh, you be hanged!" was the half-protesting answer. "You'd have 'emthink I was an invalid. I'm all right."

  "I hope you keep so," was Tom's comment, as he bent to the oars.

  They went down the river for a mile or so, talking of many things, butchiefly of the coming contests. Then, as they neared the vicinity of alittle recreation park, which was not far from Fairview Institute, Frankexclaimed:

  "Aren't those some of our friends on shore?"

  Tom looked across, being close to the bank at the time, and saw twoyoung ladies.

  "It looks like----" he began.

  "It's Miss Tyler, and Miss Harrison," broke in Frank quickly. "I say,Tom, put me ashore, will you, I want to speak to them for a minute. Comeon up, and have a chat."

  "No," replied Tom shortly. "You can go, though," and he swung the boatin toward land. A moment later Frank had leaped ashore and was walkingtoward the young ladies, who seemed surprised to see him. They turned tolook at Tom, who raised his hat.

  Our hero was not a little astonished when, a moment later, Frank andMiss Harrison strolled off down a woodland path, leaving Madge Tyleralone there.

  "He's got nerve!" mused Tom, and his cheeks began to burn. Miss Tylerstarted to walk away from the river, and at the sight of her Tom took asudden resolve.

  "Hang it all!" he murmured, "I'm going to chance it. She can't any morethan turn me down."

  A moment later he, too, had leaped ashore, tying the boat to anoverhanging tree, and then he started to overtake the girl who occupiedso much of his thoughts.

  "I say--Miss Tyler--Madge!" he called.

  "Oh, how do you do?" she replied, coldly, as though just aware of hispresence.

  "I--I don't do very well," blurted out Tom. "I--er--say, what's thematter, Madge?" he asked helplessly and utterly unable to dissemble anylonger.

  "The matter? Why, I didn't know that anything was."

  "Yes you did. That May walk--why wouldn't you let me go with you?"

  "Why, I fancied you had a previous engagement," and her eyes, in whichshe could not altogether conceal the lurking glance of mischief, lookedstraight at Tom, making his heart beat faster than usual.

  "Oh, you mean that Miss Benson? That was an accident. She had scratchedherself and----"

  "You were a very efficient first-aider," came the quick retort.

  "Oh, I say now, Madge--that isn't fair. I couldn't help it--honestly.Say, come for a row; will you? It's early yet."

  "And leave Mabel?"

  "She left you, or, rather, Frank kidnapped her. We'll get them, if youlike, but----"

  "Oh, I don't know as it's necessary," was Miss Tyler's calm but quickresponse, and the mischief in her eyes grew. "If you're sure you wantme, I'll come, but I'm not going to get scratched with a thorn, so youcan save your handkerchief."

  "Oh, I say now, that's not fair," laughed Tom. "I haven't seen MissBenson since, though I suppose you and Mr. Shambler----"

  "Tom!" she exclaimed, half angrily, and our hero had the sense to say nomore. The two were soon in the boat, Tom rowing idly along under thearches of overhanging bushes.

  The little misunderstanding had passed away, and the two were theirhappy selves again. Tom's first care was to make sure that he would seeMiss Tyler at the games, and she promised to be on hand, and to join alittle party that Tom and his chums were planning after the events hadbeen run off.

  "But I think you had better put me ashore now," said Madge after a bit."It is getting late, and it's quite a walk for Mabel and me back toFairview. There she is now, waving to me."

  Tom saw Frank and Miss Harrison on shore beckoning to them.

  "Oh, but I say, we haven't been out long at all," he protested. "Can'tyou stay a little longer?"

  Madge shook her head, smiling the while, and, rather against his will,Tom put about, and began to row back to where Frank and his friendwaited. As he swung out into the stream he heard voices on shore, andthey at once struck him as being familiar. A moment later he had aglimpse of Shambler, talking to a man--the same untidy individual whohad been with the student near the gymnasium some time previous. MissTyler saw Shambler, at the same moment.

  "Look, Tom!" she exclaimed softly.

  "Yes, I see him," was the pitcher's answer. "I don't care, now, though.I'm with you."

  "Is that a Randall man with him?" Madge wanted to know.

  Tom shook his head, and, the next moment there came floating clearlyacross the water this scrap of conversation:

  "I tell you I've got to have more money!" said the shabbily-dressed man.

  "And I tell you I won't have any until after the games--a week fromnow," replied Shambler. Then it seemed as if the man made an effort tostrike him.

  "Oh, Tom!" cried Miss Tyler, involuntarily.

  Like a flash Shambler turned at the sound of the voice. He and the manhad been standing on the bank, behind a clump of bushes, but a suddenmovement brought them into plain view. The new student saw the occupantsof the boat. For an instant he stared at them, and then, as thoughcaught in some questionable act, he made a dive into the woods, and waslost to sight. The man stood there for a moment, as if bewildered, andthen, he, too, vanished.

  "That was rather queer," remarked Miss Tyler.

  "Very," assented Tom.

  "I wonder if--if they came here to--to fight?" she faltered.

  "Not very likely," replied Tom dryly. "They are friends I guess, thoughI don't know who the man is."

  "That's a queer way for a friend to act," commented Madge. "Mr. Shambleris--queer, I think."

  "Had much opportunity to judge?" asked Tom mischievously.

  "No, of course not. I have only met him a few times, and I only wentwith him that once to----"

  "Get even with me," finished Tom with a laugh.

  "Mean! Smarty!" pouted Madge.

  "Oh, it's all right, I deserved it, I guess," admitted Tom, for he didnot want to run any further chances. "But Shambler _is_ queer, thoughhe's one of the best athletes we've got. He beat me in
the mile runtry-out. He's our star sprinter."

  "You'll need plenty. Our boys are going to win at the meet," predictedMadge.

  "Never!" cried Tom, with mock heroics in his voice. "Like the old guard,Randall may die but never surrender."

  With a little bump the boat hit the sandy bank, and Tom helped Madgeout. Frank and Mabel came to meet them, and, after a little chat, thetwo girls said good-bye, for they had to return to Fairview.

  "Well, it's a wonder you wouldn't thank me," said Frank to his chum,when they were rowing back toward Randall.

  "Thank you--what for?"

  "For giving you the chance you needed. I took Mabel and myself off soyou could straighten things out. Did you?"

  "I did!" exclaimed Tom with a laugh. "It's all right now. We're friendsagain. Much obliged!"

  "Good. I thought though, from the serious looks you both wore as theboat came to shore, that it was all off."

  "No, that was on account of something we saw. Shambler was back there away, talking with a questionable looking chap."

  "Ha! The same one who called for him one day?"

  "Yes. I don't like the looks of it. It seems as if something was up."

  "Oh, you're too much given to imagining things, Tom," declared Frank."Shambler's all right, I think."

  "Well, I'm sure I hope so, and yet----" Tom shook his head withoutfinishing the sentence, and the remainder of the row was finished incomparative silence.