to the school routine. In 12 Billings trunks had been unpacked and the room had taken on a look of comfort and coziness, although several things were yet lacking to complete its

nished they would not require an easy-chai

n once stole to the imposing piles of books on the study table, books which hinted at many future hours of hard work. Steve, pulling on a pair of much worn and discoloured can

ack and a round dozen of tennis courts there. A well-built iron-framed stand, erected in sections, and mounted on small wide-tread wheels could be moved about as occasion required, and at present

loping lawn that descended to the road. First practice had been called for four o'clock and the big dial in the ivy-draped tower of Main Hall pointed its hands to three-forty when Steve and Tom turned into the path between Torrence and Wendell leading to the gymnasium and the field beyond.

wooded slope, stretched before them. The early frosts had already slightly touched the trees over there, and hints of russet-yellow and brick-red showed a

. "I wonder if Miller's there yet.

"He could, you know, since he is captain. I guess it won't do

er seemed to think he was pretty good. That's a dandy turf there, Tom

the other, trying not to feel self-conscious as he neared

e. So far neither had made any acquaintances save that of Andy Miller-unless Eric Sawyer could be called such!-and they felt a little bit out of it as they saw other boys joyously hailing each other, stopping to shake hands or exchange affectionate blows, or waving greetings from a distance. They had made the discovery, b

uck four sonorous peals. He was accompanied by three boys in togs, one of them Captain Miller. The coach was a clean-cut chap with a nice face and a medium-sized, wiry figure. He had sandy hair and eyebrows that were almost white, and his sharp blue eyes sp

-sanguine. Sixty seemed nearer the correct number than eighty. But even sixty-odd looked a good many as

e lot of hard work this fall, and any of you who don't like hard work had better keep away. This is a good time to quit. You'll save your time and mine too. All right now! Take some balls with y

re Eric Sawyer was in command. Andy Miller and Danny Moore stood at the coach's elbow during

t sight of Steve before Miller did. "Mr. Sam

ed to say that his name was not

drop in on me. How are you, Hall? Robey, these two have had some experience on their h

id the coach. "What's

n playing

oo. We'll see what you can

her close friend o' me boyhood, s

r, mostly,"

" said the coach with a smile to Miller. "All right, fellows. W

catching and tossing with the rest. If Sawyer recognised them as the boys who had aroused his ire in the rubbing room the day before, he showed no sign of it. It is probable, though, that their football attire served as a sufficient disguise. Sawyer apparently took his temporary position as assistant coach

ne and Sawyer, leaning over a ball at one end of the line, snapped it away as a signal for them to leap forward. By that time

u, but about a dozen of you other chaps got left entirely. Now get down there and throw your weight forward. Haven't any of you eve

e and Tom somewhat wearily tramped back with the rest across to the gymnasium, determined to hav

tting lockers," said Stev

the contents of the school catalogue by heart, "and

ven if we don't make the big teams we'll play with the Hall, probably. Wish we had them

m. "Sawyer worked us

is ahead there, with the striped stockings. He wa

bably tende

aiming a blow at Tom's ribs which was skilfully evaded. "Let

d departed, keys in hand, to find their lockers. They found the room thronged with fellows in various stages of undressing, while from the baths came deep groans and shrill shrieks and the hiss and splash of water. Their lock

aid Steve. "You can use an end of it if I ge

frayed bathrobe came up at that mom

door of his locker on the floor of which lay a pile of what were evidently bath towels. "I forgot to send them to th

rway of the rubbing room. "'Tis Sam Edwards!" g

ld you lend me a couple o

l look an' see," and Danny disap

Fetch 'em back when you're through with 'em, if you please. They're

ths, with the icy-cold water raining down on their glowing bodies. A brisk drying with the borrowed towels, a return to their uninviting togs and they were ready to be off. Steve couldn't find Danny, but he le

notice: "What Will You Give? Dirt Cheap! Terms Cash! One fine oak Morris chair, good as new. Three cushions, very pretty. One pair of skates.

?" asked Stev

hed in such breezy language. There were chairs, cushions, tables, pictures, golf clubs, rugs and all sorts of things advertised for s

y don't we look at some of the things, Tom? Maybe we could save

e ahead. Anythi

hat would fit our window-seat, but we might.

owl, Steve. Ever think

nd Steve secured paper by tearing a corner from one of the notices. When he had scribbled down the addresses that sounded promising they

that?" asked

Steve. "Wonder i

they entered they saw a tall, lank youth standing in front of a music-rack c

ounds that made the visitors squirm in the chairs they had taken. One excruciating wail after another came from the tortured instrument, the lank youth bending absorbedly over the notes in the failing light and a

badly in need of trimming. His near-sighted eyes blinked from behind the round lenses of a pair of

"but it's getting dark and I did want to get th