the game,
it was too late, and they were beaten 5 to 3.

A sullen crowd of players climbed into their 'bus under punishment of
the jeers of the crowd that gathered to see them start back to their
hotel. McCarthy, with his shoulder and head aching, but with his heart
aching worse, sat with his chin drawn down into the upturned collar of
his sweater, refusing to be comforted. The Bears were in second place,
half a game behind the Panthers, and he, McCarthy, had lost the game.
Williams was smiling as if pleased and McCarthy blazed with anger.

CHAPTER VII

_McCarthy Meets Helen_

"Come to the hotel parlor at eight this evening. I wish to see you."

The note, hastily scribbled on hotel letter paper, was awaiting him
when Kohinoor McCarthy entered the hotel after the disastrous game. He
recognized the angular scrawled writing at a glance. Since the moment
his eyes had met those of Helen Baldwin during the game he had been
thinking hard. Her behavior had hurt him and the thought that she
deliberately had refused to recognize him stung his pride. The note
proved she had recognized him on the field. Either she was ashamed of
his profession or did not want the men with her to know that she knew
him.

McCarthy ate a hurried dinner and paced the lobby of the hotel. He was
anxious to meet the girl, yet he felt a dread of it, an uncertainty as
to the grounds on which their acquaintanceship should be resumed. For
nearly half an hour he waited, growing more impatient with every minute
and wondering whether there had been a mistake. His mind was busy
framing a form of greeting. When last they met it had been as
affianced lovers. Now---- A rustle of soft garments brought him to
his feet and he stepped forward with outstretched hand to meet the
tall, slender girl who came leisurely from the hallway. Her mass of
light, fair hair framed a face of perfect smoothness.

"Helen," he exclaimed quickly, "this is a pleasant surprise."

"I wish to talk with you, Larry," she replied without warmth, as she
extended a limp hand, sparkling with jewels.

"It is good to see you, Helen," he exclaimed, a bit crestfallen because
of her manner. "What brings you East? I was nearly bowled over when I
saw you to-day. I thought you did not know me, but I see you did."

"Surely you did not expect me to bow to you there," she responded.
"Did you desire all those people to know that I had acquaintances in
that--that class?"

"