ncerning the advisability of
allowing school boys to undertake such a long Marathon race. Fifteen
miles, many thought, was far too strenuous an undertaking for lads as
yet in their teens. Full-fledged athletes only run twenty miles in
all the famous long-distance races, and even at that numbers of them
do not finish, the task being too much for them.

But Mr. Leonard was of a different opinion, and he had his way. One
thing, however, he did insist on. This was that each and every
candidate entering for the Marathon fetch along with him a paper from
his family physician, stating that he had undergone a rigid
examination to ascertain whether he was in the pink of condition, and
without the slightest heart trouble.

Doctor Cadmus gladly examined all the Scranton fellows free of
charge, and it was given out to the neighboring towns, from whence
aspiring runners hailed, that the lack of such a physician's
certificate would debar any candidate from the race.

Hugh, along with several other fellows, intended to take a run of
from seven to ten miles over the course that Friday afternoon. They
did not wish to follow out the entire course, as that might injure
their prospects for the next day, so Mr. Leonard convinced them. But
half the distance would be apt to keep their muscles in good trim.

Before making a start, however, Hugh wished to hang around, and watch
what the other fellows were doing. He was deeply interested in the
hammer throwing, as well as the sprinting, and, after seeing how well
the boys acquitted themselves, felt more than ever assured that
Scranton High would pull down quite a number of the fine prizes
offered to successful competitors.

It was while things were thus booming that a car rolled past on the
main road leading out of town. Hugh noticed it particularly, for he
chanced to be over at that side of the extensive field.

There was a chauffeur at the wheel, and in the tonneau a lady and a
boy sat, in whom Hugh quickly recognized Claude Jardine and his
mother. She held her face deliberately away from the bright scene,
as though appalled to know that so many parents in Scranton were so
unwise, almost foolish, as to allow their sons to participate in such
antics; and their daughters to attend the same.

But Hugh chuckled when he saw Claude give a quick look up at his
mother, as if to make certain she was not looking; after which he
leaned forward and stared hard and eagerly at the wonderful