The Winning Touchdown/Chapter 9
CHAPTER IX
A CLASH WITH LANGRIDGE
In the meanwhile football practice went on, and the team seemed to be getting into better shape, though there was much to be desired. Sam and Pete did better, though they were uncertain, and there was much ragged work, both in offensive and defensive plays, over which coach and captain shook their heads.
"Randall has got to do better than that," said Mr. Lighton, "if she wants to stay at the head of the league."
"Right!" agreed Kindlings. "Bricktop is coaching Sam all he can, but it needs more than coaching to make a guard."
"Hope for the best," suggested the coach. "I wonder how our freshmen will make out Saturday against Boxer Hall?"
"They'll win, of course," declared Dan, energetically.
The game between the two freshmen elevens of Boxer Hall and Randall was quite an event, almost approaching the 'varsity struggles, and there was a big crowd on hand at the Boxer Hall gridiron the following Saturday when the contest was about to begin. Nearly all of the 'varsity squad was present to lend moral and vocal support, and Bean Perkins was in his element.
It was a hot battle from the very kick-off, and the two teams fought each other up and down the field. There was considerable kicking and open playing, but Randall depended on old-fashioned football, modified by Mr. Lighton, and secured the first touchdown. Boxer Hall got one before the initial half was finished, and then there was much speculation during the intermission as to which side would win.
By tremendous efforts, ploughing through the line, bucking great holes between their opponents, and by putting up a great defense, Randall succeeded in getting another touchdown, and a goal from the field, while Boxer Hall was unable to score in the last half. It was a glorious victory, all the more so because Randall had lost the contest the previous season.
The game was over. There had been cheers for the winners and losers, and college cries and songs galore.
"Come on over this way," urged Tom to Sid and Phil, who had sat with him during the game. "I think I see Madge, Ruth and Mabel. There are a lot of Fairview girls here."
"Oh, trust you for seeing the lassies," half-grumbled Sid, yet he followed, for he had more than a passing liking for Miss Harrison.
As the trio approached the three girls, who were standing together on the side lines, Tom suddenly plucked his companions by their sleeves.
"What's up?" demanded Sid.
"There's Langridge and Gerhart going to speak to them," said the end.
"What?" cried Phil, and a red glow suffused the quarter-back's face as he saw the former bully of Randall speaking to his sister. "I'll not stand for that! I don't want Ruth to have anything to do with him!" For Langridge was not the kind of a chap any fellow would want his sister to associate with. In times past Langridge had been quite friendly with Miss Madge Tyler, but when she had discovered certain things about him, she had cut his acquaintance.
"Guess he's trying to get in with her again," suggested Sid.
"I'll put a stop to that!" exclaimed Phil, grimly, as he strode forward. Then he called peremptorily: "Ruth!"
His sister looked up, caught his eye, blushed a little and, with a word to Langridge and Gerhart, moved off. Her two girl friends followed, and seemed glad of the chance to get away from the two sportily-dressed lads.
Langridge swung around, and at the sight of the three lads who, more than any others, had been instrumental in causing him to leave Randall, his face turned a dull red.
"What's wrong, Clinton?" he called, sharply. "Do you think your sister is too good to speak to me?"
"He evidently does," sneered Gerhart.
"Since you ask me—I do," replied Phil, calmly, and then he turned his back on the angry Boxer Hall students and began to talk to his sister and her friends, Tom and Sid joining in the conversation, not without a little sense of embarrassment.
"Look here, if you think I'm going to stand for being insulted publicly this way, you're mistaken, Clinton!" cried Langridge, hotly. He strode forward, while Gerhart tried in vain to hold him back.
"Oh, Phil!" cried Ruth, reaching out her hand to halt her brother, but in an instant he had gone beyond where she stood. She clasped her hands in alarm, and Madge and Mabel, with heightened color, gathered close to her.
Langridge and Phil faced each other with flashing eyes, and Gerhart stood just behind the former bully of Randall, looking a bit alarmed, for Langridge had torn from his grasp with considerable force.
"Look out, Phil," spoke Sid, in a low voice, but Langridge heard him.
"You keep out of this!" he snapped. "I'll settle with Clinton first, and then if you or Parsons want anything, you know where you can get it."
"Yes, and so do you!" declared Tom, stung by the bully's words. More than once had the plucky end proved his words, too.
"Oh, Tom!" breathed Madge, and she laid a gentle hand on his coat sleeve. "Don't—don't let them—fight!"
Tom slowly turned his gaze from the flushed and angry face of Langridge to that of the beautiful girl at his side. She was pale, but smiled bravely. It was a tense moment. Phil and the bully still stood facing each other, neither willing to give way. A little crowd, attracted by the impending clash, was approaching.
Tom caught Sid's eye, and the latter, with a quick motion, indicated that he and Tom must interfere to prevent an encounter, at least thus publicly.
"You—you insulted me," mumbled Langridge, his fists clenched, as he glared at Phil.
"Impossible," murmured Tom.
"I told you the truth, in answer to your question," retorted the quarter-back. "You brought it on yourself."
"But why you should consider that my speaking to your sister was an insult, I can't quite make out," declared Langridge, with a sneer. "Neither she, Miss Tyler nor Miss Harrison resented it. But perhaps you consider yourself the knight errant of all girls. If so"
"That will do!" interrupted Phil, sharply. "Leave my sister and her friends out of this discussion, if you please!"
"And if I don't please," sneered Langridge, "for I assure you that I do not, and"
Phil fairly jumped for the bully and Ruth uttered a little cry. In another instant there would have been a scene which Phil, in his calmer moments would have regretted as greatly as any one.