Cinder Path Tales

ATHERTON'S LAST "HALF" 117 He listened to my instructions carefully, took Bates along withina half second of the fifty-nine, and left him in the stretch to finish four seconds better than ever before. Teddy was badly used up, of course, for he was not at all accustomed to the distance, and when I gave him a shoulder to the gymnasium, he was as limp as possible. He took our congratulations with a half smile, andwould not confess that he was much the worse for the effort. Tom Furness was much elated, insisting there wasno question but that we had made a change to the advantageof all but Teddy, and it was right that heshould sufferfor the good of the cause. It iswonderful withwhat complacency welook upon the sacrifice of others. As I thought it over that night, I had serious doubts about Atherton's condition, and the next morning I told Furness just how badly he was used up; but I did not take a decided stand, as I should have done, and the reason was purely selfish and unworthy. I was, of course,anxious towin thecup ; it meant much to me, and I decided to take the risk. The day came round, particularly sultry and close. The sky was brassy, the sun a ball of fire, and what little wind there was felt like the breath of a furnace.