Cinder Path Tales

164 CINDER-PATH TALES any other jump; but, to my horror, hehad reached too far with his feet, and though he made a desperate effort, he balanced a moment, andthen threwhimself on his back and side. He picked himself up without a word, and throwing his gray wrap over his shoulder pushed his way through the little crowd of contestants and officials, and strode off toward the dressing-rooms without even waiting for the measurer. I had eyes now only for the tape. The footmarks were plain as possible, andon the right and several inches back were the prints of Dick's thighand elbow in the brown earth. The measurer pulled the tape outcarefully, and I saw his finger slide by the twenty-two mark, where they hesitated a moment. He examined the brokenground with eager eyes, and at last his thumb stopped at the three and one-quarter inch. The little fellow who had made the twenty-two one and one-half was close by my side, and I heard him sigh at the sight. He hadanother trial;but the first place had seemed his already, and now he must fight for it with only onemore chance. I was quite sure that Dick's jump wasgood enough, and so it proved. Richard Spots- wood Fairfax wasa winner. I was delayed a little, and when I reached the dressing- room I learned that the boy had dressed