Central High School - Mirror Yearbook (Birmingham, AL)

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had appeared in the form of Tom Payne. Penning and Payne were also rivals in another way—where Christine Bangor was concerned. That young lady had said jokingly in the presence of both that she would licstow her preference on the winner. Penning had accepted her words literally and had appeared on the track with the determination to win. With the added stake, besides the honor of the school, urging them on. the two Vale men had left the other men in the rear. Far around the track the s( ectntor$ had seen Payne spurt and gain the inside track In-fore Penning and the latter was seen to crumble and give away. Payne had fouled him with his elbow. Penning saw Payne break the tape a winner and knowing that his accusation of a foul would Ik received with incredulity, without speaking to Christine or mingling with his classmates he had gone back to the gym and changed his clothes. Later had come graduation and he had entered the world with a resolution to repay the score. Now was his chance! Penning gloried in the opportunity given him. Tomorrow he would wijie out a defeat and a wrong, lie gathered tip his clothing and proceeded to the Athletic Club for a little limbering up. Then? he was the cynosure of all eyes and in the opinion of the club members he looked all they could wish. After a shower he drew Dunaway aside ami asked that his name be withheld as he wished to surprise Payne. Dunaway agreed. That night Penning dreamed sweet dreams. After a shave and breakfast he decided to In-ard the lion in his den ami visit old Bangor. A five minutes walk brought him to the office of the Acme Manufacturing Company and he tendered his card to the office boy That all-important personage disappeared in the inner recesses only to appear an instant later with a negative sliakc of his head. “Sorry, sir. He says he can't see von todav. Too busy.” “But-----” “Listen. Mister.” There was a sincere ring in the hoy's voice. “This is no stall to get rid of yon hut plain dope. The boss is hopping mad and if yoit want to get next to him come hack later. Tomorrow after the athletic doings he will feel better—’specially if I.ex. wins.” Penning recollected the words of Dunaway: “It will be a point in your favor if you help us out.” With a brief “Thanks.” he left the office. “Everything seems to hang on that meet this afternoon. he said to himself as he walked towards town. “Must lx some affair. Mack at the hotel he buried himself in a comfortable chair with a magazine and did not emerge until noon, when he hastened to the Athletic Club. Penning was not over confident for he realized that Payne was a good man. yet no fear entered his heart. Feeling as if there were several miles in the firm muscles of his legs he could not help lK ing optimistic as to the outcome. Among twenty-five other fellows -shot putters, hurdlers, yard men—with whom he had already struck up an acquaintance, lie stripped and donned bis track outfit, (dances of admiration and res|K ct were turned his way both for the letter worn and the man wearing it. The looks turned to glances of surprise when they saw him put on a raincoat. “Why the disguise. Penning,” bantcringly called one, “Wanted for murder? “Not yet. hut soon.” was the only explanation elicited. Page Thirty

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Outside the grandstand filled gradually as the time for starting approached. The beating of wood, occasional shrill whistles and loud talk bespoke an impatient, restless crowd. The partisans of Lexington gathered in one end of the stand, the supporters of Madison congregated in the other end. Cheer after cheer, biting and sarcastic, was thrown hack and forth vehemently. A loud roar arose from the Madison side as their hopefuls appeared in the stadium, and forgotten were the veiling encounters in the cheering for the team. A shout from a greater number of people arose as the L-exington contestants made their appearance. A young lady charmingly dressed and with most attractive features sat in the neutral part of the audience, well to the front. Eagerness was expressed by her pose and her eyes sparkled with excitement. As contest after contest was concluded it could he easily discerned that she was enjoying herself. She cheered alternately with Lexington and Madison supporters and lu-r excitement grew with that of the crowd. The scores on the blackboard showed a slight lead in favor of Madison as the meet neared the close. A cheer greeted each figure added to the number. As the excitement grew more intense the crowd became wilder. A few minutes later I hmaway made a wild dash for the door of the gym and disappeared from the vision of a few curious spectators. He landed on the neck of Penning without ceremony. Pen. it’s up to you. old fellow. We are one point tiehind and you are our only hope. Come on.” Pen followed him out the door, drawing the coat closely about that tell-tale blue sweater. His appearance on the track with the coach brought forth a deafening roar. There' was a craning of necks to see who would represent Lexington. Perplexed looks appeared and questions flew hither and thither. No one knew him. A rumbling shout from Madison announced the approach of their man. Payne was clad in all white with a red stripe running from his left shouder to the waist. He was undeniably handsome as he approached the start. Penning faced the other way. How are you feeling. Payne?” a solicitous bystander called from the rail. Fine and clan —Payne stopfjed short, his jaw dropj cd. and he started back. Penning had faced about and confronted him. Hello, Payne, fine day isn’t it?” Penning smiled sweetly in enjoyment of his coup. Payne swallowed hard and an expression of hatred disfigured his face. Without a word he turned away. The starter raised a megaphone to his lips and roared his announcements: “Mile—Payne for Madison. Penning for Lexington.” The girl in the grandstand arose to her feet in her surprise, the color startled from her cheeks. She had heat’d the same announcement under different circumstances two years before. Had she heard aright? With burning gaze she looked at the man in the raincoat. She had known that Payne would run. The man advanced to the line and discarding his coat stood forth. The girl sat down gasping. The tall, well formed frame, typical of endurance and strength Page Thirty-two