Watching Carroll receive the congratulations of many of those present, she saw that he dominated them as he had her.His magnetism was over-powering; his great stature seemed to fill the room; his easy careless assurance emanated from superior strength.When he spoke lightly of the game, of Crane's marvelous catch, of Dalgren's pitching and of his own triple play, it seemed these looming features retreated in perspective--somehow lost their vital significance because he slighted them.
In the light of Carroll's illuminating talk, in the remembrance of Sheldon's bitter denunciation, in the knowledge of Pat Donahue's estimate of a peculiar type of ball-player, Madge Ellston found herself judging the man--bravely trying to resist his charm, to be fair to him and to herself.
Carroll soon made his way to her side and greeted her with his old familiar manner of possession.However irritating it might be to Madge when alone, now it held her bound.
Carroll possessed the elemental attributes of a conqueror.When with him Madge whimsically feared that he would snatch her up in his arms and carry her bodily off, as the warriors of old did with the women they wanted.But she began to believe that the fascination he exercised upon her was merely physical.That gave her pause.
Not only was Burns Carroll on trial, but also a very foolish fluttering little moth--herself.It was time enough, however, to be stern with herself after she had tried him.
``Wasn't that a splendid catch of Crane's today?'' she asked.
``A lucky stab! Crane has a habit of running round like an ostrich and sticking out a hand to catch a ball.It's a grand-stand play.Why, a good outfielder would have been waiting under that fly.''
``Dalgren did fine work in the box, don't you think?''
``Oh, the kid's all right with an old head back of the plate.He's wild, though, and will never make good in fast company.I won his game today.
He wouldn't have lasted an inning without me.It was dead wrong for Pat to pitch him.
Dalgren simply can't pitch and he hasn't sand enough to learn.''
A hot retort trembled upon Madge Ellston's lips, but she withheld it and quietly watched Carroll.How complacent he was, how utterly self-contained!
``And Billie Sheldon--wasn't it good to see him brace? What hitting!...That home run!''
``Sheldon flashed up today.That's the worst of such players.This talk of his slump is all rot.
When he joined the team he made some lucky hits and the papers lauded him as a comer, but he soon got down to his real form.Why, to break into a game now and then, to shut his eyes and hit a couple on the nose--that's not baseball.
Pat's given him ten days' notice, and his release will be a good move for the team.Sheldon's not fast enough for this league.''
``I'm sorry.He seemed so promising,'' replied Madge.``I liked Billy--pretty well.''
``Yes, that was evident,'' said Carroll, firing up.``I never could understand what you saw in him.Why, Sheldon's no good.He----''
Madge turned a white face that silenced Carroll.She excused herself and returned to the parlor, where she had last seen her uncle.Not finding him there, she went into the long corridor and met Sheldon, Dalgren and two more of the players.Madge congratulated the young pitcher and the other players on their brilliant work; and they, not to be outdone, gallantly attributed the day's victory to her presence at the game.Then, without knowing in the least how it came about, she presently found herself alone with Billy, and they were strolling into the music-room.
``Madge, did I brace up?''
The girl risked one quick look at him.How boyish he seemed, how eager! What an altogether different Billie! But was the difference all in him! Somehow, despite a conscious shyness in the moment she felt natural and free, without the uncertainty and restraint that had always troubled her while with him.
``Oh, Billie, that glorious home run!''
``Madge, wasn't that hit a dandy? How I made it is a mystery, but the bat felt like a feather.Ithought of you.Tell me-- what did you think when I hit that ball over the fence?''
``Billie, I'll never, never tell you.''
``Yes--please--I want to know.Didn't you think something--nice of me?''
The pink spots in Madge's cheeks widened to crimson flames.
``Billie, are you still--crazy about me? Now, don't come so close.Can't you behave yourself?
And don't break my fingers with you terrible baseball hands....Well, when you made that hit I just collapsed and I said----''
``Say it! Say it!'' implored Billie.
She lowered her face and then bravely raised it.
``I said, `Billie, I could hug you for that!'...
Billie, let me go! Oh, you mustn't!--please!''
Quite a little while afterward Madge remembered to tell Billie that she had been seeking her uncle.They met him and Pat Donahue, coming out of the parlor.
``Where have you been all evening?'' demanded Mr.Ellston.
``Shure it looks as if she's signed a new manager,'' said Pat, his shrewd eyes twinkling.
The soft glow in Madge's cheeks deepened into tell-tale scarlet; Billie resembled a schoolboy stricken in guilt.
``Aha! so that's it?'' queried her uncle.
``Ellston,'' said Pat.``Billie's home-run drive today recalled his notice an' if I don't miss guess it won him another game--the best game in life.''
``By George!'' exclaimed Mr.Ellston.``I was afraid it was Carroll!''
He led Madge away and Pat followed with Billie.
``Shure, it was good to see you brace, Billie,''
said the manager, with a kindly hand on the young man's arm.``I'm tickled to death.That ten days' notice doesn't go.See? I've had to shake up the team but your job is good.I released McReady outright an' traded Carroll to Denver for a catcher and a fielder.Some of the directors hollered murder, an' I expect the fans will roar, but I'm running this team, I'll have harmony among my players.Carroll is a great catcher, but he's a knocker.''