CHAPTER XIII.
HAYDEN’S DEMAND.
As he passed, the fellow cast a single malignant glance of hatred inStone’s direction. Through the door which opened into the big, longmain room of the gymnasium he strode, grimly inviting Eliot to followhim.
“Gee!” sibilated Sleuth Piper. “I scent trouble. Bern is mounted on hishigh horse.”
“Some folks who ride high hosses git a fall,” drawled Sile Crane,making a wry face as he pushed his left foot into a cleated shoe. “Dratthat corn! If it don’t stop botherin’ me purty soon, I’ll whittle thewhole toe off.”
After hesitating a moment, Roger Eliot slowly followed Hayden, who hadpaused with an air of impatience to wait for him in the big room.Through the open doorway Ben saw them standing close together, Haydenbeginning to speak in low tones in a manner of mingled demand andthreat.
“Look here, Eliot,” said Bern, “I want to know what you mean to do. Iwant an immediate understanding.”
“What is it, Bern?” asked Roger. “What are you talking about?”
“About that son of a stripe wearer, Stone. Are you going to attempt toram him down my throat?”
“Not at all. If you fancy you have any just reason for not wishing tobe friendly with Stone, that’s your business, and I’m not going to dipinto the affair.”
“Fancy!” grated Hayden resentfully. “There’s no fancy about it.Friendly with him—friendly with such a low-bred, worthless cur? Tosuggest friendship between us is an insult to me.”
“I have no wish to insult you, old fellow. Doubtless you believe youhave honest reasons for your dislike toward Stone. Nevertheless, it’s afact that many persons hate others from no just cause.”
“You’re insinuating that I’m unjust and dishonest in this matter.Doubtless Stone has told you a clever lie, and now simply because hedefended your sister when she was attacked by Fletcher’s dogs you’reready to take sides with him against me.”
“I don’t propose to take sides at all unless compelled to do so.”
“You’ve done so already.”
“How?”
“By going to Prof. Richardson and interceding in Stone’s behalf. Youcan’t deny that. You certainly did it.”
“Will you wait until I attempt to deny anything?” requested Rogercoldly. “I did go to the professor and tell him a few plain facts whichI happened to know.”
“Facts!” sneered Bern. “Lies which Stone had poured into your ears.It’s remarkable that you should take the word of a creature like thatinstead of mine.”
“You don’t know what you’re talking about, Hayden. I spoke to theprofessor about the encounter between Rollins and Stone, and likewisetold him of Stone’s heroic defense of Amy. Prof. Richardson believedBen had attacked Hunk without reasonable provocation; he was not awarethat the affair had been brought about by Rollins’ bullying abuse oflittle Jimmy Jones. I was not the only one who gave him thestraightforward facts; an eye-witness of the whole thing had spoken tohim about it before I mentioned it. Naturally, I am grateful towardStone; I’d be a fine fellow if I wasn’t.”
“He’s a cheap dog, and all your efforts to patch him up and make himappear decent won’t succeed; his real nature can’t help coming to thesurface. Why, it’s only necessary for one to take a look at him to sizehim up. What has he told you about me?”
“I prefer not to speak of any private conversation that may have takenplace between Stone and myself.”
“Oh, then he _has_ told you a mess of stuff. I knew it. If you wish toknow what people think of Stone in Hilton, I’ll furnish evidenceenough. His father was convicted of counterfeiting, sent to prison,and——”
“Do you believe that the errors of a parent should blight the life ofhis son?”
“‘Like father, like son,’ is an old saying, Eliot. Water won’t run uphill. But Stone’s own record is enough to ban him from decent company.His own uncle admitted that he ought to be sent to the reform school,and he would have been if he hadn’t run away. The people of Hiltonregard it as a good riddance, too.”
“It’s hard for a fellow when his own relatives turn against him.”
“It’s plain where your sympathies lie!” exclaimed Hayden resentfully.“You’re ready and willing to take up for this fellow against me. You’vebrought him here to make him a member of the eleven. Go ahead, but letme repeat that I’ll never disgrace myself by playing on the same teamwith him.”
“Do you think that’s the proper spirit, Hayden? You know the team isdecidedly weak in several spots. We’re particularly anxious to beatWyndham this year, and in order to do so we’ve got to put our strongestteam into the field. A fellow who is loyal to his school and his teamputs aside personal prejudices and is ready for almost any sacrifice.If Stone becomes a member of the eleven you don’t have to accept him asa friend, and it’s not necessary that you should associate with him offthe field. You’re unreasonably angry now, Bern, but if you’ll take timeto cool off and think it over, I’m confident you’ll perceive themistake you’re disposed to make.”
Hayden lifted his clenched fist in a passionate gesture. “I tell you,Eliot, you can’t ram him down my throat. You ought to know whether ornot I’m of especial value to the team. If I was willing to try, Icouldn’t play upon it and do myself justice with that fellow a member.You’ll have to choose between us.”
“I don’t wish to do anything of the sort. I’m captain of the team, and,even though I disliked Stone as bitterly as you do, I’d accept him as amember if I knew he would strengthen our forces.”
“Yes, you’re captain of the team,” sneered Bern, “and you’re trying towork for your own advantage; but let me inform you that if you persistin this course it will be to your decided disadvantage. You’ll find I’mnot the only one who can’t swallow Stone. If you want harmony on theteam—and that’s rather important—just send him scooting. He can’t playfootball, anyhow. He’s a big, lumbering, dull-witted creature who willbe an incumbrance.”
“I can’t see how we can tell about that until he has been tried out.”
Again the indignant lad made that passionate gesture with his clenchedfist. “Try him out then!” he snarled. “Have your own way and see whatcomes of it, but you’ll be sorry for your obstinacy.” With which hestepped past Roger and walked swiftly back through the dressing room,his dark face pale with pent-up exasperation.
“I say, Bern,” called Berlin Barker, “where are you going? Aren’t yougoing to stay for practice?”
“Not to-night,” Hayden flung over his shoulder, “nor any other nightuntil Eliot comes to his senses.”
------------------------------------------------------------------------