p by soft, cozy pillows. The boys had found a splendid spot for the carriage, while her mother and Mrs. Boden sa

"You'd never have guessed we could be such awful swells. There

re's

, and he's lost too; our fell

ered its heat, making it pleasant for players and spectators alike. The ground

white favours of the Deanery, while many of the principal men in the town had come

bowling. The opening was sensational: his first ball scattered the ba

re wild with delight. They flung their caps in the air, an

ing a chance. In vain Jim changed his bowlers and rearranged his field. Until he had made 69, the doughty batsman defied ev

ous." Jim was fielding "in the country," and he did not often miss a catch. He had hard work this time thoug

Temple was their most dangerous opponent, and now that

, by the time the last man was out, the

and when Dick came over she wanted to

Jim just walking to the wicket. Did you see that lovely catch he made? Mr. Barrow, a regular cricketi

she understood Jim had done something cle

e Deanery innings opened well, fifty runs being scored for

or bowled; and it seemed as if the captain co

for exactly a hundred, Dick

n now," said he, "and it isn't o

you go in?"

only play me for bowling. Oh, well done, Archer! T

set' meant; and then Dick mystified her more than ever by remar

has his eye in, you know," he said; and a

nd what a roar went up from the Magpies as, without anoth

st. "Well, I must be off. That's Crag going to the wicket

ks very pale," sa

tasy of delight, "he's got a two of

hed every ball, and there were loud cries of "P

any of his boys, and he clapped his

," he said; "but I'm afra

d Mr. Laythorne Jim's class-mast

for him. Ah, I was afraid of it! Crag's out, an

bandon all hope of winni

good bowler, he had batting notions of his own which generally brought him to grief. He treated all balls

im, as his chum passed him; "block everything, and

ed Dick. "I will,

he, for they knew too well that their erratic schoolfellow had an unhappy knack of missing his

at one another in astonishment. Dicky had actually blocked the ball! The next w

er and to score eight; but the Magpies, still feeling sure of winning the

. The Angel stood as if rooted to the ground, and never once attempted one of his mighty but erratic

shed the ball away a foot or two they cheered ironically, crying, "Well hit!

imself immensely, and had no ob

ade the air. A deep hush fell over the field; the spectato

n, eight to win! A beautiful drive all along the ground reduced the req

he turned with a smile to the St.

l give you a fright, a

ve to give you the shield,"

had been knocked off; and then, from the ve

r the Deanery boys even to cheer;

ould D

atching through his fiel

id. "He's trembling fearfully. He'll l

in Dick's nature to stand for long poking quietly at the ball as he had been doing.

. He placed his men with great care for a catch, and then sent dow

k lost his head. His friends groaned when they saw his bat go up, and decided it would be only a

truth," said he. "I forgot all about the shiel

ry. Travers, the Magpie stationed in that part, ran along the edge of the field in a gallant attempt to bring off a fine catch; but

Paul's, turning to Mr. Holmore. "It has bee

e Deanery boys swarmed in a mob across to the wicket. Some clutched Jim, other

and would not be satisfied till the chair was wheeled right to the front where she could see and hear everything. Susie will never forget that half-hour of her life. The mayor made a pretty speech, and handed the shield to Mr. Holmore amidst an outburst

en Jim went forward. The spectators cheered almost as loudly for Dick; and the ladies

r eyes Jim and his curly-haired chum were real heroes, and s

re the girl heard her brother's name coupled with Dick's, and her face flushed with real pleasure. Presently she saw the

shield, thanks to Jim," cri

en," said Jim. "He had as much t

aid Susie. "Oh, how nice! You

ow, mother, you go on with Mrs. Hartland. Jim and I will take care of Sus