The Girls of Central High on Track and Field Part 28

The old lawyer shook his head. "We never do mean the harsh words," he murmured.

"However," he added, after a moment's silence. "The fact remains that this girl, Margit Salgo, is a.s.suredly the daughter of Belas Salgo and Anne Carrington. The money--what there was of it--left in the hands of Eben Chumley by his partner, Anne's father, belongs to the child, and Eben must be made to disgorge."

"It will hurt Chumley dreadfully to give up the money," said Gee Gee, quickly. "How much is there?"

"Less than a thousand dollars. You know, Chumley & Carrington were in the real estate business in only a small way, back in those days. With interest, and all, it will be but a modest fortune."

"I suppose those Gypsies thought the child was a great heiress," said the teacher.

"That is probable. They undoubtedly think so now. It is my advice that you allow me to go to the police and explain the matter fully. Let them gather in this Jim Varey, and the others, and tell them just how little the sum is that is coming to Margit Salgo. It is about enough for her education--and that's all."

Miss Carrington nodded. "Nevertheless," she said, with finality, "she is Cousin Anne's child. I shall make her education and future keeping my affair. I have not worked, and taught, all these years for nothing, Mr.

MacCullough."

"Quite true--quite true," admitted the old man, briskly. "And if you wish to adopt the girl----"

"I intend to do so," announced Gee Gee.

"Then there is n.o.body to gainsay you, I am certain," declared the lawyer, rising. "I congratulate the child upon falling in with so good a guardian, Miss Carrington. And--perhaps--you are to be congratulated, too," he added to himself as he left her sitting grimly by the table.

For more than Lawyer MacCullough noted the change that was gradually coming over the martinet teacher of Central High. Whether it was the influence of Margit's presence, or not, it was true that Miss Carrington was not half so harsh as she used to be.

"Change of heart--she's sure to die, I'm afraid," announced Bobby Hargrew, one day, when Gee Gee had failed to seize the opportunity to berate that young lady for a certain fault.

But later, Miss Carrington put herself out to speak to Bobby on the street, and upon matters not connected with the school work.

"Clara, I never properly thanked you for taking my ward's part the other morning when that dreadful man attacked her," said Miss Carrington, quietly. "But I am grateful, nevertheless."

"Your ward!" gasped Bobby, her curiosity and wonder pa.s.sing all bounds of politeness. "Oh, Miss Carrington! is she really related to you?"

"Margit? Not in the least--at least, no relation that the law would allow. For that reason I propose to adopt her. She will be known as Margaret Carrington--and I hope, Miss Clara, that you and the other girls of Central High will be kind to her."

Bobby smiled. "I think Margit will take care of herself, Miss Carrington, if we don't treat her right. But I know all the girls will be glad to have her join."

"Thank you. She is foreign to your ways, as yet," pursued the teacher, a little doubtfully. "From what she says, she is much interested in Mrs.

Case's cla.s.ses--in the physical culture cla.s.ses, and the like. I--I expect you will introduce her at the gymnasium, Miss Clara?"

"Of course!" exclaimed Bobby, half stunned. "Why--why Margit's the surest-footed girl I ever saw. You ought to see her running that day along the top of the stone wall!"

"Er--I presume that such unseemly conduct will not be necessary if Margaret becomes a votary of athletics as taught the young ladies of Central High," returned Miss Carringtan, stiffly.

"Just the same," Bobby said, in talking over the matter with Laura and the rest of the girls, afterwards, "just the same, Margit Salgo will be a splendid addition to our fighting force some day. Why, she's got biceps like a boy, and she says she can swim, and skate, and ride. We're going to have another A-1 champion for Central High in Margit Salgo some day!"

It must be confessed that, about this time, many of the Central High girls gave more thought to athletic matters than they did to their lessons. Still, the unbending rule that only those who kept up with their studies would have a part in the after-hour athletic contests was a solvent for any serious trouble.

The day of the meet was at hand. The athletic teams of the five high schools--three of Centerport and one each from Lumberport and Keyport--were to meet on the Central High field. There were several important trophies, as well as the usual league pins for the winners, and interest in the field day--not alone among the girls themselves--ran high.

Laura Belding and her mates had figured out very carefully just what events Central High was sure to win, and how many of the "uncertain"

points were needed to clinch the championship.

They felt sure of the hundred-yard dash; as far as they could learn no girl in any of the five schools had developed the speed of Bobby Hargrew over that short course.

The two hundred and twenty-yard dash and the quarter-mile run were doubtful, despite Bobby's splendid showing in the latter. The hurdle races were doubtful, too, as well as the shuttle and potato relays.

In the high and broad jumps, as well as the shot-putting, there was serious doubt. The best Laura could figure, Central High would go into the contest needing four points more than they were _sure_ of winning.

Those four points might be supplied by Bobby in the quarter-mile run, one of the chief events of the day, and Eve Sitz in the broad jump and putting the shot.

"You girls have got to do your very best--don't forget that!" Laura told them, as they separated the night before the meet. "Central High just about leans her whole weight on you."

It was on Friday and the whole school was excused at noon; but those taking part in the events of the day were not obliged to report until one o'clock--and then only to the committee at the gymnasium building.

The crowds from Lumberport and from Keyport came in chartered steamers.

They marched into the field just before one o'clock, and the cla.s.ses from the East and West Highs followed them a few minutes later. The girls in their light dresses, and with the flags fluttering, were a pretty sight.

Of course, the grandstand was rapidly filling with adult spectators, and with the boys, when the girls of Central High came in. There was some marching and counter-marching, before all were seated. Already some of the girls, in their gymnasium clothes, began to appear on the courts for warming-up practice.

Suddenly Bobby Hargrew burst into a knot of Central High girls gathered around Mrs. Case, on the main floor of the gym. building, and fairly shouted:

"Where is she?"

"Where's who?" asked Laura, curiously. "Is this one of your jokes? Who are you looking for?"

"Where's Eve? Who's seen Eve Sitz?" repeated Bobby, anxiously.

"Why, I think you'll find her around somewhere. What's the matter? Got to see her right this moment, Bobby?"

Bobby's tone of tragic despair stopped the joking at last, however, as she cried:

"She's not reported. She isn't here. n.o.body's seen her. She hasn't come into town, as far as I can find out. And certain sure she hasn't come into this building--and it's one o'clock now!"

"Why, Clara! what do you mean?" asked the physical instructor of Central High. "It is not possible that Evangeline Sitz would fail to appear at such a time as this?"

"And with so much depending on her?" shrieked Jess Morse. "Impossible!"

"Something has happened to her," said Laura, aghast.

"Has n.o.body seen her?" demanded Mrs. Case.

n.o.body had.

"I'll run to father's office and telephone," suggested Nellie Agnew.

"They have a telephone at the Sitz farm, haven't they?"

"Of course," rejoined Laura. "Do run, Nell!"

The group, mostly made up of juniors, was horror-stricken by the fact that one of the most dependable of the girls was missing. But a senior who stood near said, scoffingly: