CHAPTER XVI.
DARRELL CALLED INTO THE GAME.
Fairport’s new grand stand was filled long before the time arrived for the game with Fardale to begin.
As Hal Darrell entered he was both surprised and pleased to see, seated together, three girls, two of whom he knew, for they were Doris Templeton and Zona Desmond.
Zona smiled on Hal and bowed to him, but Doris seemed anxiously watching the Fardale players, who were grouped about their captain, near the bench.
“Oh, Doris!” cried Zona; “here is Hal! I say, here is Hal, Doris! Are you asleep?”
The girl addressed gave a slight start and greeted Hal with a fleeting smile and a welcoming word.
“This is my cousin, Miss Dale, Mr. Darrell,” said Zona. “She lives here, you know, and that’s how Doris and I happened to be here to-day.”
Hal bowed, cap in hand.
Bessie Dale, a freckled, vivacious, lively little girl, gave him a smile and a nod.
“I suppose you came to see your team beaten to-day, didn’t you?” she said, laughing.