They sent the ivories rolling down the table to rebound from the lower cushion and come gently back, side by side. All waited anxiously for the balls to stop. They rolled up to the head cushion, against which they lodged and “froze.”
“Tie,” declared Bruce. “You’ll have to try it over.”
They did so, and on the second trial Dick obtained a slight advantage, which gave him the lead. Frank was wondering just how skilful his antagonist would prove to be, and he watched closely the manner in which Starbright made his first shots.
Dick studied the positions of the balls a moment, and then made a skilful draw that brought them together in a group. Immediately, Merry understood that he had no easy task before him. He saw on Dick’s face a look of resolution and determination, and he knew the big freshman would play as if for his very life.
“He means to win the privilege of having Inza in his sleigh—if he can,” thought Frank. “That’s plain enough. A careless stroke or the least let up on my part may mean defeat.”
He knew now that he must be on his mettle to the very finish. Glancing toward Inza, he saw her dark eyes fastened on Dick, and she was watching the play with breathless interest that seemed anxiety.
“Is it possible she wishes him to win?” Frank asked himself. “It almost seems so. If I thought it, he should win, even were I able to defeat him.”
But his heart rebelled against the thought, and again he resolved to play the match at his best.
Having the balls together, Starbright proceeded to nurse them in a skilful manner, running thirteen points, and then missing an easy massé.
“Oh!” exclaimed Inza, with a catch of her breath. “You stopped at thirteen! That’s an unlucky number.”