They left the debased and discomfited rascals and filed out into the night.
“A good night’s work, boys,” were McRae’s last words, as he bade good-night to the party. “We’ve saved the league!”
It was a jubilant, rejuvenated Joe that occupied the box the next day and pitched the Giants to victory over the Brooklyns. Not only did he shut out the boys from over the bridge, but clouted two of the longest homers that had ever come from his bat. The rest of the Giant team, with two rookies in place of Hupft and McCarney, played behind him like the stars they were, and the newcomers more than held their own. Altogether it was a great day for the Giants and started them anew on the road to the championship which they were destined to win that year as they had the year before.
But it was a still greater day for Joe, for in a box as witness of his glorious victory was Mabel—Mabel who had come on with Reggie that morning to surprise him. The applause of the crowds was dear to him; the congratulations of his team mates were dearer still. But none of these compared with the joy that thrilled him at the words that fell from the lips of Mabel as he approached the box where she sat, flushed and sweet as a rose, looking at him with all her soul in her eyes.
“I am so proud of you, Joe,” she said. “So proud!”
THE END
Transcriber’s Notes: