The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1880-03-08

| L DeileNe sue WOulu nave dsSlSteu Ill tillS
arrangement if the other had been the
winner. Sinclair was vexed at this. He
fought so hard to gain the prize, and
then to lose what he considered its great
value, was more than he could bear. Ae-
cordingly all through the evening he
generous spirit to his wearing the trophy,
and to such an extent as to arouse the
sympathy of Blanche for his rival. Wal
dron received his remarks with great for
bearance, expecting, as is always the
case, that he would, if he should not
specially. defend himself, find in her his
advocate. At last still more vain re-
mark from Sinclair about his excellent
shooting aroused Blanche to the highest
pitch, and taking rather nervously from
her bosom gold locket, said:
"Mr Sinclair, do not believe you are
better shot than Mr.. Waldron, and to
test it, whoever is the winner tomorrow
shall have this locket. 1t is gift of an
old friend, and l prize it very highly"
Waldron instantly interposed and
begged her to withdraw her OFF,, but
Blanche was firm, and he had nothing to
do but accept the situation. By this
time the conversation was anything but
pleasant, and the party broke up for the
night. Waldron and Sinclair, who hal
the previous night tossed themselves
restlessly, were soon, from their unusual
fatigue, lost in sleep, but Blanche could
not compose herself. More than ever she
hated Sinclair. How unfavorably his
conduct compared with Mr.. Waldron.
A victor should be magnanimous-not
mean and contemplate. Such thoughts
as these kept running through her mind
until Blanche came to regard Waldron
with special favor, and wished to the
bottom Of her heart that he might win
and wear her locket-so rapidly had he
by force of circumstances taken posses
sion of her thoughts.
The next morning was repetition of
the same lovely weather as the day be-
fore. As they parted at the door each took
the same route he had done previously.
The fine braciDg morning sent the rich
blood bounding through their veins.
Sinclair's pointer felt its influence too
as with nose breast high and magnificent
pace he quartered his ground. Soon it
was evident he winded the birds by his
change of gait. Now he has them. What
a sight! Rigid as marble and every
feature of his fine head intensified with
excitement. The setter may be in many
cases the preferable dog to the pointer,
but as thing of beauty there is no
equal to the latter when pointing his
game. In a moment Sincl ir was behind.
A whir from score of wings. Two
rrels and clean miss. Bad luck for
the beginning. 1t never left him during
the day. The fates seemed to be against
him. Waldron, on the other hand, was
more fortunate. With good sense he
sought the coveys he had found the
previous day. Both he and his dog were
calmer, and he made many a beautiful
shot as quail after quail sprang from the
ground. The evening was setting in, and
Sinclairs heart began to fail him. From
across the hills he heard the frequent re-
ports of his rivals gun, when he met an
old friend. Tom Hardy, with mongrel
by his side. Tom was hanger-on at a
country store at the crossroads, and shot
for livelihood.
"What are you doing here, Tom?"
"Been shooting little, Mr.. Sin
clair"
"Any luckw
'1 believe have dozen or So"
"Let me see them"
Tom ransacked his pockets and counted
out fifteen birds.
81 will take them and pay you the
next time see you
"All right, Mr.. Sinclair"
| Sinclair put them in his bag among
those he had shot, and they parted. A
smile stole across his face as he thought
/ will have the locket now. He bagged
but one more bird and night forced him
to turn his face homeward. He was the
first to arrive. Blanche was waiting fol
them. She saw him come and involun
tarily tried to avoid him, but he called
out, "Miss Blanche, come count them fol-
yourself" One after one he lay then
before her until the bench in the veran
dah was completely filled. Forty-three ir
all, including one woodcock. Ralph
Waldron saw the immense amount oi
dead game as he came up and knew at &
glance it must be close contest. Ht
had not had time to count his own, ant
5 therefore drew them out as Blanche ex
7 tended her hand to receive them. When
he had counted as far as thirty-eight, il
, became truly exciting. Blanche hoped
r they would hold out, he feared they
t would not. Forty-two. Alas, he was de
. feated again.
, at is my locket," said Sinclair.
"You shall have it, sir" replied
Blanche, irritated at his haste in claim
, ing what she had never any intention O.
! denying.
r "Take it now," and she instantly un
7 looscned it from her chain and handed
it to him.
| Thanks" and he quietly put it int
his waistcoat pocket. Waldron exceed
| ingly regretted he should have been tin
t occasion of the loss to Blanche of any
thing so valuable, and particularly tha
e which she had priced highly, and SO ex