The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1880-03-08
THE DAILY STAR
TIE RIVAL SP0RTSMEN.
EChicago Field.l

The sun, as great round ball of gold
On red. was fast descending through the
lovely purple haze of Indian summer,
which melGowed the distant hills of the
Blue Ridge Mountain with an indescrib-
able charm, as Ralph Waldron drove up
10 one of those old, but aristocratic man.
mons of the Shenandoah valley-the
home of some of the best blood of Vir-
ginia. He had been invited by its hos
pitable owner to spend Il few days in
quail-shooting among its rich stubbles.
The same day he came, Harry Sinclair,
q young farmer from an adjoining coun-
tv, had also arrived, ostensibly to enjoy
the rare shoOtings of the neighborhood,
but in reality to continue his address to
Blanche Randolph, the only daughter and
child of their host, and to whom for
twelve months he had vainly declared
his love. Ralph Waldron was welcomed
by the old friend of his father in the
hall, and as the door of the stately par
lor was opened, Blanche, with face tow
ard the setting sun and back to Sinclair,
was heard to say in a tender, womanly
voice, 'No, it can never be-" The noise
of their entrance attracted the attention
of the two, and Colonel Randolph at
once presented his young friend to his
daughter, and to the gentleman by her
side. 1t was an embarrassing situation
for her, but recovering herself instantly
with exquisite womanly tact, she bade
him welcome. Blanche Randolph was a
woman of peculiarly rare attractiveness
for one SO young, combining almost
faultless beauty with a grace of manner
chat was irresistible. These characteris-
tics she had inherited from long line of
ancestry that had claimed the fairest
daughters, whose beauty and wit had
been heightened by frequent participa-
ton in the out-door-sports of the coun-
try, and social intercourse with the most
Eallant gentlemen of the times. But the
most unwelcome visitor was Waldron to
Sinclair. He had hoped that in the soli-
tude of the country home, with no oppo-
GtiOn, he would at least persuade her to
be his own. When he saw Waldron
enter with such an air of culture and re-
finement, and of such prepossessing ap-
pearance, an indefnable dread leaped
into his heart-the future stepped back
into the present with prophetic clearness
there was his rival.
The evening passed pleasantly enough
for all but him. The Colonel told with
the rekindled fire of youth of the sports
of former days, when every man was a
fox-hunter--how he could stop the
whirring quail and silent wood-cock, the
music Of the deep-bayed hounds, and the
silent stalk of the ever-watchful stag,
until the time-piece at the head of the
stairs warned them that it was time to
retire. As they rose, Blanche went to
the mantle, took solitary bud from the
vase, and said: This is the last rose of
summer, it shall be his who brings the
larger number of birds tomorrow" As
the two young men separated, each de.
termined for himself that he would win
the prize. Waldron, as he lay trying to
entice sleep to his eyes, recalled with the
glow of young manhood the sweet
glances he had caught, and the more
eager he was to win her love. Sinclair
would defeat the city gentleman, and
have her fix with her own sweet hands
the rosebud in his button-hole before
the very eyes of his adversary. Thus
each lay with their thoughts till long
past midnight Blanche thought of them
too for a while, as a young maiden
mould, and quietly dropped off to sleep
not dreaming of the profound rivalry
she had melted. There is no deeper
sIain capable of taxing the young breast
Of manhood than the contest of winning
the appreciation of woman over the head
vf a rival.
Morning came and with it lovely
autumn day, clear and bracing. Blanche
stood in the hallway and babe then
adleu as each separated-one to the ives
the other to the east. All day long they
hunted every field and hedge row, urg
ing to the last degree their willing dogs
In the morning Waldron shot with ner
vousness, the effect of his sleepless nigh
and inward excitement and missed man,
birds that in calmer moment he would
have killed in the air. Sinclair wa
steadier, hut by no means in his bes
form. As evening drew on Waldron re
covered from his uneasiness, anaS thank
to the untiring and indomitable energ,
of his Irish setter, who was apparent,
better than in the morning, made u
much of his loss, while his competito
failed instead of improving. Twiligh
came too soon for each-the birds wer
all afield until at last in rising th
shooter had to drop to knee to get the
line of flight above the horizon. Quickl,
night settled down and reluctantly the,
had to stop. Each wended his wa,
homeward, anxious yet hopeful. Neve
did maiden attire herself more sweet,
than Blanche that evening Beauty
modesty, grace and gentleness combined
to lend her their great charms.
"How many, Mr.. Waldronw sal
Blanche as he came up the lawn in from
of the house.
"Only twenty-seven. I fear I hav
lost the bud which intended to hav
cherished to the last day Of my life,
and he looked ardently into her eyes.
"Then I trust you have won it," softl