The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1882-03-25
TO HIS ADVERSARY

banners, and fcs,oons Of red and blue cloth, the
eolors Of the club. and the immense dancing. hall
which 10 contained was put in readiness for the
evening ball after the sports Of the day were over
Such . carnival fairview had seldom before CT.
PeIisnesd, and was not again to witness for many
a day.
Nearly all the contestants In the diaeren, races
we're upon the river early taking their customary
exercise.
Hartley Brandon among them 10 his costly
cedar shell, made by Of the mos: experienced
boat builders IN the State aud which had cost it,
owner good round sum.
Brandon was incidentally good oarsman, indeed
being counted the crack Of the club by many, and
had been coached many weeks by one Of the most
experienced boating men In Maryland.
But an sHper, would end certain lack in what
10 called IN beating paranee, his delivery" that
10 the manner In which he made his stroke. Pro
fessionais generally made fuller and less jerky
stroke. not allowing the oar TO leave the water
soon.
OF this Brandon had been warned by his trainer.
but in bic usual puffy manner the son Of Fairview.
great magnaie had affirmed that he believed he
knew what stroke be could make the most speed
At. and that was In fast the stroke he wanted and
intended 20 adhere 20.
II was really not q bad stroke. aud wouli have
required ordinary professional 10 equal IL, and
among the gamblers Brandon va. the iavofiie
There we're three pttted against him, one Of whom
vas Tom Hathaway. and Reckless Ten was the
only opponent brandon had cause 20 fear.
IL was not really known whether TON would
participate In the race OF not, nothing having been
learned from him since the previous night.
lie Sas not upon the river this morning n, the
customary pull, and this fact gave Brandon much
Subtraction.
THE impudent puppy" he maitsrsI, a. he
rounded the upper two-miie stake and glanced
homesard over the clear shimmering surface Of
the lake. "One thing In nv favor, he uiii not be
/ heFhafsa he nj fus ka
ancs when the race will surely be mine. hope
though tha, be will be present, for knou that
can beat him. and 70 will be great Subtraction
for me 20 do 90"
Tom ~ tina, moment pacing the shore =,
Crystal Lake below the boat house In a terrible
whiFi Of peFplsSiiy and doubt.
IL vas no, the approaching race that troubled
his mind, bat the Prospeetivs duel uhich ueishsl
most heavily upon bis conscience.
Conscience whispered 90 retrace hi. steps. apollo
gEe. aud seek 10 settle the aGar Amicably bat an
eIAciing sense of honor and false pride impeilsi
him onward 90 the verge d the fearful abyss
lie dreaded % meet Minnie Stock veil. although
Il vas not possible that ness d the AFFAIR had .
yet reached her ears.
But he felt an over. hsIning sense Of guilt. and
told himself that be woala never dare look her in
the face again.
lie had come doun 20 the lake 10 take b.. resu-
lar exercise atthe oars bat troubled the state
q bis mind that be could no; compose himself
sought the solitude Of little strip Of sandy beach
just belos the boat house. where . grouth of OAK
came down 60 the waier's edge
lie paced restlessiy up ani ioun. wrapped IN
thosghi. and noted DOT hos fast the time passed.
until suddenly be heard a rustic IA the shrubbery
on the bank above bis head. And lifting his gaze
his heart almost stood still 10 perceive Minnie
stoekweli, the beauty Of FairView and bis pledged
love. CARING down upon him IN surprise.
Way Tom !! exclaimed the beauty, What are
a.
looking all about for you. Your services much
needed think 81 the b0at-h0ase. There 10 much
decorating yet 10 be done, AID nobody knows hos
% do that bat you
"Yss." sAid Tom, hsskily. AFTER several insaee-
tual Efforts 10 clear his throat. Eyes. Minnie, I
will 60 nov. got into one Of my ihinkins moods
and forgot myself BY gracious, did not kn0u
IL ras 80 late One hour Of noon. aud the regatta
Is 90 commence Al two o'clock"
Minnie. keen little maiden, gave Tom . search
ing glance a. she scrambled down the bank to his
side.
With . kind u womaniy instinct she guessed
tia, there vas something ueighty upon her boy
lovers mind. but she betrayed not the knouisdgs.
"ies. and my brave knight, IL is even nigh time
for you 10 don your and enter the lists. see
have chosen your color, blue. for you. May Il
give you good luck
81 pray Heaven IL may," said Tom, 10 an unusu-
ally devoui tone. Then. - though he had for
gotten himself.
tuauh you Ipf Tue Eotu Ntsu anu VIII try TO
prove myself worthy knight"
Bat hisinAdvertent tone bad not escaped Minnie.
and she was not deceived by his assumed air Of
gayesy.
"Ton." she suddenly exclaimed, stopping ere
they had got tso-thir Of the way 90 the boat
house. wait right here. What 10 the matter With
you. Tell me right here. I surely have right
20 know"
"Yes-no. nothing IL the matter with me-" STAN
msred Tom. feeling very uncomfortable.
"Hsse yea hees ssssias heavily uPsn this ssee,''
Ton suddenly assumed . solemn expression Of
eountsnanee.
"No, not one cent, Minnie. Bat. hang Il. I
might ~ vel tell you what 10 the matter uow ~
any time. Great Heaven. it 10 fearful. Minnie.
you can be nothing more 10 me now"
Minnie stoekveirs beautiful face turned ashy
pale.
"what do you mean Tom ?"
Ill have hoPsisssiy dissraosd mysslf."
an allowing myself 10 &c, mad aud challenge
Hartley Brandon 90 duel"
"You challenged him"
ale undsrstood IL %. and whsa he picked 1t up
could not back out"
"0h, Toni"
81 know Il IL an everlasting disgraee."
81 am very sorry"
Tom could MT bear the term Of rcproaeh and he
covered his face with HE hands.
But only for moment did our heroine assume
. reproaehful attitude; then she advanced and put
both arms around her lovers neck.
"why should not be much to you now as
ever, Tom 2"
"Aner disgraeing myseifl" aud Tom uncovered
his face In surprise.
Eyes, Tom, am very sorry that you we're led
into the duel. But were not true 10 you In need
would be truly unworthy your love-"
"Thank heayen?' was all inpuisivs Tom said,
catching the form Of his true In bis strong arms
and straining her 10 him In passinafe embrace.
And that afternoon no happier man pulled an
oar 70 the starting line on Crystal Lake than In
jadisious and hasiy yet generous and nobls-hsart-
ed Tom Hathaway.
In the start, Hartley Brandon obtained the lead
and kept u 10 the stake which he also tarned nrst
Matters nov looked as though he had an easy
victory.
Bat IN experienced eye would have preserved At
glance that the race vas far from being decided.
Tom Hathaway had been bulling long. regular,
careless stoke, keeping 1t q Uniform distance,
while brandon. thinking himself hard pushed, had
pulled for al he was worth, making truly tre-
msndous pace, and leaving the remaining two con-
testants far down the course and virtually out Of
the race. Tom SMILED as he turned his stake and
cut skillfully aeroaI Brandon's stern. Not until
uithin half nile 81 home did he hegin 10 exhibit
his tremendous powers.