Daily Republican. [volume] ([Wilmington, Del.]) 1874-1890, 1882-03-21
house in terrible whirl of perplexit,


houSo III IcIriDlo WHIT OF perplex1ty
and doubt.
1t was not the approaching race thai
troubled his mind, but the prospective
duel which weighed most heavily upon
his conscience.
Conscience whispered to retrace his
steps, apologize, and seek to settle the
affair amicably, but an exacting sense
OF honor and self pride impelled him
onward to the verge of the fearful!
abyss.
He dreaded to meet Minnie Stock
we'll, although it was not possible that
news of the affair had as yet reached
her ears.
But he felt an overwhelming sense of
guilt, and told himself that he would
never dare look her in the face again.
\ He had come down to the lake to take
his regular exercise at the oars, but so
troubled was the state OF his mind that
he could not compose himself sufficient
ly to enter the boat house, and so had
sought the solitude of little strip of
sandy beach Just below the boat house,
where growth of oak came down to
the waters edge
He paced resJlessly up and down,
| "h"ppON III u'lOtshNt anu uobt'l uOb uO"
fast the time passed until Suddenly he
heard a rustic in the shrubbery on the
bank above his head, and lifting his
gaze his heart almost stood still to per-
cslve Minnie Stock well, the beauty of
Fairview, and his pledged love, gazing
down upon him in surprise.
"Why Tom :" exclaimed the beauty,
What are you doing here in this
strange p,a &c. have been looking all
about for you. Your services are much
needed think II the boat house. There
is much decorating Yet to be done, and
nobody kno rs how to do that but you"
yes" said Ton, hu,kIly, after sew.
eral inctf cJual eft JrCs to clear his throat.
"Ges, Minnie, | will go now. got in.
to one of my thinking moods and for
got myself. by gracious, ! did nov
think it was so late. Oue hour of noon,
aud tho regatta is to commence at two
o'clock"
Minnie, keen little maiden, gave Ton
searching glance as she scrambled
down the bank to his side.
With kind OF womanly instinct she
guessed that there was something
weighty upon her bog lovers mind, but
| QUIZ bC'ldyNA NV VIC huOW ltuRf.
eyes, and my brave knight, it is even
nigh time for you to don your arlnor
aud enter the lists. SEE, have chosen
your color, blue, for you. May it give
you good luck"
:" pray heaven it may" said Tom,
in au unusually devout tone. Then, as
though he had forgotten himself:
~ thank sou for tbs good wish and
will try to prove myself worthy
knight"
But his mad yertant tone had not ess
capped Minnie, and she was not de-
ceived by his assumed air of gayety.
Tom," she suddenly exclaimed,
stopping ere they had got two thirds of
| the way to the boat house, wait right
here. What is the matter with you.
Tell me right here, surely have right
| to know
"Yes-no nothing is the matter with
me-" stammered Tom, feeling very un-
comfortable.
'Have you been betting heavily upon
this race"
Tom sud lenly assumed solemn ex.
preston of COuntenanCe.
'tNo, not one cent, Minnie. But, hang |
it, might as well tell you what is the |
matter now as any time. Great Heaven,
it is fearful, Minnie, you can be moth
ing more To me now
Minnie StOckwell's beautiful face
turned ashy pale
"W hat do you mean, Tom"
II have nopelessly discharged |
my self"
Glow"
'ln alGo wing myself TO get mad and |
challenge Hartley Brandon to d Gu l."
"IOu challenge him"
Gle understood it so, and when he
picked it up could not back out.
"Oh Tom"
81 know it is an everlasting dis
grace"
II am very sorry
Tom Coulu not bear the term of re-
proach and he covered lis face with
his hands.
But.only for a moment did or Zero
inc suine a reproaChtnl attitude; then
she advanced and put both arms around
her lovers neck.
"Why should not he as much to
you now as ever, Tom
CATER disgraclug MYSELF" and Tom
uncovered his face in surprise,
Eyes, Tom, AN vary'sDrry that you
were led into the duel. But were | not
true TO you in need would be truly un-
worthy your love
"Thauk heavenn' was all impulSive
Tom said, ca, ching the form of his true
love in his strong arms and straining
her TO him in one passionate embrace.
And that afternoon no happier man
pulled an oar to the starting line on
Crystal Lake than injudcions and hasty
yet generous and noble he lrtel Tom
Hathaway.
In the start, Hartley Brandon obtain.
which he alao turned first, Matters now
looked AZ though he had an easy vic
tory.
But an experienced eye would have
perceived at a glance that the race was
far from being decided. Tom Hatha.
way has been pulling a long. regular,
careless stroke, keeping at a uniform t
distance, while Brandon, thinking him :
self hard pushed, had pulled for all he a..
was worth, max ing truly II tremendous !
mace, and leaving the remaining two /
contestants far down the course and {
out of the race. Tom smiled 1
as he turned his stake and cut skill
fully across Brandon's stern. Not
until within half mile of home did he
begin to exhibit his tremendous
pc vers.
TIL 5n he drew long breath, straight.
ened his broad shoulders, and with a S
couple Of marvellous lightning strokes
lhnt a notch tn his nl
sary. c
But Brandon rallied and bore do WI .
within hundred yards of home G
Iength in advance.
Now came the final scratch.
The continuation Of"DuNALD DARKE,
THE BALTIMORE DETECTIVE" from
where it steps here, will be found in o
No. q of the NEW YORK WEEKLY, now :, ,
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