Middletown transcript., 1882-03-24
CHAPTER 1.
- 1rAT N n. r

Hartley Brandon, brand you as a
liar!'
A silence like death ensued in the
assembly-room of the Crystal Lake Boat
Club as these words, uttered in calm
but forcible tone, rang through the
hall.
flushed was all conversation now,
and all eyes we're turned upon the
speaker, who stood with his back to the
closed door Of the spacious apartment.
Tall and erect was his handsome
figure, and betokening, in every inch Of
its muscular proportion, wire and
strength most remarkable.
The chestnut curls were thrown care
lessly back from the lofty brow, and
the firm, unfinching blue eyes flashed
defiance upon the object Of his wrath.
Hartley Brandon, the recipient Of the
rather pointed accusation, confronted
the speaker with an angry attitude, his
short, stocky form drawn up to It's
fullest height, and his coarse, bloated
visage working with fierce expressions
of hatred and maleyolence.
Both were members Of the club, the
first by name Thomas Hathaway, the
son Of poor but honest church-golnig
machinist. Hartley Brandon was old
Wesley Brandon's son, the richest man
in Fairview, and who also bore the by
no means enviable name of the meanest.
1t was the occasion of the final meet
ing of the club previous to its great re-
gatta. to be held the following day.
All the members were present, and the
president was about to rap the assembly
to order, when Thomas Hathaway's
forcible exclamation resounded through
the apartment.
Instantly things became upon the
g,ti Uire. and all turned in the direction
Of the excitement.
Trouble was rightly anticipated, for
the members of the Crystal Wave Club
were, without exception, young men OF
blood. and who would never allow an
insult to 60 unavenged.
Hartley Brandon, | brand you as a
liar ~
Hartley Brandon drew back as though
shot by a bullet, and then a frightful
CLEAN of malevolence shot into his dark
ewes. and his right arm was raised IN
menancing attitude.
'sDare you call me a liar, Thomas
Hathaway ?"
Hartley Brandon, 1 speak but the
truth. You lie, and you know it, II
you say that fouled you in last years
races. You know that you turned my
stake instead of your own, so forcing
me almost to the farther shore, and in
truth fouling me-"
'tThomas Hathaway, did not turn
your stake, and did not foul you. You
have no proof Of it, and furthermore
for calling me liar, title which be-
longs to yOu--"
sSHold - cried Tom Hathaway, an,
grily. "Do not give me the lie, Hart
ley Brandon, or lou may rue it to the
last day of your life. Just control youl
bull temper moment, and let me argue
a little with you. You may have beer
too heated and excited in the race t.
notice which stake you turned, but a
Heaven is my witness, it was mine
And as for crossing your bow and CIV
ing you my back-water, | was obliged
to do so in order to prevent striking
buOy.''
Enough said. 1t is mere vast
Of time to argue. l know how the at
fair was as well as you. and also an
well aware Of the fact that you playe
a mean game, for which you will b
repaid before you die. J"
Toms face flushed hotly.
Perhaps you may feel inclined t
repay it upon the spot ?''
g I accept the challenge, " cried Bran
don, wheeling upon his foe. " And
as the challenged one have the right t
appoint the time, place, and weapons
If YOU are not a coward, you will no
back out. Here is my card "
Tom Hathaway's 1.-THE form quivere
for moment with suppressed passion
But for moment, however, did thi
last, and then he drew back a steI
while his face turned to an ash
pallor.
Even in the heat of his passion h
was not unmindful of the voice of pru
dence, which was whispering in his ea
at that moment. Not that Tom was
coward, that is, except morally. No
indeed but he well knew what dis
grace would be visited upon him, ant
the family as well, if he accepted Hart
ley Brandon's challenge and fought tn
duel.
And innate within our hero, was
sense Of family pride which, in spite o
his poverty, would at times like tn
present assert itself.
But, alas few hasty words tn
next moment drowned effectually tn
promptings Of conscience, and impul
sive Tom Hathaway made the greatest
and we'll nigh most fatal mistake of hi
life.
"Ah ~ cried Hartley Brandon, hi
dark face assuming triumphant eX
preston. He hesitates-he dare no
accept the challenge. Any cur woulC
have resented that"
"Hold ~ cried Tom, the fires of {
terrible anger seething within his breast
"Hold, Hartley Brandon ]! Were tel
thousand devils at your back l would
make you retract the insult. Even thu
worm will squirm when he is trot
upon. I accept your challenge. NJ
card. You will find my second at the
Globe tomorrow morning at ten.
The first person on whom Toms eye
rested as he turned away, and with bu
one thought, that of leaving the room
to make his way home was slender
built youth Of some eighteen summers
He was the youngest member Of tn,
Crystal Lake Club, by name Herber
Sinclair, and particularly attached t.
Tom for in younger days Tom had res
cued him from drowning in the lake.
Sinclair worshipped the very grounC
upon which Tom Hathaway walked
and when Toms eyes fell upon him, h
felt instinctively that he had a frient
whom he could trust.
"Tom, +" said Sinclair, his eyes meet
ing his friends in look Of sympathy
"must you fight that boor ?''
$50 it seems,'' said Tom, in a hal
ashamed manner. I'm very sorry m,
anger carried me SO far. wish l wer
We'll out OF IH6 5CIdp6.
Why" exclaimed Sinclair, in sur
prise, you are not afraid of Hartle,
BrandonP Everybody knows he is
coward" :"