National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1882-04-01
CHAPTER I.
THE CHALLENGE,
l brand you as a llnrp

A silence like death ensued in the assembly,
OF the Cyrstal Lake Boat Club as these words,
uttered in calm but forciblo tone, rang through
the hall.
flushed was all conversation now, and all eyes
wero 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 be-
tokening, in every inch of its muscular proper
tions, wire and strength most remarkable
The chestnut curls were thrown cArelessly back
from the lofty brow, and the firm, uniinching
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, bloaed visage
working with fierce expressions OF hatred and
malevolence.
Both were members of the club, the first by
name Thomas Hathaway, tho son of a poor but
honest church going machnist. 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 meeting of the
club previous to its great regatta, to be held the
following day. All the members were present, and
the president about TO rap the assembly to Or
| der, when Thomas Hathaway's forcible exclama-
| ton resouuded through the apartment.
| Instantly things became upon tho q,i riue, and
| all turned in the direction of the excitement.
| Trouble was rightly anticipated for the mem
| bers of tho Crystal Wave Club were, without ex-
| ception, young men Of blood, and who would
never allow an insult to so unnvenged.
| Hartley Brandon, brand you as n liarr
Hartley Brandon drew back though shot by
bullet, and then frightful CLEAN of malcvolence
shot into his dark eyes, and his right arm was
raised in a menacing attitude.
| "Dare you call me a liar, Thomas Hathaway
Hartley Brandon, speak but the truth. You
lie, and you know it, If you say that fouled you
in last years races. You know that you turned
my stake instead Of your own, so forcing me al
most TO the farther shore, and in truth foulnG
me-"
"Thomas Hathaway, did not turn your stake
and did not foul you. You have no proof of 1t
and Furthermore for calling me liar, a title
which belongs to you-"
Hold r. cried Tom Hathaway, anPriy. "Dc
n ot give me the lie, Hartley Brandon, or You may
rue It to the last day Of your life. Just contro
your bull temper n moment, and let me argue Q
little with you. You may have been too heated
and xcited in the ruce to notice which stake you
turnc d, but, as Heaven is my Witness ii was mine
And as for crossing your bow and giving you my
back water, was oblig cd to do so in order to pre-
vent striking buoy"
Enough said. 1t is mere waste of time tc
argue. | know how the affair was as well as you
aud also am well aware Of the fact that you played
u ilChH BhhiNi IVA hh'Sh sSH hiii w iVphlu bSlOIN
you die"
Perhaps you may feel inclined to repay 1t upon
ii accept the challenge" cried Brandon, wheel.
ing upon his foe; "and, as the challenged one
have The right to appoint the time, place, and
weapons Ii you are not coward, you will moi
, now back out, Here Is my card"
Tom ilnthaway's 1.-the form qnivered for mo.
: ment with suppressed passion. But fora moment
4 however, did this last and then he drew back d
, step, while his face turned to an ashy pallor.
Even in the heat of his passion he wRs not un.
mindful of the voice of prudence, which was whis
o pering in his ear at that moment. Not that Tom
wns coward-thatiS except morally. No, indeed
n but he well knew what disgrace would be visited
i upon him and the family as well if he accepted
y Hartley BrRndons challenge and fought the duel
| And innate within our hero WnR sense of family
pride which, in spite of his poverty would at time!
/ like the present assert itself
drowned etiectually the prompungs of conscience
. aud impusive Tom hathaway made the creates
; and well-nigh most intal mistake Of his life
! "AhW cried Hartley Brandon, his dark face as
suming ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS "He hesiiRtes-
he dare not accept the challenge Any cur would
"Hoid T. cried Tom, the fires of a terrible ange
seething within his breast Hold, Hartley Bran
, don't We're ten thousand devils ut your back
: would make You rcract the insult Even the worn
viii squirm when he Is trOd upon, ! accept you
~ challenge, My card, Nou will find my second n
the Globe tomorrow morning at ten."
II The first person on whom Toms eyes rested a
he turned away, and with but one thought, that 0
d slender. built youth Of some eighteen .ummers'
10 lie was the youngest member of the Crystal LAX
d Club, by name Herbert Sinclair, and particularly
T. attached to Tom; for in younger days Tom hat
@, rescued him from downing in the lake.
Is Sinclair worshiped the very ground upon whicl
n Tom Hathaway walked ana when Toms eyes fe
h upon him he felt instnctyely that he had frlen
whom he could trust,
Tom said Sinclair, his eyes meeting hi
p. friends in, look OF sympathy, must you fgh
>, that boorg
Z, so II seems" said Tom, in half. ashamed man
VI ner. I'm very sorry my anger carried me so fal
wish were well out of the scrape,"
"Mhy," exclaimed Sinclair, in surprise, "yo
are not afraid of Hartley Brandon2 Eyerybod
le knows lie Is u coward"
/ AFRAID Eddie, all the inmates of the lowe
rs region could not righten Tom Hathaway, No,
as is not that What will father and mother say
4 And then, supposng kill him"
~ Yes, it's bad" assented Sinclair; "but ther
n's you are the challenged party"
os os - He has it the other wayh
II "Did you challenge himT
~ "NO"
"Then how can that beY
Is Because he chose TO construe remark Of min
OF II am very sorry for you, Tom"
~ ~ am, and, in truth, Eddie, / wish had neYC
~ gone into the race with him."
as he not In your race TO- morrow %
"IIe is aud have strong presentment that
p. would be better TO withdraw"
mo" cried Sinclair " do not Tom, Tho fact
81 his being in the same race need not debar YOU
II the Interest Of the day viii be lost for nearly
4. | the village folk viii go 10 sec You row."
10 Tom did not reply but stood for a few mOmcn
q gazing down upon the floor in dreamy meditation
II Then he raised his head, and suddenly graspe
IS sinClair's hand The other knew what was CON
l. ing,s,..,.,. ,.,,,.o.o c.,o,a % ,,iro--vui 80
II stand by me now in my hour Of need"
Iwill, Tom"