The daily gazette., 1882-03-23


fetsionaI to eQlial Il, aud among the gam
blers Brandon was the favorite.
There were three pltted against him,
one Of whom was Tom Hathaway, and
Reckless Tom was the only opponent
Brandon bad cause 10 fear. T
It Was not really known whether Tom
would Participate In the race or not,
nothing having been learned from him
since the previous night.
He was not upon the river this morn
ing at the customary pull, and this fact
gave Brandon much satisfaction.
"The impudeht puppy" be mut!ersd,
as he rounded the upper two-mile stake
and glanced homeward over the clear
shimmering surface Ct the lake. "One
thing In my favor, he will not be in
practice. Perhaps he will not make an
appearance when the race will surely
be mIne. hope though that be will be
present, for know that / can beat him,
and IL will be great satisfaction for me
to do So"
Tom at that moment was pacing the
shore at Crystal Lake below the toat-
house in terrible whirl OF parplexity
and doubt. d.
1t was not the approaching race that
troubled his mind, but the prospective
duel which weighed most heavily upon
bis conscience.
Conscience whispered to retrace his
steps, apologize, and seek TO settle the
affair amicably, but an exacting sense Of
honor and false pride impellei him on
ward to the verge. of the fearful abyss.
He dreaded to meet Minnie Stock well
although 1t was not possible that news
OF the affair bad as yet reached her
ears.
But he felt an overwhelming sense OF
guilt, and told hin self that be would
never dare look her in the face again.
He bad come down to the lake TO take
his regular exercise at The oars, but s.
troubled was tie state OF his mind that
he could not compose himself sufficient
ly to enter the boas-hou,e, and 50 had
sought the solitude OF littls strip Of
sandy beach just below the boat house,
where a growth Of oak came down to
the waters edge.
He paced restlessly up and down,
wrapped in thought, and noticed not
how fast the time pas ed until suddenly
he beard rustic In the shrubbery on
the bank above his head, and lifting his
gaze his heart almost stood still to per-
ceive Minnie Stockwell, the beauty of
Fairview, and his pledged love, gazing
down upon him in surprise.
"Why Tomw exclaimed the beauty,
''WhAt are you doing here In this strange
place. have been looking all about
for you. Your services are much needed
think at the boat-honss. There Is
much decorating yet to be done, and no.
body knows how to do that but you"
eyes," said Tom, huskily, after sew
eEaI Intellectual efforts to clear his throat.
ayes, Minnie, will go now. l got
into one cfmy thinking moods and for
got myself By gracious, did not
know 1t was so late: One hour of noon,
and the regatta is TO commence at two
O'clock"
Minnie, keen little maiden, gave Tom
q searching glance as she scrambled
down the bank to his side.
With kind womanly instinct she
guessed that there was something weigh
| ty upon her boy lovers mind, but she
betrayed not the knowledge.
"Yas, and my brave knight, it is even
nigh time for you TO don your armor
and enter the lists. Sse, have chos en-
your color, blue, for you. May 1t give
you good luck"
81 pray Heaven It may" said Tom,
In an unusually devout tone. Then, as
though he had forgotten himself, 81
thank you for the good wish and will
Try to prove myself worthy knight"
But his inadvertent tone had not es-
capped Minnie, and she was not deceived
BY his assumed air of gayety.
"Tom," she suddenly exclaimed, stop
ping ere they had got-thirds of the way
10 the boat-house, "wait right here.
What Is the matter with you. Tell me
right here. Isulely lave q right to
know.n
"Yes-no, nothing is the matter with
me, stammered Tom, feeling very un-
comfortable.
'sHave you been betting heavily upon
this race?"
Tom suddenly assumed solemn ex-
preston Of countenance.
"No, not one cent, Minnie. But,
hang it, might as well tell you what Is
the matter now as any Tina. Great heav-
en-, it is fearful Minnie, you can be
nethlng more to me now"
Minnie Stockwell's beautiful face turn
cd ashy pale.
"W6at do you mean, Tom 2"
"I-I have hopelessly disgraced my
SELF"
"How?"
TN allowing myself to get mad and
challenge Hartley Brandon TO duel"
"Ycu challenged him?"
GHe understood 1t 30 and when he
picked 1t up oould not back out"
"Ob, Toni"
81 know it is an everlasting disgrace"
81 am very sorry"
Tom could not bear the term of re-
proach anj he covered his face with his
bands.
But only for o moment did our hero
inc assume reproaehful attitude; then
she advanced and put both arms around
her lovers neck.
"Why should not be as much to you
now as ever, Tom?"
"After dtsRracing myself ?" and Tom
uncovered bis face In surprise.
ayes, Tom, l am very soIry that you
we're led into the duel. But were l not
worthy your love.
nTbank heaveu!" was all impulsive
Tom said, catching the form of his true
love in his strong arms and stTatning
her to him in one passionate embrace.
And that afternoon no happier man
pulled an oar to the starting-line on
Crystal Lake than iDju licious aud hasty
| yet, generous aud noble.hearted Tom
Hathaway.
In the start, Hartley Brandon obtaiu-
ed the lead aud kept it to the s. AXE which
| be also turned first. Matters now look
ed as though he had an easy victory.
But an experienced eye would have
peroei Ved at Q glance that the,,T ace was fSr
from being decided. Tom Hathaway had
been pulling long, regular, careles :,