Daily Republican. [volume] ([Wilmington, Del.]) 1874-1890, 1882-03-21
az Brandon's challenge aud fought the

! '"V bTanuOn : CualIbllbt duu IOuBuU tHt
duel.
and innate within our hero, was Z
sense of family pride which in spite o
his poverty, wouli ~ times like tn,
| present assert itself.
Blu, alas a few hastv words thu
next moment drowned etfectually the
promptings of conscience, and impul.
sive TON ilthaway made the greatest
4 well nigh most fatal mistake Of his
life.
"Ah !" cried Hartley Brandon, his
dark face assuming Il triumphant ex.
preston. ole hesltateS-he dare not
accept the challenge. Any cur would
have resented that"
"Hold!' cried Tom. the fres Of a
| tIrible anger seething within hi
bre'st. "iold. Hartley Brandon
We're ten thousand devils at your back
| would make yOu rttract the insult
Even the worm will squirm when he is
trOl upon. | accept your challenge.
Ny card. Iou will find my second at
| the Globe 10 morrow morning at ten. !"
The first person on whom Toms eyes
rested as he turned away and wirh but
one thought that OF Leaving tha room
to make his way home was q slender
built youth Of some eighteen ~ nm rs.
He was tho youngest msinbrr OF the
Crystal Lake Club, by name Herbert
Sinclair, and particularly attached TO
Tom; for in younger DAYS TON had res
cued him from drowning in the lake.
Sinclair worshIped the very ground
upon which Tom Hathaway walked,
and when TONS eyes tel upon him, he
felt instinc'ively that he had friend
whom he could trust
"rjrn," said Sinclair, his eyes meet.
ing his friend in look OF sympathy,
"must you fight that boor?"
$50 il seems" said Tom, in half
ashamed manner, "l'm very sorry my
anger carried me 20 far | wish | were
well out Of the scrape.'
"Why." exclaimed Sinclair in sur
prise "you are not afr aid of Hartley
Brandon? Everybody knows he is
coward"
afraid! Eddie, all the inmates of
the lower region could not fr!ghten
Tom Hathaway. No, il is not that.
What will father and IN >thrr say? And
then, surprising kill him?"
eyes, it's bad" asseuted Sinclair.
" But then you are the challenged par
ty."
"He has it the other way"
"Did you challenge him?'
"No."
"Then hoy can that be-"
"Because he chose to cogstrue re-
mark of mine as challenge"
g.. Ca.
81 am, and in truth, Eddie, | wish |
had never gone into the race with
him."
SIS he not in your race tomorrow ?"
ole is; and ! have a strong PRESENT.
ment that it would be better to with.
draw"
"No," cried Sinclair, do NOT, Tom
The fact Of his being in the same race
need not debar you. All the interest
Of the day will be lost, or nearly all the
village folks will go to see you row."
Tom did not reply, but stood for II few
moments gazing down upon the floor
his head, and suddenly graspel Sin.
clair's hand. The.other knew what was
coming.
"SiBclair, you are friend of niue
will you stand by me in my hour Of
need?"
81 will Tom
81 will not forget the favor, and will |
stand your friend forever"
81 will be- your friend, Tom"
"En ugh! | hope you may never DO
sorry for it."
When the meeting of the club was
dismissed that night, Tom Hathaway
made his way homeward III a not COM
'ortable frame OF mind.
There were other reasons besides those
If mere reputation and an unenviabIe
which led him to dread the
,omiug duel.
OIL DTER IL