The Sunday herald., 1886-10-24


slipped their shell quietly into the water
and showed off.
"Ah, this Is business 70 exclaimed Cleland.
as he found himself swinging away at Keprs
old, even, long stroke once more. The other
two men were trained TO the same method,
but they were not 80 familiar with the well
knotted back rising and falling in front Of
them with the precision Of q Cerliss engine;
but they soon caught the inspiration.
The weazened little coxswain was in his
element; with q "stroke" who knew his
business he could scold the others limit.
lessly, and scold he did, sparing not even
his revered Cleland.
II there was lingering doubt In any
body's mind It was forever banished, when
after long practice the new man on his
first pull took them DIP to the float with
squirt that tried even the Captains metal;
and Sargent's oar dropped from his fierveless
grasp when they were Atty yards away.
"Now, boys, be modest and unassum.
ing," said the Captain, as the crew were
dressing after their shower bath, "not q
word Of our expectations TO any one. Our
good principles give us the right TO win, and
there is no reason now why we cannot back
them up with there requisite might
The party at the Fessendens was already
assembled In full force when the Captain and
Kent entered the rooms. Not . group but
was talking Of the coming races.
The ladies Of the set were In high feather;
triumph is always sweet to woman, and this
one was 10 bs especially so by the addition
Of revenge for Sights which they fancied they
had sustained. They considered, too, Gle.
land and his men prigs In their virtues aud
abstemiousness.
II is strange that q "rake'' should be more
popular with young ladies than man Of
solid worth, that their delicate senses should
call the odor Of wickedness an aroma and not
taint.
Miss Hartyel was being talked to by q cir.
ole Of youth Of the brown handle pattern,
who we're trying to win her sympathies for
the crew call the jolly girls aud good fellows
are backing"
The fair, pale face seemed little con
temptuous, but she was listening politely.
"You are sure TO be on the winning side,
you know" urged young Harper.
"That is pleasant, truly, but are the best
and bravest men always on the winning
side, Mr.. Harper I"
Sheseemed to want negative answer, but
assented TO the numerous Alternatives half
sadly.
"T should very much have liked to think
we'll Of defeated man, but II was quite evi
dent he deserved not to win.'
Turning as she spoke to see who was GRE
atiug the commotion, she met Kent's pens-
trating, passionless eye fixed full upon her,
and recognized, too, Cleland's honest voice re-
turning the sharp fire poured upon him.
| His back was toward her and he moved down
the room without seeing her, but she felt
Kent had seen her change color and was
angry at him. "What right had he to watch
herf wonder II anything could make
him blush," she thought, and studiously
avoided him. But Kent was in no hurry; he
had point to make, and with the confidence
of a practiced hand had no doubt he should
do It.
After the guests began to depart Kent met
her with a respectful bow Of recognition.
"Well, Mr.. Kent, are You still haunting
racing circles Z"
eyes. have been honored once more by
the confidence of brave man," he said
quietly.
"You have learned nothing from expert
euos, theni''
"Ah you remember a time when l was
not victorious So do l."
Alice changed color slightly in spite of her.
self. What did that last phrase meant
ooh, find no fault with your rowing
only should say your star was in the as
cendant.''
shed its influence over the college boat"
Like flash the thought crossed her mind
could 1t be that this penetrating man blamed
her for the loss of his race and his fame Sh,
remembered how desperately he had worked
for victory. Could it be that all the ntoriei
of ovil conduct among the crew were false
and-a flush suddenly suffused her face.
81 should hardly call the allurements oil
vice the rays Of a STAR"
Before Kent could answer the Captain
hand was laid on his arm, with frant
"glad to see you" to Miss Hartyel.
"Come, old man, we must set the exampl
of an early start"
As Kent turned away he said quietly t.
Alice, "By my life you are mistaken"
The contrast between Kent's scrutinizini
gaze and the Captains open, oheerful smii,
sent every fibre Of an old passion vibrating
In the naughty girl.
In the three weeks remaining before the
race Kent played his cards we'll. He mad
himself agreeable at the Fessendens. II,
won the confidence of Miss Hartyel, ant
really without effort, for he loved to think o
his Captain; told such charming little storie
OF him as to fully reconvince Alice of the no
bility Of character she had once attributed
Clsland. But Cleland himself was goinI
sturdily about his business, ignorant of til
chances working in his favor and trying !
stife his love.
The great event Of the season was din
ner and reception after the races, preside
over by ladies chosen by the crew victoriou
in the first race, which was of course for III
home crews. The mistress Of the fete fO
the Atlantas and her assistants had alread
been chosen, but no one had yet been foun
brave enough to accept the position for th
Windamere.
, There was large lawn party at the Bun
tons only three days before the races, an
, the Windamers lack of glove to fight Il
> was the cause Of good many slurs and col
siderable satisfied laughter. The Captai
I, and Kent, walking up the grounds to = ga
I Persian tent where the hostess received, wei
a the victims Of q running fire Of taunt au
: wittiJism on this score.
When they turned and greeted Mi
> Hartyel's group the usual battery openst
: Ths Captain passed Il of as good-natursdl
= as possible. "They were not, OF course, g
3 ing to win, so he had not thought II nscs
' ' ssry to attend to that matter, etc.," bl
Kent turned suddenly on the fair, laughir
!, group
"Miss Hartyel, you are always ou the sic
. Of down-trodden virtue; why will you N
accept the position Of patron saint II Il
4 Windamsre I"
A The captain heard aud fatrIy turne
q white at Konts boldness. Expecting
" sharp blow In return. he instinctively Dire
p near the reckless Kent, as he had so ofts
a done In the old shoulder-to shoulder days.
: Alice was a little paler, too, but her vol
came clear as bugle call.
!. "Are you, Mr.. Kent, quite the one TO of
me the honorf thought II was the Ca
m tain's gift"
- The Captain was slow man to begin
battle, but once the action opened, no.
"a prompter than he.
A. "Miss Hartyel, Mr.. Kent's uuwarrant
II boldness brings me to a leap am by
p" means 10th to take. l should feel honored
10 have refusal from you, and an acceptan
n would put new life into the boat. beg "
N In behalf Of the Windamere TO bs mistress
"a the ceremonies In case We win the race"
\, Every eye was on Alice.
~ do indeed believe In the principles u
n der which You work, and willingly acce
NJ the position as an honor in any event."
10 The Captain could scarcely believe
- ears. He would not trust himself to spea
:, but lowed low and passed on. Kent flash