The Sunday herald., 1886-10-24


proudly down 10 their boat, which had been
already placed for them. The earth seemed
10 rook with the cheering. Then the Win
iamere came carrying their boat Themselves
and launching II like clockwork.
There was no cheering; their few sup
porters were too busy taking wagers Of three
10 one against them.
The Atlsntas we're certainly promising
looking crew. Even Cleland's broad back
looked small beside their giant frames.
"They look like strong, splendid prize |
oxen," exclaimed one enthusiastic admirer |
near Alice, "aud the Windameres look like |
lean race horses," said an old gentleman |
back Of her with smiling bow.
Alice caught the hint and looked more |
and brave.
The Atlantss moved away from the float
with a strong, jerky stroke; they had "beef"
to spare. But Kent made no display. I'M
der his careless exterior he was bent on
gaining every iota Of advantage, for his
friends happiness was at stake, he knew.
So he padded and drifted awkwardly to
their place.
Alice felt little warm at the remarks
around her. "Was this the Kent who was
such matchless stroke ~ But she noticed
Kent did not miss the siake.boat by a hairs
breadth and sat quietly looking around him
while the Atlantas were backing and splash
ing into position.
Both crews came to "ready;" the Captains
eyes we're fixed on the back of Kent's neck,
but that gentleman with provoking coolness
dropped his oar 10 twist up the corners ofhis
mustaohe, which the wind had blown into
his mouth, and in that moment Clelaud lifted
his eyes to Alice Hartyel's face with such
look Of twin. or die" that she never doubted
his love for her.
Kent having brought down on himself the
curses Of the Atlantas aud the laughter OF
the crowd, and convinced his own men Of his
coolness, deigned to pick up his oar again,
came out on the reach, and fixed his eyes on
the starters pistol. II the watchers had
been near enough to see the light Of those
eyes they would have known there was 10 he
no fooling this time. The puff Of white
smoke was scarcely out before his oar dashed
the water on the second stroke and his men
were with him.
The Atlantas were q moment later, but
their rapid jerks soon carried them TO the
front, and amid cheers and waving handker.
chiefs they led the way to the first mile
stake. Kent followed with firm, graceful
sweep, the very rhythm Of motion, and giving
full play 10 all the mighty muscles Of the
back.
Alice felt her heart sink in spite Of her.
The Atlantss were Offering four 10 one on
their crew. But she heard subdued voice
say, 81 don't like the way that Windamere
stroke gets down to his work. He is too con-
foundedly easy about it,"
At the half-mile flag the Windameres had
drawn up on their rivals, but . sharp
"spurt" again heightened the open water.
Snow we shall see what yonr BLACK horse
can do, Alice I" exclaimed Nell Fessenden,
h,,t tho sht nh borcos dtd mt do apvtbiur
but pull his long stroke clear through with
a regularity that would have discounted
pendulum.
Nevertheless at the mile the Windameres
had all but closed up the open water and the
Atlantas had to once more quicken their
stroke. As they drew away a slight gust Of
wind brought to the ears of the auxious
watchers little Darts hoarse, earnest voice,
"Don't; don't quicken, boys follow your
stroke carefully!" 1t was hard work for
Cleland, but he reined in his mighty en-
ergy.
For the next half mile the Atlantas held
their own. They were straining their ut
most to shake off their rivals, aud Kent was
apparently conversing with Dart on the
weather.
AS the crew started in on the fourth half
mile without any change in position the At
lanta's friends were obstreperous, and Alice
supposed 1t was time to prepare to bear de-
feat gracefully; the Windameres apparently
conld not catch their opponents.
But the gentleman who had spoken to the
party bsfOre and seemed to notice her failing
spirits leaned forward ani and said in low
voice: "The Atlantas have done their best;
their big bodies are beginning TO get irregu-
lar; now look at the Windameres; they have
not once thrown their whole weight on their
oars, the captain can scarcely contain him
self. and that stroke is capable Of hitting
it up to terrible pacs.'
As they neared the two mile flag Cleland
exclaimed, "For heavens sake, Kent, are
you never going to quicken
81 am not sure the Atlanta men have
thrown away all their money YETI" was the
grim reply.
"They are going to squirt now, Kent"
said the lynx-eyed little coxswain.
"Tell me when they are through"
| As he spoke he heard the Atlanta cox.
swain call to his men, "Now, then, fellows,
only once more"
The Atlanta supporters were wild with
excitement as their crew started in on the
last mile with good lead. Any unpreju.
diced observer, though, could not fail TO OBJ.
serve the splendid form in which the Winda
meres were pulling. They were rowing like
|
denoe in Kent was perfect, and Kent
"Wsll, that purple 'stroke' rose as though
he didn't think there was any need of finish
ing till after haying," said an old farmer.
"Put little more back into it, fellows,
said Kent softly. And as the word wen
back the Captain gave his oar terrible
jerk; the time had come at last, he thought
The boat plunged like frightened thing
Kent groaned. "Steady, back there,
yelled Dart.
"Now. boys, we are going to quicken in 9
few moments; don't let me see the boa
lurch like that when the instant comes,' h
continued. Then looking at Kent, "the.
are DONE"
Kent pulled his oar through with on
hand and deliberately turned and soannet
his rivals.
A hush spread over the crowd of craft aut
the banks; all felt something was going T.
happen; there was sudden frantic desire 1
"hsdge."
But before friend or Zoe could make
single move call rang over the water tina
J was echoed from the distant hills.
"Now, then, Windameres, for all you ar
worth I"
Aud as the last word spraug from his lip
Kent suddenly dashed his strike mp to forty
The response was magnificent; all the pas
, sion In the men 80 long ourbed leaped fort
into action. But II was trained passion; tn
} boat neither rocked nor plunged; It sprau
forward like an arrow from the bow.
, In three strokes the open water was close
up, and before the astonishsd Atlantas We
knew what was happening the Windamsrs
} lay even with them.
= "Now, then, Captain, are you In love q
! not 7" gasped Kent, as he threw his whol
tiger strength into his oar. The stroke thf
. answered that word drove the Winiamsr
shell eight feet ahead Of the Atlantas.
T The crowd, always In sympathy wit
heroic resolve, shouted themselves hoarss
The Atlanta supporters called again an
q again to their crew, but II was no use, thei
Q heavy strength was exhausted, and the
had no tremendous force of will TO mate
4 the determined men now passing them.
o for Alice Hartysl, with clasped hands au
o mounted color, she lett the purple flag
0 glide away from the blue one and gazed aw,
! struck on Cleland's face, set as In death.
4 The Atlanta made one more desperate
| ragged effort and then allowed Kent TO shO