Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1891-09-07
TOM BASSEl'PS LEAP.

Kathleen o'Meara was one Of the pref
test girl in the county Tipperary. In
the words of the old song:
@Her hair glossy black, her eyes were dark
blue,
Her color still changing her smiles ever new;
SO pretty was Kathleen, my sweet little kath-
leon,
My Kathleen oMorelr
Only she was Kathleen O'Meara instead
of Kathleen O'More.
Kathleen had many suitors, but she
was wilful, capricious, and hard to please,
and there were only two who could boast
of receiving any encouragementfro from the
captivating damsel Between these two
favored ones . fierce rivalry existed, and
they were constantly endeavoring to
drive each other out of the field but
each held his ground manfully, and
would be neither intimidated nor enticed
TO yield an inch.
wealth and position. and, furthermore,
he was favored by Kathleen's father.
The other, Denis O'Halloran, had youth,
good looks, and iashing, brilliant man
ner that went long way toward will
ming girls favor. Although fairly well
off, Denis was poor in comparison to his
rival, who, however, was handicapped
in his turn by his age. Not that Tom
Bassett was an old man, or even what
might be termed middle aged, but he
was good deal older than Denis. In all
other respects the two men were fairly
matched, and Kathleen herself could not
tell which she liked best. She encouraged
first one and then the other in the most
aggravating way. 1t was clearly case
of
How happy could be with either
Were tother dear charmer awayl"
However, neither dear charmer would
go away or give place to the other, and
Kathleen was perplexed as to what she
should do. This position of affairs con-
tinued for some time; but at last the cul-
minating point was reached, and Kath-
leen saw that she must speedily decide
in favor of one or none.
One evening, at dance, Tom Bassett
resolved to test his fate at once by pro-
posing to Kathleen; but fortune was un-
kind, or perhaps Kathleen suspected his
design and purposely foiled him-any-
how, he did not find an opportunity to
ask the momentous question, and was
obliged to content himself by begging for
a private interview the next day. Kath-
leen demurely granted his request, and
demurely named III o'clock in the fore
noon as the hour.
Bassett's elation at this concession was
so great that O'Halloran noticed it and
became suspicious; so he, too, resolved
to try his luck. But fortune-or Kath-
leen-was no kinder to him than to Bas-
sett, and he also a ked for an interview
the next day. Kathleen was at no loss
20 guess the intentions of her suitors,
and, influenced by spirit of mischief,
she told O'Halloran that he might call at
IL o'clock the next morning. Then
O'Halloran grew elated, and bis triumph
ant looks were regarded by Bassett with
misgivings; and for the remainder OF
the evening the two men kept strict
watch and ward over each other,
each determined not to give his rival 3
chance of speaking first. Kathleen took
in the situation pretty accurately, and
had some difficulty in restraining her
mirth, as she saw how the rivals glowered
ut each other.
The next morning Tom Bassett, ire
proachably dressed and mounted on his
favorite horse, a big bay, rode forth gayly
TO keep his appointment with Miss
O'Meara. Garryhougla, where Kathleen
lived, was seven or eight miles distant
from his own home, and Tom COM
menced the journey full of hope and
joyful anticipation. His pleasant
thoughts were, however, put to fight
when, on arriving at four cross roads, he
came upon Denis O'Halloran, arrayed in
great splendor. and riding his famous
black mare, Shylie Bawn, which was
coveted by every one who saw it.
Involuntarily the rivals drew rein, and
glared at each other; and then, after ex.
changing suspicious salutation, each
! waited to see in which direction tin,
other was going For nearly minute
| both sat still on their horses, and then, as
if acting under one impulse, they wheeled
their horses simultaneously into the road
leading to Garryhougla.
This evidence that their destination
| was the same was too much for OHallo-
ran, and he turned sharply to his rival.
where are you going, Bassett?" he
angrily inquired.
To Garryhougla. +"
$50 am II"
Again the rivals stared at each other
with increased suspicion and annoyance,
for neither had any difficulty in guessing
the others object In making so early q
visit to Miss O'Meara.
well. goodbye; must be off! I'm in
hurry Tom Bassett said at last, urg-
ing his horse into canter.
so am II (" retorted Denis, giving his
mare her head.
Side by side the rivals gaIIoped on, try.
ing 10 outstrip each other, until at Iasl
they were flying along at racing speed.
All doubt and pretence were now thrown
aside, both men feeling that it was in
truth a race between them. On they
went, mile after mile, the ground seem.
ing TO move beneath the horses hoofs, al
70 terrific a pace were they rushing
through the air.
Who wins the race wins Kathleen
the loser quits the fsldi" yelled O'Hallo-
ran, almost maddened with excitement
and the rapid pace at which they were