Connecticut western news., 1895-06-06
A BOAT, RACE STORY.

Jack Davenant was the stroke of the Cambridge university eight. He was a man greatly to be envied. Wealthy-his father was large mine owner in the north - popular. good looking and thought to be one of the best strokes turned out from either university for some time. Last, but not least, he was engaged to be married at Easter to Ruth Meynell, as bonny a lass as need be, with whom he had been in love for some years.
 It was the afternoon before the great event when tho following telegram reached him:
 Meet me. Kings Cross, 6sso DAvnAsr.
 Jack was delighted, for it had been a great disappointment to him when his X father had told him that business of inn portance would prevent his witnessing the race. When the train glided slowly into the station, you may be sure that 8 cordial greeting was exchanged be- tween father and son. But Jack was startled to see how greatly altered his fathers appearance was from whnt it had been three months before.
 Well, how do you think I'm looking, dady' he exclaimed presently, when they were seated in 8 private sitting room in the Great Northern hotel "We are all of us in good form, believe, and shall make the Oxford lot do all they know, I'm certain. There's only one thing I can't make out. Have you mo- ticed how strongly the betting goes on Oxford? It was A to on in this even- ing's paper, If it were not absurd, I should think that there was some plot on to damage our boat or something, only that's impossible. But anyhow I can t help feeling anxious Those book ies' are generally right in their odds on s this race, and there is nothing in our respective form and times to warrant the long odds. Do you know, feel that must win this race. I'd willingly give five years of my life to be certain of it l"
 Here Jack saw his father turn ghastly pale. He darted out of the room and was back again in a minute with some brandy, which he made his father swal- low, and waited with intense eagerness to hear what was the matter, anxiously requesting to be allowed to send for 8 doctor at once.
 "No," said his father, "that is no good. have already consulted one about these heart seizures, which are common enough just now. My doctor says that any intense excitement might carry me off like the crack of gun. Those were his words But that doesn't matter, Jack" be added. Brace yourself for a great shock, one which will try even your words went through me like 8 knife just now. Mine is dreadful er- rand up here to see you today. Jack, l have como to tell you that we arc utter ly ruined. Fool-yillain that I am, have, urged with the desire to leave you vast wealth, speculated largely and lost '
 At first Jack thought that bis father had taken leave of his senses. The shock was tremendous, but varsity strokes are the material of which the leaders of forlorn hopes are made. His strict train ing and strong nerves soon came to his aid, and he tried to cheer up his father by the usual commonplaces of hoping that it wasn' t so bad as his father dread ed 1t to be. And then the thought of the great event in which he was to take such 8 prominent. part on the morrow rushed across his mind, and he couldn I help saying: "But if you love me, as you say you do, how could you bring me such ghast. ly news at such time as this, when the fact of my knowing it one day soon. CT or later could make no earthly differ. | ence to our circumstances? It was wick edly cruel not to keep the news till aftel | the race "I
 "Stop, Jack" his father replied "You mustn' blame me unjustly. You have sufficient reason to blame, yes hate, me without that. Listeni tok | you I loved you, and I do. It was fol you that have acted as have done As just said, I nm doomed man. Al the outside, am only given one year tt live. And time being so short, and m, affairs SO shaky, what was I to do Draw closer to me, closer, Jackl whisper heard would be fatal'
 Jack bent down his head, and his fac became as white as his fathers. Ant this is what he heard:
 "Jack, have put every hafpenny possess, and more-e5O, 000-on Oxfort for tomorrow's race.
 For moment Jack looked at his ia ther. He was fairly staggered Then without a word, he took up his hat an, left the hotel, haunted by his father pale, entreating face, and made his wa, to the training quarters. ..-
 The day of the race broke bright am fair, and London turned out her thou sands of holiday makers, as only Londol can. The race was finely conteste' throughout. and it was only in the las quarter of 8 mile that the light blu flag forged slowly ahead, and after tn m.st exciting struggle ever witnessed if we except the memorable dead heat Cambridge won.
 Ruth Meynell, who was staying wit some friends in town to witness the race had no doubt been one of the most in | terested and excited of the spectators At the point where she had seen tn crews pass, Oxford happened to be lead ing. So her delight was proportionatel
 great when the news of the light blu
 victory reached her.
 Surely girl was never so happi,
 situatedi Loving and beloved, and h' 7 sweetheart-who had promised to sper
 the evening with her friends-the he
 tfor the moment) of the whole civilizs
 world.
 We left Jack on his way to the hot
 where the Cantabs were staying. It
 impossible to describe his feelings, u
 shock had been so great. He had love and reverenced his father so much, ar
 always thought of him as the soul