Connecticut western news., 1895-06-06

And now there was only one course open for him, either to do or die, though to help to win the race was to help his own utter ruin And then Ruth? What of her? Oh, he mustn't even think of that The race and winning-it must be his only aim and object. Small wonder, then, that it was remarked at the start that Davenant looked "off color"
 We have seen, however, that he had literally pulled the race out of the fire. Strong man though he was, the severe mental and physical strain told on him, and he had to be lifted out of the boat at the finish But he was strong as iron and quickly recovered. How he wished he might not For what had he to 1.-Two for now? The shouts and cheers seemed bitter mockery. He recalled his fathers whisper and saw again the imploring look. Jack knew that he was beggar.
 Making his recent indisposition an excuse for not dining with the crews that night, and refusing the many kind offers of companionship, he drove to the Great Northern hotel, where the fame of the victory had preceded him. and made inquiries as to his father's move ments. His father had ordered dinner at and was going northward with the mail that night. Jack decided to wait for him, and having had light refresh ment sat down to smoke and reflect on the events of the last two days
 Presently the waiter brought him an evening paper, and on running his eye over the news he saw paragraph head ed, Death From Excitement at the Boat Race. News just to hand that at tho conclusion of the race. the finish of which was extremely exciting. an older ly gentleman in full sight of the finish was seen to stagger and fall Medical attendance was speedily obtained, but life was pronounced to be extinct The remains were removed to the mortuary awaiting the inquest From letters and papers on the deceased it is feared that he was G. Davenant, Esq, father of that brilliant oarsman who today strok- cd the Light Blues in such 8 gallant manner. Our readers will join with us in expressing the hope that this may prove to be a mistake.
 Jack never knew how he got through the next few days. He did all that was necessary in a perfectly mechanical manner. He had his fathers remains buried in the family vault Also he wrote to Ruth. telling her that "he could never marry Lor, though it almost broke his heart to say so. And then, as might be expected, the overtaxed brain and body gavo way, and Jack Davenant lay in his father's stately mansion sick unto death at the very time that Ruth Mey- nell-not knowing of his serious illness and scorning to wear her heart on her sleeve - had arranged to tour with friends abroad.
 And so these two young lives, which but few days before seemed so full of life and hope, were blighted as it seem- ed at their very outset
 In due time Jack pulled through. And then, for the first time for many 6 sad day, the light of hope shone upon him. and he understood what before had been exphoable-namely, that instead of be- ing the pauper he feared he was, he was really immensely rich.
 His father had certainly lost money in the troublous times of strikes, but not sufficient to impair his prinoely fortune Business worry, telling upon an enfee- bled frame. coupled perhaps with nat ural excitement about the race in which his son was to take such leading part, had brought about that dreadful hallu- cination from which he had suffered, for, in fact, he had not bet one. farthing on the event.
 The most learned scientists cannot un- dertake to explain the subtle working of the mind diseased But it was suggested that since those interested in the result of the varsity boat race" are often guided in their hopes by the state of the betting it might be inferred that Jacks father had been too intently watching the odds.-London Tit-Bits