The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1895-05-29
A BOAT RACE STORY,

Jack Davenant was the stroke Of tn
Cambridge university eight. He was
man greatly to be envied. Wealthy-hi
father was a large mine owner in tn
north - popular, good looking an,
thought to be one of the best stroke
turned out from either university 70
some time. Last, but not least, he wa
engaged to be married at Easter to Rutl
Meynell, as bonny q lass as need be
with whom he had been in love for som,
years.
1t was the afternoon before the grea
event when the following telegram
reached him:
Meet me, Kings Cross. $50. DAvENANr.
Jack was delighted, for it had been 6
great disappointment to him when his
father had told him that business of i'm.
portance would prevent his witnessing
the race. When the train glided slowly
into the station, you may be sure that
a cordial greeting was exchanged be-
tween father and son. But Jack was
startled to see how greatly altered his
fathers appearance was from what it
had been three months before.
well, how do you think I'm looking,
dad:' be exclaimed presently, when
they We're seated in a private sitting
in the Great Northern hotel. I'VE
are all of us in good form, l believe, and
shall make the Oxford lot do all they
know, I'm certain. There's only one
thing ! can't make out. Have you no.
ticed how strongly>the betting goes Oh
Oxford? 1t was 4 to / on in this even
ing's paper. II it were not absurd, l
should think that there was some plot
on to damage u boat or something,
only that's impossible. But anyhow l
can't help feeling anxious. Those book
les are generally right in their odds on
this race, and there is nothing in our
respective form and times to warrant
the long odds. Do You know, l feel that
J must win this race. I'd willingly give
five years Of my life to be certain of itl''
Here Jack saw his father turn CHASTITY
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, a~nxiously
requesting to be allowed to send for q
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 a gun. Those were
his words. But hat doesn't matter,
Jack" he added. Brace yourself for a
great shock, one which will try ever
your strong nerves. Jack, my poor boy,
your words went through me like q
knife just now. Mine is a dreadful err
rand up here to see you today. Jack, I
have come to tell you that we are utter
~ ruined. Fool-villain that I am, l
have, urged with the desire to leave You
vast wealth, speculated largely and
lost"
: At first Jack thought that his 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 commonplace Of hoping
that it wasn't so bad as his father dread
ed it to be. And then the thought Of the
great event in which he was to take
such a prominent part on the morrow
rushed across his mind, and he couldn't
help saying:
But If you love me, as you say You
do, how could you bring me such ghast-
ly news at such a time as this, when
the fact Of my knowing it one day soon
er or later could make nc earthly differ
ence to our circumstances? 1t was wick
edly cruel not to keep the news till after
the race"
"Stop, Jack" his father replied.
"You mustn't blame me ~unjustly. You
have sufficient reason to blame, yes,
hate, me without that. Listen! l told
you l loved you, and I do. 1t was for
you that l have acted as l have done.
As l just said, l am a doomed man. At
the outside, I am only given one year to
live. And time being SO short, and my
affairs SO shaky, what was l to do?
Draw closer to me, closer, Jack! A
whisper heard would be fatal"
Jack bent down his head, and his face
became as white as his fathers And
this is what he heard:
Jack, I have put every h~alfpenny I
possess, and more-e50, 00O-on Oxford
for tomorrow's race"
For a moment Jack looked at his IA.
Their. He was fairly staggered. Then,
without a word, he took up his hat and
left the hotel, haunted by his fathers
pale, entreating face, and made his way
to the training quarters.
The day Of the race broke bright and
fair, and London turned out her thou
sands Of holiday makers, as only Londor
can The race was finely contested
throughout, and it wal only in the Las
quarter Of a mile that the light blu,
flag forged slowly ahead, and after tn
most exciting struggle ever Witnessed
II we except the memorable dead heat
Cambridge o