The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1896-01-25
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
Newell, as bonny a lass as need be,
with whom he had been in love for some
years.
1t was the afternoon before the great
event when the following telegram
reached him:
Meet me. Kings Cross, $50 DAvESAsr.
Jack was delighted, for it had been a
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?" he exclaimed presently, when
they were seated in a 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 can't make out Have you no
ticed how strongly the betting goes ON
Oxford? 1t was A 10 on in this even
ings paper. II it were not absurd,
should think that there was some plot
ON to damage our boat or something,
only that's impossible. But anyhow
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, feel that
/ must win this race. I'd willingly give
five years Of my life to be certain Of it p
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
70 hear what was the matter. anxiously
requesting to be allowed to send for a
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
hfa pnf that Hrocr,ff
Jack, =" he added Brace yourself for a
great shock. one which will try even
your strong nerves. Jack, my poor boy,
your words went through me like a
knife just now. Mine is a dreadful er.
rand up here to see you today. Jack,
have come to tell you that we are utter.
ly ruined. Fool-villain that l am,
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 shocl
was tremendous, but varsity strokes
are the material of which the leaders o.
forlorn hopes are made His strict train
ing and strong nerves soon came TO hi
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 1t to be. And then the thought Of thu
great event in which he was to TAX
such a prominent part ON the morrow
rushed across his mind, and he couldn'
help saying:
But If you love me, as you say yoI
do, how could you bring me such ghast
ly news at such a time as this, whel
the fact Of my knowing il one day soon
er or later could make no earthly differ
ence to our circumstances? 1t was wick
edly cruel not to keep the news till afte
the race.
stop, Jack" his father replied
You mustn't blame me unjustly Yol
have sufficient reason to blame, yes
hate, me without that Listen l toll
you loved you, and l do IL was 70
you that l have acted as l have done
AS just said, am a doomed man. A
the outside, am only given one year Z
i've And time being so short, and m
affairs so shaky. what was / 70 do
Draw closer to me, closer. Jack
whisper heard would be fatal"
Jack bent down his head, and his fac
became as white as his fathers An
this is what he heard:
Jack, l have put every halfpenny
possess, and more-e50, 0OO-on Oxfor
for tomorrow's race. "
For moment Jack looked at bis IA
Their He was fairly staggered. Then
without word, he took up his hat an
left the hotel, haunted by his father
pale, entreating face, and made his wa
20 the training quarters.
The day Of the race broke bright an
fair. and London turned out her thou