The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-12-02
ers oCSthc wager. I}ut the balance Of
the party little knew.
III


tors CrOwding the water about the big
stake boat gave promise Of u success.
ful outcome.
Every kind of craft was there. from
the tiny cookie shell which rocked and
danced upon the sparkling waves to
the big double-dccked ArmCnia-thc
crack steamers of inland waters and
all were ladon with merry crowds of
human freight.
one event after another was run off
with thrilling success. The Zig whis-
Ties and their more diminutive contcm-
poraries shrieked and footed as they
had never blown before, while everybody
shouted himself hoarse in vain at
tempt to outdo lis neighbor. 1t was a
gala day indeed for Lake Sunapce.
1'rainload after trainload arrived, and
after every boat obtainabe had been
crowded into commission aSd there was
no other means of reaching the scene
of the races the shore in the Immediate
vicinity became black with the inter
Csted spectators.
At this period, when scores of launch
es and rowboats were dartng hither
and thither about the judges boat, the
official starter called for the entries in
Almost Immediately the course was
cleared; n quarter mile straightway
with turn and back to judges boat
Winfred Cushing in his light shell,
the Water Lily, watched the result Of
this call, for his cheeks were burning
with interest as he thought of the
dark horse" that he had quietly en-
tered, after having devoted the better
Of Il 81,
consent.
She was there. and when Eleanor
Van Courtlandt padded lightly up to
the imaginary line of start and was
greeted with rousing reception by her
beVy of young lady friends, who had
chartered a steam launch from the ho-
tel and come down with laurel wreaths
and bouquets with which to crown the
winner-whom they confidently bclicv-
ed would be the beautiful heiress--no
one appeared to notice the trim figure
in Jaunty flannel, and handling her
paddle like an expert, who quietly took
her place next in line.
No one" Yes, Winfrcd Cushing OBJ
served her, and when he shot her an
encouraging glance from his station
near at hand it certainly received prop
er recognition, and he saw her clutch
her paddle with firm resolution hs the
preparatory signal was given.
Then they were off Eleanor Van
Courtlandt was so positive of her SUI
perior skill that she gave the race but
little serious thought until she caught
a glimpse of the brOnZed gunWale SLOW
Is but surely creeping past her to-
ward the turning stake. Then she
turned n naughty look of cold disdain
upon her ambitious rival. and she dis
coy cred for the first time that she was
being paced by girl of about II, fair
as q rose and with Il delicate transpar-
ent skin, rare blue eyes ana hair in
which the golden sunlight seemed to
melt and lightly blend.
1T is Farmer EdsOnS little mnN,'
spitefully muttrrcd Miss Nun Court
landt, whose aristOcrati" blood Instant
/ ly became fired with i determine tiOn
to win now al any cost. Then she bent
to her task with a will, but in spite of
her renewed efforts the two C0aoas Kept
| their relative positions md speedily
drew away from the main bunch.
Then u cruel thought entered the
New York heiress mind.
What # sho should defeat me, uf-
ter all'" she gasped. and then she re-
called her words to Mr.. CuShnw Then
She thought of the chagrin that must
be hers if she permitted herself 10 suf-
fer defeat at the hands OF 4 country
farmers daughter Il will never lose
it," she firmly declared, and there was
a dangerous flash in the iet-blacll eyes
as the turning stake was almost reach
ed. They can never, know," she trcm-
ulously whispered as she felt her
strength rapidly yielding to the violent
effort which she had made, Then she
suddenly turned tho prov Of her leader
just abaft the seat, and instantly there
came a splash, a feminine shrek of
alarm, and the vision of AN uptmned
canoe was flashed to the spectators ON
the judges barge.
The leader has capsized, Miss Van
COurtlandt is over" was the cry that
rose from scores of lips, while the Off
cial launch was headed straight for
the scene OF the miShap o top speed
Then they saw one Of the canoes safe
ly round the stake and in another mo-
mCnt the white, scared face and uplift-
ed arms of the drowning girl were re-
vcaled close by.
Quick. or she is lost" was the
shout that echoed over the water. But
in another moment a perfect din arose
as the uniniured CanOeist was seen Ia
reach out and grasp her sinking CONF
panion ard it was realized that the
cGpsiZed girl was safe.
'Furrah. lIurrah for beautiful Ma
bel Edison" was the ringing chorus
that greeted the winner of the ladies'
Cipulp SCull race as she p111laJ lipht =
" up the starters boat, ana the gentle
recipient IF all this far-soundnG dem
onstrdtiOn quietly accepted the verdict
of the people and watched a little steam
launch with its crowd of Young ladies
and Miss Van Courtlandt on board
Guiding away toward the hotel.