Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1899-08-03

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went, each striving To find out where
lay the others weakness and the sand
was tossed up beneath their feet. But
those who watched soon saw ,hat Con
was we'll matched at last, and would
have tO fight hard for the victory, in
spite OF his stature and great strength,
Several ,imeS he strove 10 lii, Martin
from the ground, but could not: and
still Pitts face wore 4 smile that mad
lened hisn. Now he forgot his skill in
anger. and tried To force his opponent
to his knees. For an instant victory
seemed to be within his grasp. for
Phil yielded, bending down as II be
meath a weight. Then, suddenly Shak
ing himself free OF Cons grasp he
seized him by the thighs and hurled
him over his shoulders. Striking his
head against the sand, Con Heffernan
lay as one dead
So amazed We're the fishermen at the
fall of their companion and at the
skill of the stranger that they knew
not what to say but stood gazing at
Cons long form stretched upon the
yellow sand as though a stupor had
seized upon then.
But Phil caught his antagonist by
the shoulder and set him upon HE sset
again. Nor did it seem any longer
strange to them that he had the
strength to do It, But there was dazed
look in Cons face, and no little
fear of the man who had worsted him,
but he was not man, but an evil
spirit sent to humble his pride.
"rhe luck is with me again" said
Phil.
"Ay, the luck is with you again"
Con repeated.
1T will not be for long" said Phil
again.
For long enough. think I'll be
going home" Con returned. And his
voice was weak as a child's. So he
left them, and began mounting the
beach, and the yellow sand shone like
gold in his hair. for he had not thought
to shake it out.
When he had come to the village he
met Eileen O'Connor, and would have
passed her by, for his eyes were turned
to the ground. But she stood in his
way.
"Tisnt like Con Heffernan to pass a
friend without wishing her good luck.
"'ris little Con has to do with good
luck Eileen" he answered, and the
sound of his voice filed her breast
with pity.
Sure. it's the singing match that
lies heavy on your heart, Con: but |
wouldn't he mindng. and You the
grandest wrestler that ever was known
in Malbay"
Con put his hand to his head, where
the sand still chung to his hair. "Do
you see what's there, Eileen?"
"Ay, do |. Sure, maybe you've been
lying in the sand" she said, wonder
ingly
CAY, ay," he said, bitterly. 1--WE
been lying on the sand sure enough.
and If it was under 1t ! was I'd be hap
pier this day"
WHATS come over you at all, Com"
the girl asked, her heart full of trouble
for him.
"Grandest wrestler in Malbay did
you call me? That am no more and
never again So was first in the sing
ing match until Phil Martin came, and
now he has thrown me in the wrest-
ling, down below there on the beach. "
Thrown you, Con-"
"Ay, girl, thrown me that never was
thrown before. There's a curse upon
me. Eileen"
The girl looked at him with a shud-
der, for his words sent a chill to her
heart.
"Oh, no. no, no. Com" she cried
but only the luck that is against you.
Sure you'll win 1t back at the hurly"
"Ay, the hurry, Eileen" and a CLEAN
Of light came into his face. "Sure, III
win it back at the hurly."
Then he turned from her and went
his way to the village. And Eileen
continued her journey to the we'll to
draw water, having her can on her
arm and little thinking Of the evil that
she had done.
SO it came about that at the hurry
Con SGT himself to win back the glory
that he had lost at the singing match
and at the wrestling, and Eileen walt
el IN her cabin for new Of the victory
But the sun grew red and sank be
hind the waves, tipping their crests
with fire, and still no messenger
brought her tidings OF the hurry. At
length she grew impatient, and went
out into the village, and up the road
to the fair green.
Then she heard the trampling OF
feet. and coming toward her she saw a
crowd Of hurlers. They were very
silent, and this was strange, seeing
that me- were wont TO come home from
the hurly with much noise and shout
ing, whether they carried news OF vic
tory or defeat.
But when they came near to her
Eileen saw that the biggest among
them carried on their crossed camans
one that had been wounded in the bat
tie Her heart stood still with fear