Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1899-07-31
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was tossed up beneath their feet. But
those who watched soon saw that Con
was well matched at last, and would
have to fight hard for the victory, in
spite Of his stature and great strength.
Several times he strove to liz Martin
from the ground, but could not; and
still Phil's face wore a smile that mad
dened him. 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 if 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 were the fishermen at the
fall of their companion and at the
not what to say, but stood gazing at
Cons long form stretched upon the
yellow sand as though a stupor had
seized upon them.
But Phil caught his antagonist by
the shoulder and set him upon his feet
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.
"The luck is with me again." said
Phil.
cay, the luck is with you again, .
Con repeated.
cit will not be for long" said Phil
again.
For long enough. I 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
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
'"Tisn't like Con Heffernan to pass a
friend without wishing her good luck
'"Tis little Con has to do with good
luck Eileen he answered, and the
sound of his voice filled her breast
with pity
Sure, it's the singing match that
lies heavy on your heart, Con; but I
wouldn't be minding, 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?"
cay, do T. Sure, maybe you've been
lying in the sand" she said, wonder
ingly.
cay, ay," he said, bitterly. GIVE
and if it was under it was I'd be hap
pier this day."
whats come over you at all, CONF"
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, CONF"
CAY, 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.
ooh, no, no, no, Cont" she cried
looking into his face, "tis no curse
but only the luck that is against you
Sure you'll win it back at the hurly."
cay, the hurly Eileen" and a CLEAN
of light came into his face. "Sure, I'll
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 hurly
Con set himself to win back the glory
that he hal lost at the singing match
and at the wrestling, and Eileen wait
ed 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 hurly. 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
crowd Of hurlers. They were very
silent, and this was strange, seeing
that hey were wont to come home from
the hurry 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
that it was Con until she saw that the
hair Of the man was yellow, save
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