Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1899-08-03

GO
! strange to them that he had the
strength to do it. But there was a dazed
look in Cons face, and no little
fear of the man who had worsted him.
but he was not a man, but an evil
spirit sent to humble his pride.
The luck is with me again." said
Phil.
"Ay, the luck is with you again"
Con repeated.
''It 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
| 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.
'"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?'
"Ay, do I. Sure, maybe you've been
lying in the sand" she said, wonder
ingly.
cay, ay," he said, bitterly. Give
been lying on the sand sure enough
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 I am no more and
never again. So I 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"
'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.
ooh, no, no, no, Conf" 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 well 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 set himself to win back the glory
that he mad lost at the singing match
and at tne wrestling, and Eileen wait
ed in her cabin for new of the victory.
But the sun grew red and sank be-
him. 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
where the blod had dyed it red. Then
she knew that it was not Con, but
Phil Martin
Get you home, alanna," he said
land hide your face, for disgrace is up
on us this day"
Then he told her what had befallen,
and how that Con had struck Phil a
towards blow with his canaan; after
that Phil and his men had won the
victory.
90 Con Con, curse is upon you for
sure she cried out, and covered her
face with her hands.
! But Phil Martin did not die, as they
! had feared, but grew well again and
sound as he had been, save that a scar
| full blow had fallen.
Now it happened that one evening
| while the fishermen we're spreading
their nets on the beach, a storm gath
cred on the sea, and suddenly and with
great violence burst upon it, so that
| the great waves were dashed into rag
| ing mountains and valleys Of water.
The fishermen gathered in groups upon
the shore and watched the storm, CIV
ing thanks that they themselves were
safe on land. And Eileen stood with
them and watched.
Suddenly a great cry arose from
them, for scarce half mile from the
| shore boat labored, now in the
trough of the waters, now tossed like
a cork upon the crest of the waves
From the boats that lined the Jeach
in safety from the storm, one was
missing-that with the white lines run
ming from bow to stern. No one spoke
| but all knew that Phil Martin had been
| L., h