Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1900-03-08
wov Mrs Whiting asked phe boy q

old acquaintance and that his mother
was boarding at a farm house not far
from Prof. Williams camp. she was
very much inclined to give her consent
at once. However. she told Randolph
to come around in his canoe the next
morning. and if she had decided then
to let Terry enter for the race. he
would find her ready to practice with
him.
That afternoon Mrs. Whiting called
upon and renewed her acquaintance
with Mrs. Murray. and the ladies paid
a short visit to the professors camp.
Needless to say that upon her moth
er's return Terry received the desired
permission, and then 1.-THE fun Of her
life" began. Every day Randolph pad
died around from the camp. and they
practiced together long and faithfully.
As the day of the contest drew near
Terry became more and more CONT
dent, while her mother grew more ner-
vOus.
"Terry. remember that you and Rand
are going to compete with older boys
and girls, who have been in these races
before. And then, too. Rand Is going
to compete in the first race. and that
will tire him; so you have only very
| little chance Of winning"
1--WE have every chance of winning.
mamma! You don't know what we can
do! Just wait and see"
| At last the great day came. The sky
was cloutlless, and the quiet lake. long
before the appointed hour, began to
take on gala-day appearance. Little
boats arrived from everywhere. bring
ing spectators and participants by
threes and fours. Teams drove In from
nil the country round. and the pretty
wooded shores were lined with groups
Of pleasure seekers and eager lockers.
| on.
There was some delay before the first
race was called. Then, Canoe race.
SINGLE" was announced, and four ca
noes went swiftly to the starting place.
Through a glass Randolph could he
plainly seen, his canoe being the sec
ond from the left.
| And now the race began. The four
dark specks shot forward. growing
| larger and more distinct as they adj
| vanced.
Rand was little in the lead. but the
next canoe gained upon him, and the
third was but paddles length behind.
One had dropped back SO far that 1t
had no chance at ALL
Rand leads them still. Terrys eager
eyes are fixed upon him; he has never
padded SO we'll as now. But what is
the matter with the next boy to him?
He has changed his course; his canoe
shoots forward obliquely; he is get
ting in Rand's way. Their paddles
clash: the rival canoe darts forward;
the one just behind has gained. and
Rand. recovering his stroke. come In
third. With his hand appraised to the
Judges he cries. "a foulw But his pro-
test is unheeded. and last years win
ner, through transparent trickery, has
carried Off the prize.
Great was the Indignation of Mrs.
Murray over the manner OF her boys
defeat: bitter was Mrs. Writings self
reprOach that she had consented to her
daughters taking part in these races.
left her mothers side and gone to
Rand.
UNFAIR, UNJUST" she cried out holly.
"and the winner and the judges know
that it is. You ought to have that cup
but never mind: Well win our race:
we'll show them what we can do; and
not one Of them can touch u.s.
Rand looked at her. and the color
slowly came back to his white face.
Unconsciously he Strengthened himself
up and his WEAKNESS and discourage
ment left him.
"Yps. Terry; we shall win" he said.
The afternoon wore on. Some Of the
races were very amusing, and the spec
tators were still laughing over the tubs
which had upset. and the wet boys
were splashIng merrily in towards the
shore when 'mxed double canoe race"
was called.
Six canoes were soon in line, each
with Its crew Of girl and boy. Terry's
scarlet waist could be seen from the
very start by all on shore. And now,
Mrs. Murray could hardly control her
anxiety and nervousness. while Mrs.
Whiting seemed on the verge Of tears.
Forward came the canOes--in an even
line it seemed-but no. for Terry's scar
let waist was ever so little In the lead
Their paddles flash in unison; clock
work Is not more true. But the next
canoe is gaining steadily upon them
and they have almost reached the line.
Oddly enough, Terry Is the coolest
one Of all the contestants. and just as
she has talked to Rand when the two
We're practicing together. she Is talking
now.
I'VE can do it, Randi That's fine.
Keep right on! Don't change till the
very last minute: You know the words
we agreed on-all ready. now"
"Then"
They have made the change; their
paddles dip and fash now on the oppo-
site sides: their tired muscles are re-
lleved, fresh ones come into play: their
canoe shots forward half its length be-
yOnd Its nearest rival
And the line IL crossed.
A shout OF applause rises from the
shore. and Terry raises her paddle
above her head with little cry OF