The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1884-09-24
THE RIVALS.

TIE RIVALS.
Eunice Layard sat on the old stone
stiIe. patting her pretty. foot on the
rustlfng heap of dead leaves. Mr..
George Hardenbrook. with his hands
in his pockets and a rather unbecom-
inc fur cap drawn down over his square
forehead and shaggy eyebrows, GER
taiuIy did not wear very romantic
exterior, while Mark TyFFel, a
straight, bright-eyed young fellow,
leaned against the trunk of Ieahess
sugar maple and watched Eunice's
every movement.
II make no profession" said Mr.
Hardenbrook, nodding his fur cap dog
matically; ''but I'll be good husband
to you. Miss Eunice. and it is well
known that the Hardenbrook farm is
the best in the neighborhood. y
And then Eunice glanced toward
Mark Tyrrel, as if mutely TO question
what he had to say for himself
IL can offer no such brilliant induce
ments rs Mr.. Hardenbrook, " said the
Young man, quietly, though, as he
stood there with folded arms, there
was slight accent Of satire in the
tones of his voice; IL am a self-made
man, and my fortunes remain yet to be
achieved. "
Gentlemen. she said calmly, II
believe, according to the popular creed
of the world, have reason TO feel very
much obliged to you. But l shall take
q week to consider what is best to do. "
The week of ordeal passed away, as
all weeks will, whether of joyous holt
day or burdened with the awful shadow
of mourning. And Mark Tyrrel and
Mr.. Uardenbrook went down to Farm
or Layard's snug little red-brick house
to learn the story of their fate on the
evening of the seventh day from that
on which Eunice had sat enthroned on
the stone stile and received two offers
of marriage at once.
Miss Layard, meanwhile, had not
been idle. She had made up her mind
to marry the man who loved her the
best.
''But how are you going to decide
the question:" said Mrs. Tarbox, her
aunt, who kept house" for Farmer
Layard, and who did her best to spoil
Eunice every day of her genial life.
ooh, | know how" said Euniee,
calmly.
"And mayn't know, too?n
"0f course you may. for l couldn't
manage all without you.
And then there was irregular council
of war between these two designing fe-
males.
So when Messrs. Hardenbrook and
Tyrrel arrived Mrs. Tarbox received
them with a great deal of politensss
and invited them TO ''stay and spend
the evening""
MIR. Layard'll be in directly" said
Mrs. Tarbox, land l know he'll be
pleased TO see you"
"Ahemr' said Mr.. Hardenbrook,
pompouslv. I've. that is, called to
see Miss Eunice."
''Oh-h-hG cries Mrs. Tarbox.
Then you haven't heard?"
Heard what?'' demanded Mark
and George at once, while Eunice,
hiding behind the door In the next
room, felt herself CULVER all over lest
Aunt Tarbox shouldn't have nerve
enough TO so satisfactorily through
her part. 4
But Aunt Tarbox had more nerve
than her niece gave her credit for, and
went on admirably.
''Wel, l declare" cried this ex-
cellent lady, II thought everybody
knew by this time. News does travel |
so in this villager'
but, interposed Hardenbrook, |
nervously, you haven't told us what
it is!''
80 l haven't" said Aunt Tarbox.
'Then you didn't know that our |
Euniee was going to marry Squire |
Carpenter, down in DalevilIeP" /
Squire Carpenters" roared Mr.. /
Hardenbrook, growing very red.
''Who the-mischief is Squire Carpen- /
ter, of DalevilleP l never heard of
himl'
mo. nor anybody elser' thought
Aunt Tarbox, secretly longing to burst
out laughing, but she answered calmly: |
We'll, he's rich gentleman, who
'.And Euniee has Tilted me for himP"
cried George, scarcely crediting the
evidence of his own ear. '.Me-when
the Hardenbrook farm. and the saw
mills and everything else that belongs
TO the property might have been hers"
Mark Tyrrel stood quiet and silent,
but through the friendly crack Of the
door Eunice could see how very pale
his countenance had grown in the |
ks =
''Wei1r' quoth Mr.. Hardenbrook,
still very much excited, s.Iet her COL
never cared much about her-maybe
it's just as well! There's as good fish
In the sea as ever was caught out of It,
eh, Tyrrel2 Don't you think we've
had lucky escape from the flirting.
little - hey - halo!
what are you aboutP' ~ i
For Mr.. Hardenbrook's flow of
words was suddenly checked by firm
and incorporating grasp of his
iugular.
Hold your scandalous tongue,
Mark TYrrel, Indignantly.
Miss Layard's name is far too prec-
Gus to be taken irreverently into your |
insulting mouth. Let her marry
whom she will, shall always love and
aspect her, and l shall insist upon
7our doing ut least the latter.
II didn't mean anything, y sullenly
nuttered Hardenbrook, as the young | !
hercules set him down with more en-
,hasis than gentleness on the chair In /
he corner. II wish you q good even
ne, Mrs. Tarbox.
Aud out he bounced. considering
Iimself very in-used mortal I
Mark Tyrrel was about to follow his I
xample, when the door suddenly :
pened and Eunice ran out with red '
ened cheeks and smiling lips. :
.Mark-Mark-don't go YETI she I
ried. Il want to tell you that-s B
That Squire Carpenter Is all an ins 4
ention, laughed Mrs. Tarbox. s
'Euniee only wanted to find out which !,
I you really loved her the best. . :
Then. Enniceln exclaimed the +
Dung man. with kindling eyes. n
Yes said Eunice, quietly. s.you L
lay have me If you win. s-Only.n Fl
he added, laughing. I'm sorry that Il
II. Hardenhrook was so disturbed. - n
II am not, said Mark.