The Bozeman weekly chronicle. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1883-1889, 1884-09-17
THE RIVALS.

THE RIVALS.
Eunice Layard sat on the old stone
stile, patting her pretty foot on the
rustling heap of dead leaves. Mr..
George Hardenbrook, with his hands
in his pockets and a rather unbecom-
ing fur cap drawn down over his square
forehead and shaggy eyebrows. Ger.
tail " did not wear Il very romantic
exterior, while Mark Tyrrel,
straight, bright-eyed young fellow,
leaned against the trunk of leafess
sugar maple and watched Eunice's
every movement.
Il 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 Hardcnbrook farm is
the best in the neighborhood.'
And then Eunice. glanced toward
Mark Tyrrel, rs if mutelv 10 question
what he had to say for himself.
Il can offer no such brilliant induce
ments as 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, Il
believe, according to the popular creed
of the world, have reason to feel very
much obliged to you. But shall take
q week to consider what is best to do"
The week of ordeal passed away, as
all weeks will, whether of joyous holi-
day or burdened with the awful shadow
of mourning. And Mark Tyrrei and
Mr.. Hardenbrook went down to Farm
er 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 10 decide
the question: said Mrs. Tarbox, hep
aunt, who ''kept house" for Farmer
Layard, and who did her best to spoil
Eunice every day of her genial life.
s'Oh, I know how" said Eunice,
calmly.
'.And mayn't know, too?'
''Of course you may, for l couldn't
manage all without you"
And then there was aregular council
of war between these two designing fe-
males.
So when Messrs. HardenDrook and
Tyrrel arrived Mrs. Tarbox received
them with great deal OF politensss
and invited them to ''stay and spend
the evening."s
'.Mr. Layard'll be in directly" said
Mrs. Tarbox, land l know he'll be
pleased to see you.'
''Ahem!' said Mr.. Hardenbrook,
pompously. Give, that is, called to
see Miss Eunice.''
'Oh-h-hr' cries Mrs. Tarbox.
Then you haven't heard?''
''Heard what?' demanded Mark
and George ut once, while Eunice,
hiding behind the door in the next
room, felt herself quiver all over lest
Aunt Tarbox shouldn't have nerve
enough to 60 satisfactorily through
her part.
But Aunt Tarbox had more nerve
than her niece gave her credit for, and
went on admirably.
''Well, declare" cried this ex.
cellent lady, Il thought everybody
knew by this time. News does travel
SO in this village!'
'.But," interposed Hardenbrooh,
nervously, ''you haven't told US what
it is!''
$50 haven't" said Aunt Tarbox.
'.Then you didn't know that our
Eunice was going to marry Squire
Carpenter, down in Daleville?'
esquire Carpenter!'' roarel Mr..
Hardenbrook, growing very red.
''Who the-mischief is Squire Carpen-
ter, of Daleville? l never heard of !
himr'
mo, nor anybody else?' thought
Aunt Tarbox, secretly longing to burst
out laughing. but she answered calmly: |
..Wefl, he's a rich gentleman, who
-''
'.And Eunice has jiltc,i me for him?"
cried George, scarcely crediting the |
evidence of his own ear. ''Me-w!en
the Hardenbrook farm. and the saw
mills and everything else that belongs
to the property might have been hers"
Mark Tyre stood quiet and silent,
but through I'll, friendly cr.ck OF the
door Eunice could see how very pale |
his countenancc had grown in the
lamp-light.
''Wei1!" quoth Mr.. Hardcnbrook,
still very much excited, ''let her go! | |
never cared much about her-maybe
it's just rs we'll! There's as good fish
in the sea rs ever was caught on. OF it,
eh, Tyrrcl? Don't you think we've |
had lucky escape from the flirting.
good-for-nothing little - hey = halo!
what are you abou?'
For Mr.. Harden brooks flow Of
words was suddenly checked by Il firm
and uncompcomising grasp of his |
jugular.
'.Hold your scandalous tongue,
enuncitcd Mark Tvrrcl. Indignantly. !
''Miss Lay"rd's 5 name is far too prec- t
ious TO bc taken irreycrent.y into your
insulting mouth Let her marry |
whom she will. shall always love and
respect her, and shall insist upon
your doing at least the latter.
Il didn't mean anything sulleniy
muttered Hardenbrook, rs the young
Hercules set him down with more en-
phasis than gcntleness on the chair in
the corner. Il wish you good even |
ing, Mrs. Tarbox."
And out he founced, considering
himself very ill-used mortal.
Mark Tyrrel was about to follow his
example, when the door suddenly
opened and E,lnice ran out with red
dened cheeks and smiling lips.
'.Mark-Mark-don't so yet!' she
cried. Il want to tell you that
''Thct Squire Carpenter is all IN in
vention,' laughed Mrs. Tarbox.
''Eunice only wanted 10 find out which
of you really loved her the best"
''.Then, Eunicc! exclaimed the
young man, with kindling eyes.
"Yes," said Eunice. quietly, '.you
may have me if you will. Only"
she added, laughing. ''i'm sorry that
Mr.. HardenbrOok was 50 disturbed.
81 am not, said Mark.