Iron County register., 1889-12-19
TOURNAMENT OF LOVE.

UAauys the Fair betrayed the Con-
hdence of Two Admirers.
ihe two young men had called all
most simultaneously. George sat on
tne sofa; Albert on the little reception
chair with the gilt legs. Between
tnem, In the great armchair, sat the
ialr girl whom they had assiduously
courted during the whole summer at the
salubrious resort of Squillville Springs.
Inc two young men glared at each
other, and each stole furtive glances at
the lovely Gladys. Conversation lam
guished. A pail of gloom had settled
down upon the stately parlor, crowded
with luxurious furniture and rare bric-
a-brac AT last Gladys spoke, with
resolution in her silvery tongue
Gentlemen," she said; ..this thing
mas gone far enough. Business, it is
generally conceded, is Business. Am
In error in assuming that each of you
has called here tonight with special
object in view, and l am the special OBJ
iect.
Miss Onderdonk-Gladys-" began
both the young men at once.
That will do!'' interrupted the fair
girl; that is the usual formula. Let us
waste no time. If you have any propo-
sltlons to make and specifications to
submit, you might just as well do it
while the furnace fire holds out to burn
1t is as fair for one as for the other.
May suggest that the arbitrament of a
coin, heads or tails, might appropriately
decide who is to have the initial in
ning?"
"Will you match me?" inquired George,
nnvQrinrr witt I, oy,I = 10 i, d; oh,
he had laid upon his knee.
Il will, now or any time" responded
Albert, fierceIy, as he fiattened his palm
over half-dime with hole in it.
They lifted their hands. Albert had
not matched.
GLADYS" began George, with a height
ened color, Il love you. Whatever
wealth can do to make you happy shall
be yours. If l were the lowest. the
humblest, the most hopeless of all suit
ors, would not be more your slave
DO you mean that?" queried the girl,
with downcast eyes.
'sIndeed / do.' cried the young man,
with vehemence. ''If 1 were-why, if I
were William Bliven. that poor devil
you used to snub SO at the Springs, 1
could not be more at your mercy"
''And YOU inquired the lovely Gladys,
turning toward Albert, whose heels were
working nervously and rubbing all the
gilt off the legs of the reception-chair;
''what have you to say?"
GLADYS" he began, II can not daz-
zle you with visions of wealth and splen-
dor. / am not rich
"You are not" interrupted George;
'syou and William Bliven might just
pair up on wealth, and then you may be
you'd be able to buy one beer between
you"
81 may not be Mr.. Bliven's superior
in worldly goods retorted Albert, flush
ing proudly: but certainly am in man.
ners; and | wish l could say that much
for y0u."
''Indeed?" returned the young pluto
crat, superciliOusly: Il always supposed
that you and Bliven got your manners
together, in the same place that you got
your clothes. They always struck me
as being ready-made."
''You appear to know more about Mr..
Bliven than do was Albert's icy re-
sponse; your taste for low associates
was well known at the Springs, But,
as l was saying, Gladys, while 1 have
not material wealth., IL the deVot1on OF
a heart that is wholly yours"
''Say no more, gentlemen" said Gla-
dys, rising and smiling swee tly. 1T is
but yesterday that Mr.. William Bliven
wrote me, asking me for my hand. I
had just written my acceptance of his
proposal, when you arrived, and I
thought it was only just to give you
both a chance. You have had it. Here's
the letter. Will one of you gentlemen
do me the kindness to mail it? If Mr..
Bliven is not here by nine o'clock to-
morrow, I shall have reason to doubt
the affection you have so eloquently ex-
pressed. Good evening. gentlemen"
And as the fair young girl swept
gracefully from the room, the fire in the
furnace collapsed with a chilly thud.-
Puck.