Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1889-09-05
LYDIA'S TWO LOVERS.
The Rivals in a Fix. and How
They Got Out Of 1t.

One of the prettiest lassies that ever
graced a country dance or turned the
head of rustic lover. was Lydia Little,
the subject of the following sketch.
Nobody could deny it; she was very
pretty. Even her rivals allowed that
she was quite fascinating, and her bit
terest enemies declared that, after all,
she was beauty.
Although Lydia was really hand
some, it was very unfortunate cir
cumstance that she was conscious OF
the fact. 1t is no injury to a girl to be
pretty, if she doesn't know it; but
Lydia had quite as perfect a knowledge
of her charms as even her warmest ad-
mirers, and the consequence was. she
became one of the most vain. shrewd
and heartless coquettes that ever made
flame.
Lydia had ardent admirers far and
near, for her beauty was famous in all
the villages within twenty miles of the
town in which her father, rich old
farmer, resided.
Although Lydia smiled on all, there
were only two who were known to
possess very great Importance in her
eyes, and who seemed to cast all her
other lovers into the shade.
One of the young men was named
White, and the other Brown. These,
it was said, were Lydia's favOrite col
Ors, and it only remained for her to
choose between them. Indeed, it was
a matter of debate in the village,
whether it would be better for her to
become little white or little brown.
Messrs. White and Brown both lived
at a distance from their mistress, but
White had the advantage over his rival,
for he lived the nearest. These two
gentlemen had heard of each other,
and felt bound to hate each other, al
though they had not the pleasure of
personal acquaintance. White was
afraid of Brown, and Brown was afraid
of White, so that Lydia. out of pure
kindness. was very careful that they
should never meet at her house.
If the rivals feared each other, they
feared Lydia's father still more. He
had tried to put stop to her heartless
fiirtations, and had repeatedly threat
ened to shoot her suitors if they didn't
keep aloOf. Besides that, his name was
Little, and he was a little man; but,
little as he was. he was little fierce,
and the beauX were not little afraid
of his resentment.
One day, when Lydia's father was
gone from home, and was not expected
back until late at night, she determined
to send for one of her suitors to come
and keep her company during the even
ing. But which should she choose?
Here was adilemma, indeed. She re-
flected that Brown was with her last,
and feeling that it would be unjust not
to allow White to come in his turn, she
resolved that White should be the man.
So she dropped line to White, and
had every thing prepared for his re-
ception in the evening.
Lydia felt so confident that her dear
White would fly to meet her, that she
would have been willing TO stake her
life that he would be there exact at the
appointed hour. White was very pune
tual, and she felt that he loved her too
well to allow any thing whatever to
interfere with the interview.
However, as time passed and he did
not arrive at the moment, she began TO
change her mind, and to wonder how
she had ever permitted White to occu-
Ply the same heart with such noble
fellow as Brown.
Brown would not have failed-he
l know"
Such thoughts were running in her
mind, when there was a rap at the
door. She knew White was there, and
forgetting her resentment. few to
admit him. What was her surprise on
finding that it was not White, but
Browni
Don't be surprised" painted the de-
lighted lover, 81 shouldn't have dared
to come-'fraid of the old man-but
saw him-middle of the afternoon-he
told me-Um so out of breath l can
hardly speak)-he wasn't coming home
till midnight
so you took an opportunity of visit
ing me during his absence-eh?"
Just So"
Lydia smiled on him at first, but !
then she looked thoughtful. and finally
appeared quite perplexed. She was
considering what fix she would be
in, if White should be coming along
about that time.
You mustn't stop" said she. nerv-
ously; 'father'n be home-I expect |
him every minute-and if he should |
find you"
''Pshaw! there's ne danger" said |
Brown, she won't be home yet awhile.
and if he comes, can slip into the
kitchen and get out the back door"
Finding she could not send her lover