Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1892-01-28
IIMMS'S STRATEGY.

believed IN seeking the bubble reputa-
ton. even i'm the cannon's mouth. {"
Timms. on the contrary, believed there
was policy in war, and that the end JUS
titled the means, particularly il the end
was attained Companions from in
fancy had been spent in competition for
scholastic and such other honors as the
locality afforded, without even mo-
mentary break in their friendship. But
now, in early manhood. they struggled
for prize Of incalculable value. with an
ardor that threatened complete rupture
Of friendly relations.
The heart aud hand Of Eliza Reed. the
neiglborhood belle, Were to be won. and
to-these none others might aspire. ia the
face of such formidable competition as
that Of Mapes and 1imms.
Coquetry is delicious to woman, and
Eliza would not have been feminine had
she been in haste to have made an cleo
tion. Nevertheless, she did not intend
TO miss her opportunity. She knew well
the war could not always last, and feared
that when one Of the aspirants for her
favor withdrew from the contest. the love
of theother, wanting the stimulus Of COM
petition, would grow cold; hence she
had made her mind up that upon
the most favorable opportunity she
would signify to Mapes that his
suit, so often pressed, was at last ac-
cepted, The opportunity, it seemed. was
not to be long wanting, for invitations
were given out for an apple bee in the
neighborhood, and Eliza found means to
convey an intimation to Mapes that she
expected to meet him there, and counted
on his escort home at the conclusion OF
the frolic.
The appointed evening looked for with
such nervous anticipation by Mapes came
at length. He felt that 1t was the most
important OF his life, and arrayed him
self as only rustic dandy can. His way
lay across meadow, through which ran
--or rather loitered-a deep. but narrow
stream. spanned by a single log. 1t was
so dark when he reached this primitive
bridge that he was compelled to feel his
way slowly across. As he progressed it
began to swing lightly very
unusual--until he reached the center.
I
and he was launched into the water He
scrambled out, and was forced to bid
adieu for the night to all hopes Of plight
ing his troth to the loved Eliza.
In the rural districts Down East in
early times the good people had such
habits Of industry and rigid economy that
they seldom gave or attended parties,
unless such were cloaked under the names
of raisings, cuttings, huskings, or apple
bees; thus, the apple bee fraught with
momentous consequences to Mapes and
Timms was but a social party in disguise
"a few apples being pared, quartered,
cored, and strung in the early evening
for appearances sake.
AS usual, Eliza Reed was the belle OF
the occasion. Good looks, entire self
possession, and a keen, satirical wit
always assured her that position; and
this night she shone with unusual brill
fancy, until. as the hours wore away and
Mapes came not, she began to lose her
self in pondering why, and at length
asked Timms:
as your friend Mapes ailing?-
II guess not, replied Timms; saw
him to-day. He wasn't complaining.
"He denies himself much pleasure, {"
said Eliza, in not coming here TO y iit.
for this is the place where We always
have good time. Aunt Judy knows
how to give an apple bee.
"You let Mapes alone, answered
Timms; he knows what he's sbout.
"What do you mean 2" asked Eliza.
SOh, / mean, I" replied Timms, shat
Mapes is the prince of good fellows and
gets invitations where the rest of US
don't.
Where is Mapes to-night?" asked
Eliza. now fully aroused.
II don't know for sure, answered
Timms. "He told me to-day there were
special reasons for his coming here, but
that he had an invitation to the rich
and aristocratic Squire Euntoon's, who
is celebrating his daughters birthday,
and that he didn't know which way he
would CO." And Timms turned away
20 talk to the next prettiest girl in the
room.
Petted young women are seldom log
ical or patient. When the party broke
up Eliza accepted Timms's escort to her
home, and before they arrived there she
had consented to become, with the least
possible delay, Mrs. Timms. The next
day the engagement was announced.
and preparations for the wedding COM
menced. Timms was exultant-happy
Tmms!
For few days Timms was not much
seen in public-perhaps for want OF
courage to wear his blushing honon
openly; perhaps for want of courage to
meet some other contingencies-wh
knows? But man can not make ar
rangements for his own wedding from
a fixed standpoint, and he was com
PEELED to venture cut. In q quiet and
secluded byway he met Mapes. The
meeting to him was a surprise: he
smiled feebly and extended his hand.
But Mapes, intent on business. strodr
sauarely up TO Timms and planted .
vigorous blow on one Of his eyes
which caused that gentleman to measure
his length in the dust. Timms sprang
to his feet and showed fight, but an
other blow on the other eye sent him
again to grass, where be continued TO
lie.
@Get up, said Mapes.
you'll knock me down again. said
Timms.
-Yes, returned Mapes, Il will
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