The great West. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1889-18??, 1893-09-08
THE RIVALS.

<'Isn't that injunction drawn up
yet? l should really like to know,
Mr.. Leslie, how you have contrived
to occupy the morning."
The prosperous village lawyer
spoke rather abruptly, rustling
among the papers with impatient
vehemence. Philip Leslie looked up
with an absent-minded, wondering
stare, his brown curls rumpled and
broad, Scottish face sunburned and
flushed. while his fingers were
splashed with ink and his Office coat
worn in no very picturesque style.
Harry Belt laughed, sitting at the
opposite desk.
Don't ask Phil any questions, sir
hos in the clouds! But if my
testimony is considered of any value.
l should say he had spent the morn
ing in the woods, getting wild flowers
for Miss Wares vases!''
Judge Ware shrugged his
shoulders. profitable work. But
never mind" he added, pleasantly,
as he saw the color mount holly into
Philips face. s'Suppose you hurry
up the Injunction, Mr.. Leslie, / shall
want it this afternoon"
II will have it ready, SIR" said
Philip, plunging his quill pen reck-
lessly into the wooden lnkstand and
rafting away over the paper at a
railroad rate, while Mr.. Belt, serene
and calm at his desk, contrived to
do everything in the most graceful
manner.
The injunction was all ready; the
sweet Spanish music had died away.
Harry Belt was smoking his cigar
upon the Office steps and honest
Philip stole across the entry into
Judge Wares sitting room, where
Gertrude, the lawyers only child,
was hemming a strip of snow-white
Swiss muslin by the window.
She was fair-haired young lady,
with violet-gray eyes. cheeks as
fresh as a wild rose and saucy
little nose, turned up just the least
bit at the end. as if to express de-
fiance of the world in general. And
Harry Belt and Philip Leslie were
both desperately in love with the
lawyers pretty daughter and had
been for the last three months!
s'Oh, Philip, that's just like you!
How you do startle mel"
'I'm sure l beg your pardon, Miss
Gerty," said Philip, crimsoning and
feeling as if he should like to an
nihilate his clumsy feet.
''Take care-don't sit down in my
work basket-andm mind you don't up
set that vase!''
Philip Leslie deposited himself
carefully in chair and sat very still
and stiff. Gerry burst out laughing.
''Oh, Phil, one would think you
were strung on wires, and the ma
chinery had got loose, somehow"
'Gerty-did you like the flowers?''
What fowers?"
Philips countenance fell. 1.-The
flowers | brought from the woods
this morning"
ooh, yes-they were very pretty"'
And Gerry sewed on, indifferently.
Philip tried to think of something to
say. as he leaned forward with his
elbows on the little workable, and
tried to push his huge forefinger into
a fairy thimble.
''Gerty-"
''Oh, dear! There goes my work
basket!''
1t was too true. BY an unconscious
movement of his arm, Phil had sen,
the spools and balls and bodkins and
needle-bo rolling into the four
corners of the room. He descended
after them silently and swiftly, going
on all tours, like monstrous quad
ruped.
"Oh, Philip! Philip" sighed
Gerry.
Eyes. l know I'm clumsy, Gerty,'
groaned the law student, '.but, you
see. can't help it."
Cant help it," repeated Miss
Ware, q little scornfully. "Jus,
wait until have q husband--you'l
see whether or not he can help being
clumsy"
Until you have a husband, Gerry ,
"Yes," said the young lady, giving
her fair curls a saucy toss. Phil ha6
got his elbows on the table again
and was lingering an ivory paper
knife now, in most destructive
manner.
what will he be like, Gerty?'
"Well-let me see. He must be
good-looking, of course"
"Yes-of course" echoed Philip
with sinking heart, as he thought o.
Harry Belts Greek features and blue
black hair and mustache.
"And he must know everything
that ever was and play on the gui
tar" Harry owned a superb instru
anent land sing" (Phil had voice
like high gale of wind at sea wher
he tried to sing) land above al
things he must be-oh, take care
Phil, please!'
But Gerty's warning had come toe
late. The delicate little white 30
hemian vase, with it's long stemmeG
wild flowers. had gone over and the
table was deluged with water.
Philip pulled out his pocket hand
kerchief and went to work desperate
ly with face of scarlet. while
Gertie laughed and scolded alter
nately.