The Progress., 1893-09-16
THE RIVALS.


among the papers with impatient
rebemence. Philip Leslie looked up
nth an absent-minded, wondering
stare. his brown curls rumpled and
hroad. Scottish face sunburned and
sushed. 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
he's in the clouds! But if my
testimony is considered of any value,
should say he had spent the morn
ing in the woods, getting wild flowers
for Miss Wares vases!"
Judge Ware shrugged his
.boulders profitable work. But
never mind" he added, pleasantly,
as he Saw the color mount hotly into
Philips face. Suppose you hurry
up the injunction, Mr.. Leslie, shall
want it this afternoon"
81 will have it ready, SIR" said
Philip, plunging his quill pen reck-
iessly into the wooden Inkstand and
rattling 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 hemlning 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 a saucy
little nose, turned up just the least
bit at the end. as if to express de-
fsnce 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!
''0h, Philip, that's just like you!
How you do startle mer'
"l'm sure / beg your pardon, Miss
Gerty," said Philip, crimsoning and
feeling as il he should like to an
initiate his clumsy feet.
Take care-don't sit down in my
workbasket-and mind you don't up
oct that vase!"
Philip Leslie deposited himself
carefully in chair and sat very still
and stiff. Gerty burst out laughing.
"Oh, Phil, ono would think you
we're strung on wires, and the ma
chinery had got loose, somehow.
'Gerty-did you like the flowersP"
"What nowersp"
Philips countenance fell The
nowers i brought from the woods
Ibis morning"
"Uh, yes-they were very pretty"
And Gerty sewed on, indifferently.
rhilip tried to think of something to
ssy as he leaned forward with his
elbows on the little workable, and
ried to push his huge forefinger into
siairy thimble.
''Gerty-"
"0h. dear. There goes my work
hsketr
1t was too true By an unconscious
movement OF his arm, Phil had sent
we spools and balls and bodkins and
hsedie-boxes rolling into the four
eorners Of the room. He descended
sIser them silently and swiftly, going
" Oil tours, like a monstrous quad
nped.
"Oh. Philip! Philip" sighed
Gerty.
"fes know I'm clumsy. Gerty."
uosned the law student, "but, you
'es' ! can't help it."
Cant help it," repeated Miss
ware, q little scornfully. Just
-" until ] have a husband--you'll
- whether or not he can help being
clumsy"
Until you have husband. Gerty."
les" said the young lady. giving
aes iair curls saucy toss. Phil had
81. Ms elbows on the table again.
sea was lingering an ivory paper
..ue now, in a most destructive
manner.
what will he be- like, Gertyw
"Nell-let me see. He must be
sood-looking. of course"
"ies-of course" echoed Philip.
n''n sinking heart. as he thought of
larry Belts Greek features and blue
ssck hair and mustaohe.
a. And he must know everything
80. ever was and play on the gui-
lharry owned a superb instru-
~ ut and sing" (Phil had a voice
se : high gale Of wind at sea when
~ - Tried to sing) land above all
ngs he must be-oh. take care.
Enli, pleasem
oat Gerty's warning had como too
The delicate little white Boz
ss,s s'sn vase, with its long -stemmed
s-as ~ MOVERS. had gone over and the
1se was deluged with water.
siip pulled out his pocket tand-
0olef and went to work desps rate
With n faca of ocor1at whila