Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1893-11-09
Barclay seated himself at the piano

Ten minutes passed. Suddenly Bar
clay turned.
MY dear fellow" he said, II am
going to ask You Il great favor: Won't
you 80 away? The fact is l don't
think Miss Rashlcgh will come down
until you do GO"
"IIh!' cried Trafton; then he laughed.
You'd better 80, old fellow" he cried;
ut is you who arc dc trop. She OK
pccted me-"
II doubt that" said Barclay: Il am
here toto say something very particu-
lar to her. | must have my Opportu-
lily"
ut would be no use," replied Trafton:
"she has promised to listen to me to-
night"
II do not believe YOU" said Barclay.
That is another form of you lic,'
cried 1rafton.
The men faced each other, speaking
in whispers.
Consider it So said Barclay
Consider yourself knocked down.
said TrlftOn. tapping him on the breast.
I'D do 1t in reality if we We're not
| where we are
Every good" said Barclay.
Il shall send a gentleman to you
tomorrow to arrange for our meeting"
said TraftOn. Meanwhile, are you
going?"
No said Barclay; "are your
Not l." said Trafton.
They seated themselves and glared
at each other furiously. Again the bell
rang. Once more some one asked for
Miss Rashliegh. This time it was Col
Buck. He nodded to the young men
and took Il large armchair. Soon he
looked at his watch, rose, walked to the
door, and spoke to the servant, who
hurried through the hail.
You told Miss Rashlicgh?''
eyes, sly. She said in Il minute
sir"
Very WE'LL" said the colonel, and ap-
preached Trafton and Barclay.
Il beg a thousand pardons, young
gentlemen" he said. But l am here
on special and private business, and
should esteem it Il favor never to be
forgotten if you would kindly leave the
house. In fact, / am here tonight to
be accepted. / have made an offer to
Miss Rose, and-wcll, my hopes run
high. There's candid confession from
a man who might be your father and
you'll oblige me by saying goodnight
| lIdlt oll SIlooh Ills mead.
Il couldn't possibly do it, colonel"
he said. Il intend to have my oppor-
tunity first; and, candidly, l am very
sure you have no chance
Gas to ne. | sit here until | have
spoken to Miss Rose llonc,' said Bar
clay.
''Shc will not come down until YOU
both 90. said the colonel Come,
| |
less | Wcr" sure of her favor
That's false" said Traf,on.
''AS well as absurd said Barclay
After thar you must both fight me-"
said the Colonel.
Il will be very glad to do so after I
have had the pleasure of meeting all-
other gentleman who has challenged
me- said Barclay.
Il am in the same position" said
Trafton; but our seconds can settle
that"
Again Inc dOOr-bcll rung. This time
a procession Of young men entcrcd-ten
Of the single gentlemen Of Clrrmont,
1.-Two young WldoWcrS and an ancient
person Known as Grandpa MaclanG,
who had lost four wives already.
They dispersed themselves about the
parlor, and each evidently felt all the
others supcrf1uOllS. Grandpa MaclanC
was the only one to speak, and he said:
Kind o Gurus. us all meetin, here. y
No one answered him.
| However Rose was coming at last.
The rustic Of her robes was heard OH
the stairs. In a moment she glided in,
and following her was gentleman.
Rose wore Il gray travelling costume,
and her hat. The gentleman was also
attircd as for the road, and carried two
bags and a strap containing two para
soils. He paused on the threshold and
blushed. She did not
Advancing to the middle of the par
lOr, she made courtsey. quite of the
Old-fashiOned sort, and said:
Good evening. gentlemen. j believe
I received a letter from each Of you,
and that promised each an answer to-
night. This is my answer: Permit me
to present my husband, Mi. Larkins.
We were married at O'clock; we've
/ been engaged three years, and rs we
must catch the $50 train, and the car
rage is ut the door, / have to say good.
bye in haste. You've made it very
jolly for me this summer. l leave my
regards for the ladies Of Clermont.'
She was gone. The regiment Of adj
lllllclS Sioou StdIIHS AZ thSiA "IAA|A .
Grandpa Maclanc said:
wal. / want to know-did anybody
ever see the like
The colonel laughed dolefully; Il still
more dOleful chorus Of "ha-ha-ha 81
followed. and the servant girl Uttered
as she opened the door for their de-
parturc So did the landlady and the
other bOardcrs, who were pceping
through the windOw-shutters and over
the stairs; 50. as the news spread, did
all the ladies of Clcrmont.
The duels were not fought. On the
contrary, the several enemies became
allied forces, and their only hope was
to be forgiven by those they had Of
Tended. AS yet, however, that has not
happened.
This winter the ladies Of Clermont
continued to exclude 1.-The gentlemen"
from their social gatherings, but the
affairs have not been gay. The grand
fathers went to sleep in corners, the
little brothers found escort duty Il bore,
and there was a gieat deal of gaping
behind fans In fact. the doctors wife
tells me that if the Misses More should
nd 90 r