Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1893-10-14
THE RIVALS.

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
he's in the cloudsl 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 vasesrh
Judge Ware shrugged his
shoulders. profitable work But
never mind" he added, pleasantly.
as he saw the color mount holly into
Philips face. Suppose you hurry
up the injunction, Mr. Leslie, 1 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
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 strip of snow-white
Swiss muslin by the window.
She was a fair haired young lady,
with yiolet-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-
fianee 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 monthsl
ooh. Philip, that's just like you!
How yon do startle mer'
'.I'm sure beg your pardon, Miss
Gerry" said Philip, erimsoning and
feeling as if he should like to an
initiate his clumsy feet.
Take care-don't sit down in my
workbasket-and mind you don't up
set that vase,'
Philip Leslie deposited himself
carefully in chair and sat very still
and stiff Gerty burst out laughing.
ooh, Phil, one would think you
were strung on wires, and the ma
chinery had got loose, somehow.
''Gerty you like the flowers?"
What flowers?"
Philips countenance fell. 1.-The
flowers / brought from the woods
this morning"
s'Oh, yes-they were very pretty
And Gerry sewed on, indifferently.
Philip tried to think of something tc
say. as he leaned forward with his
elbows on the little work table, and
tried to push his huge forefnger into
fairy thimble.
"Gerty-"
''Oh. deari There goes my work
basketm
It was too true. By an unconsciou:
movement of his arm, Phil had sent
the spools and balls and bodkins anG
needle-boxes rolling into the -four
corners of the room. He descended
after them silently and swiftly, going
on all tours, like a monstrous quad
ruped.
ooh, Philip! Philip" sighed
Gerty.
Yes. / know I'm clumsy, Gerty.
groaned the law student, ''but, yol
see, can't help it."
Cant help it. repeated Mis-
Ware, a little scornfully. "Just
wait until have husband-yo
see whether or not he can help being
clumsy"
Until you have husband, Gerty
Yes" said the young lady, giving
her fair curls saucy toss. Phil hat
got his elbows on the table again
and was lingering an ivory papel
knife now, in a most destructive
manner.
What will he be like, Gerty?"
"Well-let me see. He must b,
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 everythin;
that ever was and play on the gui
tar" Harry owned superb instru
ment) "and sing" (Phil had voic
like high gale Of wind at sea whel
he tried to sing) land above al
things he must be-oh, take care
Phil, pleasem
But Gerty's warning had come to
late. The delicate little white BE
hemian vase, with its long stemme
wild flowers, had gone over and tn
table was deluged with water
Philip pulled out his pocket hand
kerchief and went to work desperate
ly with face of scarlet, Will
Gertie laughed and scolded alter
nately.