The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1898-09-08
RACE FOR A WIFE.

ne hIthffI UAAaaAN NkFA "R"N'f
ssrdedea ihe girl before her With eyiden
s3mitsiion and affection.
Meis E,ndsli's fair isee wore 8 perpiei
trpleIed erpressioa and her sweet vole'
trembled as sbe replied:
II oaly knew, suniiei
4 To one even less vefscd 10 the eh.rseie
oi the eitl than Mrs Preston the sincsr
regret 10 Der tone Sonld have been smpl
that neilhOv coqnetty nor vanity had u
duce1 such q reply.
The elder lady observed hor cnriousl!
tor = momen. then ssid
Since both men are handsome aud eqaa
" eligible. you should trust entirely &
your heart TO decide.
Bat, suntie dear, my heart speaks 81
iavorsbly Tor one ss the other. Henrl
and Philip have been my comrades. m,
cavaliers, from childhood. II would seen
nnus ursl not to love them both. | fee
tha, could mmry either tomorrow and
never regret my choice, am cure ! Low,
them equally. Was ever poor girl in
sach pitisbIe condition Of uuoeitainty
Do choose my husbsnd for mel she eI
treated, as she dropped upon cushion at
Mrs Pfeston's feet.
The snn. gently pstted tho head npor
het lap.
It'sa great responsibility, Meta, TO place
upon my shoulders. What il. after all,
should choose the wrong one? But
have plsp, at least How feasible il
may prove you are the one to determine.
As Mrs Preston uniolded her scheme
Metals dropping head was lifted; then
smiles OF delight chased each other over
her features, and fiuslly, as the elder won
an finished speaking. she sprans to her
feet. exclsiming ioyously;
Jnst the thing, yon dear. original
auDtie Now take this and this and this
and laughing merriy che kissed her
again and again.
There, sweetheart, thetel Better wal,
and learn the success OF the plan, exelalm
ei Mrs Preston. Those letters must be
ans " wered Immediately. she sdded, point
ing to the crumpled missiyes On the
floor.
Yes indeed the girl replied as she pick
ed the letters. Oh, It's too funny! she
added as she ran gsyly from the room.
Tlst evening, in response to the invits
tions che bad sent TO them. Henry Davis
and Philip Stanton called upon her. Mr.
Davis arrived few minutes later than
Mr., Stanton, and look OF disappoint
ment was plainly appsrent upon the face
OF each at the unexpected presence OF the
other. Miss Randall, however, was in the
best OF spirits. ard she talked gayly upon
minor topics until feeling OF mutual fel
lowshp was apparently established be
tween the men. Then, with womanly
tact, she gravely introduced the subject
which concerned them all.
Henry Phillip, she began, | have in
vited you here, not indeed to answer the
question which both Of you have SO honor
ed me by asking, but to make PROPOSE
tion to you. You will think me an odd
girl perhape, but at least you cannot re
proach me for either coquefry or dishon
esty when tell you that my answer holds
q condition. First want to ask You ono
question: Have l ever. by word or look
or action. signiied to either that he was
fayorte in my regarda In all the years
OF our friendship hsvel ever manifested
any affection for one that l have not as
freely accorded to the other?
The llual flush which gradually suflused
her face displayed the excitement her
candor bad provoked, and she drew
deep breath OF relief as both men simultan
eously answered:
Neverl
Thanks. Now, listen to my frank nd
mission. Az far as ] have been able TO
analyzs my feelings, am sure love You
both eq ually. AS accept but one, the
question must be decided for me, hence
the condition. III either or both refuse to
accept il, must stipulste that our past
harmonious relations be sustained with
on, any future reference TO the possibility
Of msrrisRe with ti.her. And now the
couditionl
The condition both men quickly repeat
ed.
propose bicycle race between us
three. l am TO hsve the precedence OF
one block in starting. II Is 10 be three
mile rsce upon the mscsdemizsd road be
tween this house and Crystal spring
The one who overtskes me before or rs
We reach The spring will not only be the
winner Of the race. but also Of wife. IL
you oyertske me Ut the same time, yon
will draw lots to see who is the victor.
The faces OF the msn wore an odd eX
preston, but they promptly exclaimed
We sgree.
II was beautiful My morning, and
the piciuresque road leading TO Crystal
spring wss 40 appropriate one for . race
which N uss 10 any case afford romantic
ending. 1. was bordered With hedges and
stately trees odorous with tender buds
and leaves, from smong which busy little
builders caroled merry sccompaninents
to their nnceising labor.
The novelty OF this race for a vile e1ci'
"a mach pleasant comment from the
group Of ifiends ana cyclists who bad
gathered 10 Mfs. Pres,on's front yard. re
spoasiye TO her invitation 10 watch the
start o. The trio aud sccoDpauy them up
ou the race.
Itvss ias. 10 o'clock when Meta Ran
81