, 1898-08-18
RACE FOR A WIFE.

ItkhIueu lHe girl DeIOTo ner WIFI EVIL
dent admiration and affection.
Meta Randall's fair face wore a per-
picked expression, and her sweet voice
tremb!cd as she replied:
eff / only knew, auntie!"
To one even less versed in the char
acter of the girl than Mrs. Preston the
sincere regret in her tone would have
been ample assurance that neither CO.
quetry nor vanity had induced such q
reply.
The elder lady observed her c~uriously
for a moment and then said:
"Since both men are handsome and
equally eligible, you should trust en-
tirely to your heart to decide"
"But, auntie dear, my heart speaks
as favorably for one as the other. Henry
and Philip have been my comrades, my
cavaliers, from childhood. 1t would
seem unnatural not to love them both.
I feel that I could marry either tomor-
row and never regret my choice. l am
sure I love them equally. Was ever Il
poor girl in such n pitiable condition of
uncertainty? Do choose my husband for
me!' she entreated, as she dropped
upon q cushion at Mrs. Preston's feet.
The aunt gently patted the head upon
her lap.
Elisa great responsibility, Meta, to
place upon my shoulders. What if, aft
er all, I should choose the wrong one?
But I have a plan, at least. How feast
BILE it may prove you are tho N to de-
termine."
AS Mrs. Preston unfolded her scheme
Metals dropping head was lifted; then
smiles of delight chased each other over
her features, and finally, as the elder
woman finished speaking, she sprang to
her feet, exclaiming joyously:
"Just the thing, you dear, original
auntiel Now take this and this and
thisl" and, laughing merrily, she kissed
her again and again.
"There, sweetheart, there! Better
wait and learn the success of the plan,"
exclaimed Mrs. Preston. "Those letters
must be answered Immediately" she
added, pointing to the crumpled mis-
sives on the floor.
"Yes indeedr' the girl replied as she
picked up the letters. "Oh, it's too
1uuuy! eue uuueu as sut Tdu Sdyly
from the room.
That evening, in response to the in
vitations she had sent to them, Henry
Davis and Philip Stanton called upon
her. Mr.. Davis arrived a few minutes
later than Mr.. Stanton, and a look of
disappointment was plainly apparent
upon the face Of each at tho unexpected
presence Of the other. Miss Randall,
however. wal in the best of spirits, and
she talked gayly upon minor topics un-
til q feeling of mutual fellowship was
apparently established between the
men. Then, with womanly tact, she
gravely introduced the subject which
concerned them all.
"Henry-Philip," she began, II
have invited you here. not indeed to
answer the question which both Of you
have so honored me by asking, but to
make q proposition to you. You will
think me an odd girl perhaps, but at
least you cannot reproach me for either
ooquetry or dishonesty when 1 tell you
that my answer holds a condition. First
I want to ask you Il question: Have l
ever, by word or look or action, signi-
fed to either that he was a favorite in
my regard? In all the years of Jul
friendship have I over manifested any
affection for one that 1 have not as free
ly accorded to the other?"
The flush which gradually suffused
her face displayed the excitement her
candor had provoked, and she drew a
deep breath 4 relief as both men stimuli
~taneously answered:
"Neverr"
"Thanks. Now, listen to my frank
admission. As far as l have been able
to analyze my feelings, I am sure l love
you both equally. AS l q accept but
n the question must be decided for
me; hence the condition. If either or
both refuse to accept it, l must stipu.
late that our past harmonious relations
be sustained without any future refer
enoe to the possibility Of marriage with
either. And now the condition.
"The condition p both men quickly
repeated.
II propose a bicycle race between us
three. l am to have the precedence of
one block in starting. 1t is to be n three
mile race upon the macadamized road
between this house and Crystal spring.
The one who overtakes me before or as
we reach the spring will not only be the
winner Of the race, but also OF n wife.
II you overtake me at the same time,
you will draw lots to see who Is the
victor"
The faces Of the men wore an odd ex.
preston, but they promptly exclaimed:
eve agree"
It was q beautiful May morning, and
the picturesque road leading to Crystal
spring was an appropriate one for .
race which must in any case afford a TO-
mautic ending. It was bordered with
hedges and stately trees odorous with
tender buds and leaves, from among
which busy little builders caroled merry
sccnsmpaniments to their u~nceastng Ia
boz.
The novelty Of this race for a wife
excitsd much pleasant comment ifom
the sroup Of friends and cyclists who
had m&hered In Mrs. Preston's front
vn1d. Responsive to her invitation te
watch the START Of the trio and accom-
pany them upon the race.
Il va just 10 o'clock when Metz
Ra.dall, neatly att:1 | ia a cycling sui
q oiivS green with n..inting silver trim
49, passsd out u the house and greet
q - fxsends with . pleasant soo<
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