The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-10-26
SHOOTING FOR A HUSBAND.

80 see: so now tell me what you
are come end what you are here for"
Uncle, is II true that you really
mean to say that any girl who hap
pened to shoot well should-should-in
short, that you think the only qualifl-
cation for my wife is to know how to
use bow and arrow"
II did not think my words were so
difficult to understand" said Mr..
Compton; but as you appear rather
dull of comprehension, ] will write out
my orders"-there was a strong en-
phasis on this word-"for Wednesday
week. and as / intend TO have several
papers put up i'm different parts of my
grounds you may amuse yourself by
| reading them. Good morning, sir--we
meet at dinner; but you viii please TO
remember there need be no further
: discussion of this subject"
| Mr. Compton then took up the paper
and was soon engrossed with the sub
| ject he had been disturbed from,
| though Clifford heard, or thought he
| heard, the words Poor boy! poor
| boy!" as he left the room.
Several times during the day he went
out to see If any papers were visible.
| but carefully avoided the archery
| ground, knowing from the noise which
| proceeded from the spot that many
were there practicing. When ne re-
turned to his room to dress for dinner,
he found the following paper in his un-
cle's handwriting:
GREAT FORMATION.
Great ToxophIlite Entertanment.-O
| Wednesday, May 2i, a grand meeting will
| take place among the ladies of Great
| Tormarton. The winner to receive the
prize of "A Pcarly She'll and also a hus-
band IL she wishes it. n. B.-The estate
or Great Tormarton to be presented on
| INC same occasion.
(signed JEREMIAH COMPTON"
We leave Clifford Bradley to ponder
| over this extraordinary paper, while
| we look at the effect it produced in
the village; and not alone in the village
in which the hall was situated, for
| the singularity of the announcement
had caused its publication from village
| to village, and parties were formed to
| attend in all directions, for every one
was to be made welcome, though only
the residents were to be performers.
But no words can express the excite
| ment of the twelve girls whose names
were entered as competitors. Nothing
else was talked of, and nothing else
was thought Of. From morn till dusk
practing was going on and when Flora
Carter was one of the party she was
the victor. Two days before the all
important one. four of the members
begged to have their names taken off
the list saying the very thought of
it made them nervous, they were sure
they could not stand the realty-there
I-xsI 60,
and Clifford had met but once since
the meeting recorded in the early part
of this tale, and then Minnie wished
to withdraw from the trial; but Cliff
ford begged her so earnestly not to
throw away his only hope that she con-
sented to let her name remain.
AT length the day arrived. Marques
were erected in the different parts of
the beautiful grounds with refresh
ments. and the evening was to close
with dance at the hall. At an early
hour guests Of all descriptions were
vending their way to the joyous scene,
and the fields and roads were crowded
with pedestrians and vehicles of all
sorts, from the handsome equipage of
the neighboring squire to the humble
tax cart of the adjoining village.
Twelve o'clock was the time appointed
for the grand event, and as the hour
| approached the crowd drew near the
archery ground. commenting on the un-
usual proceeding.
The clock struck 10 and the bells
commenced a merry peal; but they
were stopped by order of Mr.. Comp.
ton, till, as he said, they had some-
thing to ring for"
And now appeared the eight fair
girls, dressed alike in white. with
green scarfs thrown over one shoulder
ana fastened at the waist with a small
silver arroW-a present from the doc
tor, kind and jocOse old man, who
said he was determined all should get
something. They mad straw hats with
dropping green feather; and truly
if Tormarton had nothing else to boast
Of it might surely be proud or these
eight fair maidens. All countenances
expressed more or less excitement, but
who could tell the feeling of their
hearts? Flora and Minnie were the
most calm, the former, it may be,
from a well-assured hope of success,
and the latter from the peaceful trust
she so happily evinced on every occa-
sion. Lots were drawn for the order
of procedure, and the game began.
Flora, Minnie, Clara and Annie
Simpson were so nearly alike that they
had to go through the ordeal again,
when Annie was cast out. One more
trial and Clara was rejected. leaving
now only Flora and Minnie for the
decisive shot
Minnie had hitherto kept quite calm,
but now she was so overcome that the
idea of giving up to Flora crossed her
mind; but she thought of Clifford, and
determined to press on to the last.
The excitement was greater than ever
when the two took their stand. Every
voice was hushed, and the whizzing ar
rows alone told of life and motion.
1t is overland Flora Carter is declar-
ed the conqueror. Many heads drop
ped 'sorrowfully, for Minnie Foster
was loved by all, while Flora's proud
spirit had gained her few friends.
But Mr.. Compton's commands were
issued, that the eight candidates should
repair to the hall: his nephew also
was ordered to be present and as many