Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1898-09-30
RACE FOR A WIFE.

Well, which sutton is TO receive the
happy affirmative, Mcta?''
The speaker, a middle aged woman,
regarded the girl before her with evil
dent admiration and affection.
Meta Randall's fair face wore a per-
picked expression, and her sweet voice
trcmbled as she replied;
''If / only knew, auntiei'
To one even less versed in the char
meter of the girl than Mrs. Preston tho
sincere regret in her tone would have
been ample a4zorpnce that neither CO.
quetry nor vanity had induced such q
reply.
The elder lady observed her ~curiously
for q moment and then said:
"Since both men are handsome and
equally eligible, You should trust en-
tirely to your heart to decide"
but, auntio dear, my heart speaks
rs favorably for one as tho other. Henry
and Philip have been my comrades, my
cavaliers. from childhood. 1t would
seem unnatural mol to love them both.
feel that l could marry either tomor-
row and never regret my choice. ] am
sure l love them equally. Was ever a
poor girl in such q pitiable condition of
uncertainty? Do choose my husband for
moi she entreatcd, as she dropped
upon q cushion at Mrs. Preston's feet.
Tho aunt gently patted the head upon
her lap.
Its n great responsibility, Meta, to
place upon my shoulders. What If, aft
er all, 1 should choose the wrong one?
But | havo a plan, at least. How feast
bic it may prove you are the II to de-
termine."
AS Mrs. Preston unfolded her scheme
Meta's dropping head was lifted; then
smiles Of delight chased each ether over
her features, and finally, as the elder
woman finished speaking. she sprang to
her feet, exclaiming jcyously:
"Just tho thing, you dear, original
auntiel Now take this and this and
thisr' and, laughing merrily, she kissed
her again and again.
"Thero, sweetheart, therol 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.
Eyes ipdccdr' the girl replied as she
picked up the letters. "Oh, it's too
funnyl' she added as she ran gayly
from the room.
That evening, in response to the in
vitations enc Lad cent to theth, Henry
Davis and Philip Stanton called upon
her. Mr.. Davis arrived q few minutes
later than Mr.. Stanton. and q look OF
disappointment was plainly apparent
upon the face of each at the unexpected
presence of tho other. Miss Randall,
however, was in the best of spirits, and
she talked gayly upon minor topics un.
til a feeling of mutual fellowship wal
apparently established between the
men. Then, with womanly tact, she
Rravely introduced the subject which
concerned them all.
"Henry-Philip," she began, 81
have invited you here. not indeed Il
answer the question which both Of you
have so honored me by asking, but Il
make a proposition to you. You will
think me an odd girl perhaps. hut a
least you cannot reproach me for eitheI
coquetry or dishonesty when l tell yoI
that my answer holds a condition. Firs
/ want to ask you n question: Have
ever, by word or look or action, signi
fed to either that he was a favorite il
my regard? In all the years of on
friendship have ! ever manifested an.
affection for u that | have not as free
ly accorded 70 the other?"
The flush which gradually suffuse,
her face displayed the excitement he
candor had provoked, and she drew
deep breath of relief as both men stimuli
~taneously answered;
"NeverI"
"Thanks. Now, listen to my fran
admission. AS far as | have been abb
to analyze my feelings, l am sure / Low
you both equally. AS / can accept bu
one, the question must be decided 70
me; hence the condition. If either O
both refuse to accept it, l must stipu
late that our past harmonious relation
be sustained without any future refer
ence to the possibility Of marriage wit
either. And now thu condition.
1.-THE condition" both men qnickl.
repeated.
II propose q bicycle race between u
three. am to have the precedence Q
II block in starting. 1t is to be a tire
mile raco upon the macadamized roa
between this house and Crystal spring
The one who overtakes me before or o
We reach the spring will not only be tn
winner Of the race, but also of q wife
II you overtake me at the same time
You will draw lots to SEQ who is "a
victor"
The faces Of the men wore an odd o.
preston. but they promptly exclaimed
I'VE agree"
II was a beautiful May morning, an
bepicturesque road leading 10 Crysti
spring was an appropriate one for
3 which must in any cas afford a n
mantio ending. II was bordered wit
hedges aud stately trees odorous wit
SENDER buds aud leaves, from anon