Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1898-08-29
RACE FOR A WIFE.

Well, Which sutton is TO receive Ine
happy affirmative, Meta?"
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
trembled as she replied:
eff only knew, auntieP'
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 a
reply.
The elder lady observed her curiously
for a moment and then said:
'FSince both men are handsome and
equally eligible, you should trust en-
6irely 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.
feel that I could marry either tomor-
row and never regret my choice. am
sure I love them equally. Was ever
poor girl in such pitiable condition of
uncertainty? Do choose my husband for
meI' she entreated, as she dropped
upon a cushion at Mrs. Preston's feet.
The aunt gently patted the head upon
her lap.
cts a great responsibility, Meta, to
place upon my shoulders What if, aft
er all, 1 should choose the wrong one?
But have plan, at least. How feast
BILE it may prove you are the one 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.
eyes indeedl'' the girl replied as she
picked up the letters. ''Oh, it's too
funnyI'' she added as she ran gayly
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 look of
disappointment was plainly apparent
upon the face of each at the unexpected
presence of the other. Miss Randall,
however, was in the best of spirits, and
she talked gayly upon minor topics un-
til 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, 81
have invited you here. not indeed to
answer the question which both of you
have so honored me by asking, but to
make a proposition to you. You will
think me an odd girl perhaps, but at
least you cannot reprOach me for either
coQuetry or dishonesty when tell you
that my answer holds a condition. First
L want to ask you one question: Have I
ever, by word or look or action, signi-
fed to either that he was favorite in
my regard? In all the years of our
friendship have l ever 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 of relief as both men stimuli
taneously answered:
''NeverI'
Thanks Now, listen to my frank
admission. AS far as l have been able
to analyze my feelings, I am sure I love
you both equally. AS can accept but
one, the question must be decided for
me; hence the condition. If either or
both refuse to accept it, I must stipu-
late that our past harmonious relations
be sustained without any future refer
ence to the possibility of marriage with
either And now the conditioni''
1.-THE condition % both men quickly
repeated.
Il propose bicycle race between US
three. l am to have the precedence Of
one block in starting. It is to be a 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 wife.
If 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"
1t was beautiful May morning, and
the picturesque road leading to Crystal
spring was an appropriate one for
race which must in any case afford ro-
mantle ending. 1t was bordered with
hedges and. stately trees odorous with
bender buds and leaves from among