Griggs courier. (Cooperstown, Griggs Co., Dak. [N.D.]) 1885-1902, 1900-11-15
Two Lovers of Lila

both charming in such opposite. such
contrasting ways. 1t was Max Claren-
don, her fathers private secretary,
who had ueen sent to bring her home
the day she graduated, Like n true
woman the opinion Of other women
influenced her.
He isn't really handsome her
companion had declared. HE is too
angular-and just a little awkward"
Then there's his hair. He ought to
wear that long-or at least as long as
Irving wears his-if he is really
poet.
For Max Clarendon had published
some really remarkable verse in the
leading magazines. 20, he isn't to be
compared to your fathers partner
Burton Dildine." decided Lila's bosom
friend. HE is so big and broad-he
has such look of bravery. And it's
plain to be seen he adores you, Lila"
But Lila only laughed, and said that
all this talk was nonsense. She de-
clared she was a girl who was wise
only in the knowledge of how ignor-
ant she really was. And that she was
going home to keep house for her IA
Their, and that it would be many
wear before she left him for-anyone.
Nevertheless. i'm the year that fol-
lowed, and the next, she found her
self forced to consider the assiduites
of her ardent if depressed suitors. For
she could not conceal from herself
and perhaps would not if she could
the fact that both men loved her.
Though. indeed, they showed it in
vastly different ways. One might
have fancied that it was only her
feminine intuition which made plain
to her the fact that Max Clarendon
loved her at all He was occupied
with her fathers interests. He was
consumed by the unwavering passion
of his own enhancing literary labors.
And he did not pay her the pro-
nounced and open homage of Dildine.
who besieged her with invitations and
bombardeu her with flowers.
But when they met by cnance there
was a sudden lightning flash in his
dreamy eyes, a swift compression of
the sensitive. beardless lips, quick
irralliation of countenance which be-
trayed the ecstatic thrill the mere
sight of her had given him "rhat
secretary of your lather's is queer
chap" remarked Dildine one day
Some late verses of Clarendon's had
been hugely praised by the critics anG
he was absurdly irritated thercat. 81
don't believe he has the nerve Of a
cat. We happened to meet the Other
day just as an accident occurred on
Washington street. A ragged little
devil of newsboy slipped fell under
the wheels of cable car, and was
horribly injured. pom my word
Clarendon went white as a ghost.
thought he would have tainted. He:
good bit of a coward, l take it.
A coward! The term ranked i'll thu
girls mind. 1t unconscionsly intlu
enced her, as had the remark of he
nearest friend. She had all wcm
ans admiration Of bravery. The grea
man was to her the man of heroisln-
of daring.
When that evening Max Clarendon
brought her little gift she was per
haps less pleased by the offering thai
she would have been before her ia
theirs partner had reflected upon hi
courage. The gift was slim volum
of verse, written by a brilliant and IN
happy poet of the Pacific coast
man whose self-inflicted death wa
only less sad than his life. She ha
expressed a desire to read the poem:
Max was quite exhilarated at havin
secured such an exquisite edition.
"You will find many lines as delight
full as those l quoted" he assured he
81 know you will appreciate th
pathos-the beauty of his work"
THANK you" she said, trit1e cold1l
"you are good. Pray do not exert youl
self again to humor my fances."
The glow and light went out of hi
face. He staid but short time. mul
INJURED few perfunctory words
leave-taking. and went away with
manner which seemed sullen, but w;
merely the cloak of despair.
And Lila-sitting with slim, id
hands clasped behind her head-remen
boring the remorse she strove to stiff
the panied look upon his countenanc
saw before her as plainly as though
the flesh those two lovers of hers. Or
so slender grave. reticent, unasserti>
the other so strong, massive, tiori
powerful. What a man to have for
life defender-for pillar of grant
upon which to lean-Burton Dildin
No wonder he had spoken of this tim
STRIPPING with disdain. Her though
required to her the next day. ASS
ting beside Dildine, in his high rig. b
hind spirited horses-they whirlt
southwark on Michigan avenue.
Aren't we going rather fast?" 81
asked.
He looked down upon her with eyes
tender reproach.
YOU" significantly, "are not afra
with me?"
81 am never afraid" she returne
''but don't like the thought of takil
unnecessary risks. Surprising SON
thing should break"
Even so-you could trust me-
declared. contidentlv