The Forrest City times., 1900-11-16
Two Lovers of Lila

don, her fathers private secretary, who had been sent to bring her home the day she graduated. Like a true woman the opinion of other women influenced her.
 He isn't really handsome" her companion had declared He is too angular-and just 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 a poet"
 For Max Clarendon had published some really remarkable verse in the leading magazines. 70, 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, Lilai"
 But Lila only laughed, and said that all this talk was nonsense. She de- clared she was 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 fa- ther, and that it would be many year before she left him for-anyone.
 Nevertheless, in the year that fol- lowed, and the next, she found her self forced to consider the assiduites of her ardent if repressed 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 entrancing literary labors. And he did not pay her the pro- nounced and open homage of Dildine, who besieged her with invitations and bombarded her with flowers.
 But when they met by chance there was a sudden lightning flash in his dreamy eyes, swift compression of the sensitive, beardless lips, quick irradiation of countenance which be- trayed the ecstatic thrill the mere sight of her had given him. "That secretary of your fathers is a queer chap" remarked Dildine one day Some late verses of Clarendon's had been hugely praised by the critics and he was absurdly irritated thereat. "I 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 a cable car, and was horribly injured. 'Pon my word Clarendon went white as a ghost. thought he would have tainted. He's a good bit of a coward, I take it.''
 A coward! The term ranked in the girls mind. It unconsciously infiu- enced her, as had the remark of her nearest friend. She had all wom- ans admiration of bravery. The great man was to her the man of herois.A-- of daring.
 When that evening Max Clarendon brought her little gift she was per haps less pleased by the offering than
  ther's partner had reflected upon his courage. The gift was slim volume of verse, written by brilliant and un- happy poet of the Pacific coast-a man whose self-inficted death was only less sad than his life. She had expressed a desire to read the poems. Max was quite exhilarated at having secured such an exquisite edition.
 You will find many lines as delight full as those I quoted" he assured her. "I know you will appreciate the pathos-the beauty of his work!"
 Thank you" she said, trifie coldiy, "you are good. Pray do not exert your self again to humor my fancies."
 The glow and light went out of his face. He staid but a short time, mur- mured a few perfunctory words of leave-taking, and went away with . manner which seemed sullen, but was merely the cloak of despair.
 And Lila-stting with slim, idle hands clasped behind her head-remem- bering the remorse she strove to stifle, the pained look upon his countenance, saw before her as plainly as though in the flesh those two lovers of hers. One so slender, grave, reticent, unassertive the other so strong, massive, florid, powerful. What a man to have for a life defender-for a pillar of granite upon which to lean-Burton Dildine. No wonder he had spoken of this timid stripling with disdain. Her thoughts recurred to her the next day, as-sit- ting beside Dildine, in his high rig, be- hnd spirited horses-they whirled southward on Michigan avenue.
 Aren't we going rather fast?" she asked.
 lie looked down upon her with eyes of tender reproaeh.
 iou,' significantly, "are not afraid with me?"
 ., | am never afraid" she returned,
 out don't like the thought of taking unnecessary risks. Supposing some 'hlhg should break!"