The Wilmington daily Republican., 1901-12-02
RIVALS. THREE
By ELIZABETH CHERRY WALTZ.
Copyright, 1901, by Authors syndicate.)

A FTER coming to Redwood. Par.
n son Wentworth had had to en-
dure as best he could the attentions
of several unmarried ladies of the
parish. These Attentions took shape
on the evening of his arrival
He found n beautiful table laid
in the dining-room, adorned with
precious bits of silver and china and
odorous with flowers. A particularly
beautiful vase bore card announcing
that the supper was "the compliment
of Miss Sophrona Nesbitt." The par
son ate the supper without thought of
the donor save that it was most deli
cate welcome. but stood aghast when
he entered his bedroom and found it
likewise adorned with flowers, the
snowy bed turned bac ok invitingly, mon
ogrammed towels and even befrilled
night garment conspicuous III its po-
stion. The pincushion, an elaborate
affair in dotted Swiss and lace over
in pins: "Welcome, dear brother!"
and in 'front.' Of very rampant water
color in gilded frame over the Ipantei
was another card announcing that
Miss Celia Smickler had prepared this
room with her best "complimen
Descending the stairs, he found the
small parlor or study had been like
wise furnished and adorned by Miss
Julia Bowles, from embroidered foot
rest and tides to lava smoking set,
which made the parson stare.
"How did she know about my fter-
supper cigar?" he wondered. 1t was
his one weakness.
Alfaretta, the middle-aged help in
the kitchen, afforded the parson no lit
tie consolation. She was evidently on
the side of celibacy, and she shifted
contemptuously over the onslaughts of
the three maiden ladies.
II doubt If you can hold out, SIR
she said, grimly, few days later.
miss Celv was here this morning, and
the sewing circle is going to begin on
dozen fine shirts for you this after
noon. You're we'll tekkin' care Of
too well, I'm thinkin' It's no use for
me to say anything. This parish owns
this ERE house, and I'm jest an humble
instrument in their hands"
Rev. Alpheus Wentworth was tall
and good-looking. He had not arrived
at the age of 35 without succumbing to
matrimony. A brief romance and
briefer welded life had saddened his
life--but that was ten years ago, and
now-so the parish said-he should
take another wife. From the first in
timation of his coming the parish
snit'cd the battle from afar. There
were three maidens in Redwood eli
gible and willing to become the wife
of the new parson. By the time he ar
rived the battle was on and Redwood
was rapturous over new sensation.
The rivalry was so open and mani
fest that the parish families began to
take sides. In the invitations to sup
per and even in outlying places for
over Sunday that at once crowded in
on Rev. Alpheus. the parish prefer
ences were plainly shown. At some
houses Miss Julia Bowles, dark and
earnest, supposed to be literary and
decidedly superior, was asked to meet
him. At other houses Miss Sophronia's
adherents gave her the seat next to
him at supper and slyly praised her
industry and cooking. Miss Celia
smickley had fewer relatives and thus
fewer opportunities, but she made up
for it by being four Or five years
younger, and was said to be more
worldly.
The actual arena might well be said
to be the sewing society, where the
rival factions met Over the dozen fine
shirts there was something like open
warfare. but Miss Sophronia created
a most intense excitement in the meet
ing when they were finished by NOV
ing that dozen new sheets and sets
of pillow cases be made at the next
meeting for the parsonage. Miss So
phrona's faction had been much de-
pressed by the shirt movement, but
their spirits arose in this affair. Mrs.
Peter Nesbtt, her aunt, moved to in
clude another tablecloth and dozen
napkins.
"That will shut out the Bowleses,"
she whispered to her sister-in-law.
"They are so great on table linen
knew they were going to move table
cloth or napkins"
1t was certainly the turn of the
Bowles party to do something supe-
rior. In the meantime ParSon Alpheus
had spent Sunday with Judge Bow'es
at Maple Side; had taken tea with Miss
Celia's aunt and attended family din
ncr at DR.. Nesbitt's. He had gone on
his way without displaying any pref
crences; indeed, he modestly talked
to the married women and avoided fe-
male society. From the three candi-
dates he fairly ran, and it was said that
Alfaretta aided and abetted him in sew
eral fights down a rear lane.
But the change from busy city par.
ish on account Of his health was try
ing to the parson. His leisure was irk-
some. He was unutterably lonesome
without that constant press and hurry