Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1901-11-01
Don and Dan.

~ ently-Don for his quiet devotion;
" Dan for his brainy achievements.
She had tried hard to decide between
them, but her heart had failed her COM
pletely.
They had both proposed, but SO diff
ferently. Yet neither failed in his ef-
forts to show himself the true lover.
Don was decidedly clever as an artist,
while one could see at a glance that
Dan would not be long in making his
mark in the world. So there was re-
ally no apparent choice for the poor
girl. She had weighed them carefully
In the matrimonial scale, but they both
balanced at love, and she was at her
wits ends.
Don had called several times Of late,
only to find Dan comfortably seated on
the sofa beside Sue. After stammer-
Ing different excuses on the various oc-
:. casions, he made hasty exits, often
hearing Dan break forth into peals of
! laughter. Sue was silent through it all.
Never letter inviting Don to call on
certain evening, SO he decided that Dan
spent all his spare moments with Sue.
If it were thus, surely Dan was the
favorite, so Don relieved his aching
heart by devoting all his spare mo-
ments to painting beautiful canvas of
Sues head-for old times sake So
Don's visits became less frequent, and
Dan felt confident of a bride, until, one
day, something strange happened, as
o1r do in, off fof,
Twas a perfect day that found Dan
and Sue enjoying a horseback ride
along the speedway. Sue looked the
very acme of grace and poise in her
riding habit, and Dan could not crowd
down the conceit that rose in his breast
when he thought how he had won her
away from all rivals, especially Don.
Then he began arguing to himself that
there were good reasons for it. He was
better looking. He moved in smarter
setset. He was more popular. So with
an overstock of self-pride, he rode be-
side Sue with what might be termed,
in slang, an enlargement of the hat
band.
ALI the while that Dan was picturing
his better points on the relief, Sue was
thinking Of Don. Surely what had be-
come of the boy? He had not been at
her house in over week. Nor had he
sent single word Of excuse, and she,
in the whirl Of her numerous social du-
ties, had neglected to write him. She
was slightly worried about the state of
affairs, although she would not admit
it to her conscience-that seemed an
noyed of late-so tried in vain to crowd
it out of her busy little brain.
There was sudden click Of steel, a
quick jerk that threw Dan from his
saddle, and his horse was off like q
wild beast, clearing everything before
it. Dan was bravely clinging to the
stirrup strap, but it was terrible posi-
ton; only a question of seconds when
his strength would fail him; then he
would be dragged to death. All efforts
to stop the horse seemed to enrage him
the more. .+
Sue sat in the saddle like one petrifed
with fear. She was powerless to move
Suddenly, almost as soon as the horse
started, cyclist whizzed by. It was
Don On, on, he flew, until abreast Of
the mad horse. One final burst of speed
and the wheel crossed the horses track
Don rose on his pedals, grasped tht
curb bit and threw himself on tn,
horses neck. Twas an 8crobatic fea
fit for a circus. AS he did so Dams hol(
on the strap relaxed, he fell backward
Avo oil fho IL
Don brought the nervous steed to
standstill. 1t was a brave deed from
start to finish and Don came out with
out scratch, but minus a wheel.
AS Don was being complimented OF
all sides, Sue came. into view, dismount
ed and elbowed her way through tn
crowd, leaving her horse in charge o
out word and shook it warmly, thel
stopped to examine Dan. He was un
conscious and needed medical aid
Handkerchiefs, cold water, a few flask
and various other things were freel
offered by the sympathizing crowd, an,
all were intent on reviying Dan, whe
the sharp clang Of the ambulance bel
dispersed them.
Dan was carefully slowed away Il
the ambulance, while Don mounted th
front seat, after promising to call O.
Sue that evening.
The front doorbell rang She rushe
to the door and threw it open. Do
stepped over the threshold and foun
himself in the arms of Sue.
"Oh, you dear, brave soul-'twas jus
like you"
"Oh, twas nothing" stammered Do1
81 knew you loved him, and I hated t
see your happiness In this life die b,
fore your very eyes,"
Love him? Nothing of the sort.
love you"
'SueY'
A lump came into his throat and teal
into his eyes. He kissed her-such
glad kiss.
Six weeks lassr Dan went south, NJ