The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1901-03-22
1.-TWO Birds"



~ 81 RS. MARCH and her only
IMl daughter Eva lived, with their
QUO one small maid servant, at the
Hurst and since the death of her hus-
band Mrs March had gone out 50 infre-
quentIy that her visitors had dwindled
down to three. Cecil Pellow came al
most daily. He was the only son Of Sir
Herbert Pellow, and the richest young
man III the neighbOrhood. Then there
was Miss Helen Wray, district visitor
and an inveterate gossip. Lastly, there
was Colonel Marion, who had been a
great friend of Mr.. Marchs, and who
called every Wednesday afternoon with
the regularity of a rent collector.
Although Cecil and Eva were not for
mally engaged it was practically under
stood that such was the case. Sir Her
bert placed no limit to his sons free
dom of action beyond expressing disap-
proval of early marriages; and Mrs.
March felt that the loss of Eva, at least
for a few years, would be more than
she, as a lonely widow, could bear.
Cecil was % and Eva not yet 10, so
there appeared to be no need for haste.
Colonel, l want your advice" said
Mrs. March one Wednesday afternoon.
"Miss Wray been at you againY'
"She has, and frankly there is reason
in what she says"
"First time" says the colonel tartly.
''Well, it seems that Cecil is much at
tracted by the daughter Of the man who
has just taken the Golden Dragon in
the village. OF course until he has
spoken plainly to Eva have no author
ity to interfere, but 1 am afraid that
he may feel so sure of his position witt
her that he may not hesitate lowell
to promote a Irritation with this new
arrival, to the discredit of us all"
what then do you wish?"
81 want him to make a formal pro
-posal."
why not ask his intentionsT
81 am sure of nothing but Eva's affec
ton for him. He may not really have
in his mind to marry"
"You mean a direct inquiry may driv'
him into the enemy's camp"
you put it very plainly" said Mrs
March, but that is what l mean"
pity there is no other young mai
you could play against him. Once lie
him see that Eva may become another
and shake his self-confidence the thin
would be done"
but Eva is too genuine to lend hel
4 49,, oTr Of fhq
kind. even if a rival could be found"
Not a bit of it." said the colonel. 81
she loves him and sees him going adrii
she will do as her moth-I mean a
any woman would under the circun
stances"
ANY sort of rival would do, then
Why, you, even, might play the part"
The colonel stroked his mustache an
smiled. He had been an admirer {
Mrs. March for number of years, bl
like Cecil had been content to let Il
time pass without expressing himse
clearly.
He smiled again more pleasantly
another thought occurred to him. "IV
birds with one stone. by Jove" he mu
INJURED to himself; then aloud, Il a
more than willing to make love to Ev
Mrs. March, if she will permit 1t fro
an old fogy such as / am. The on
thing to be feared is that Cecil ms
treat my rivalry as jest, and think 4
an elderly idiot unworthy Of notice"
Seriously, colonel, think an Alta
of jealousy would bring Cecil to t
point, and If not. the lack Of it wou
convince Eva tina. her young love
wasted. You may have to hear sol
remarks from outsiders, but there a
few young men who could face 70
rivalry without a qualm."
The colonel bowed.
II will take my share in the plot me
gladly. but l must make one cOnditi'
and that is that you say nothing Of it
Eva. 1t may perhaps be as well to
her believe me in sober earnest"
Mrs. March looked at her old frie
steadily for a few seconds. 1t cross
her mind that it was just possible
colonel might be foolish enough to IL
her daughter. But she dismissed
thought as an absurdity.
Il agree" she said, and as Eya's 70