The White Pine news. [volume] (Treasure City, Nev.) 1868-1906, 1901-03-21
"TWO Birds
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.

| lNHI daughter Eva llfeu, win 'Hei
QUIZ one small maid servant, at the
Hurst, and since the death OF her nus
band Mrs. March had gone out SO infre'
auently that her visitors had dwindled
down to three. Cecil Pellow came al
most daily. He was the only son Of Slr
Herbert Fellow, and the richest young
man in the nelghborhood. Then there
was Miss Helen Wray, a district visitor
and an lnyeterate gossip Lastly, there
was Colonel Marion, who had been a
great friend of Mr.. March's, and who
called every Wednesday afternoon with
the regularity of a rent collector.
Although Cecil and Eva were not for
mally engaged 1t 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-
prevail of early marriages; and MIS-
March felt that the loss Of Eva, at least
for 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 againP
"She has, and frankly there is reason
in what she says"
"First time" says the colonel, tartly.
well, 1t 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
lty to interfere, but l am afraid that
he may feel so sure of his position with
her that he may not hesitate lowell,
to promote Irritation with this new
arrival, TO the discredit of us ALL"
'What then do you wish"
81 want him to make formal pro-
posal."
"Why not ask his intentions?"
Il am sure of nothing but Eva's affec-
ton for him. He may not really have 1t
in his mind to marry"
You mean direct inquiry may drive
him into the enemy's camp"
You put 1t very plainly" said Mrs.
March, but that is what mean"
"Pity there is no other young man
you could play against him. Once let
him see that Eva may become another's
and shake his self-confidence the thing
would be done"
But Eva is too genuine to lend her.
20 haa ri nh . Iaf
kind, even IL rival could be found"
mot bit of It," said the colonel. Tf
she loves him and sees him going adrift
she will do as her moth-I mean as
any woman would under the circum-
stances"
ANY sort of rival would do, then?
Why, you, even, might play the part"
The colonel stroked his mustache and
smiled. He had been an admirer of
Mrs. March for a number of years, but
like Cecil had been content to let the
time pass without expressing himself
clearly.
He smiled again more pleasantly as
another thought occurred to him. 1.-TWO
birds with one stone, by Jove!' he muir
INJURED to himself; then aloud, At am
more than willing to make love to Eva,
Mrs. March, IL she will permit 1t from
an old fogy such as l am. The only
thing to be feared is that Cecil may
treat my rivalry as jest, and think me
an elderly Idiot unworthy of notice"
Seriously, colonel, think an attack
of jealousy would bring Cecil to the
point, and II not, the lack of 1t would
convince Eva that her young love Is
wasted. You may have to hear some
remarks from outsiders. but there are
few young men who could face your
rivalry without a qualm."
The colonel bowed.
al will take my share In the plot mos
gladly, but l must make one condition
and that is that you say nothing of 1t t
Eva. 1t may perhaps be as well to lie
her believe me In sober earnest"
Mrs. March looked at her old frient
steadily for few seconds. 1t crossed
her mind that it was just possible tn,
colonel might be foolish enough to Low,
her daughter. But she dismissed tn,
thought as an absurdlty.
II agree" she said, and as Eva's foot
step was heard approaching, the pla.
begins" she added.
EVA, I have been speaking to you
| mother about matter which concern
your welfare and my own. Tell me
dear, do | seem to you to be a very oil
man?" said the colonel.
"N-no." said Eva, regarding hin
critically. II don't think you are.
seem to have known you all my life
lust as have Cecil. feel sometime
as IL had grown past him, he seem
SO boylsh. but you always understand
me, don't you?" she replied, rather in
consequently. her mother thought.
II think So" he answered, gently, an
there was so much meaning In the ton
that Mrs. March looked up quickly wit
suspicion In her glance. Eva brightene
considerably during the meal, for tn
colonel surpassed hhAself and aston
ished Mrs. March by his sudden acces
of Youthful vigor and cheerfulness.
For two or three weeks the colons
made a point of visiting the Hurs
daily. and Eva had a most enjoyabl
| time. for he took her for rides an
drives, to plcnics and concerts. shows
sports and races. Just at first Gee
was too bad tempered to interfere, br
one day he met the colonel going up