The Farmington times and herald. (Farmington, St. Francois Co., Mo.) 1902-1905, 1903-11-19
Cracia's Choice
BY
HOWARD DEVINE
Copyright, 1905. by Daily Story Pub. Col

ing. Truth be told. she had noteXpected
1t would come SO Dramatically and IN
way to call for So decisive an answer
She knew that both boys were desper-
ately in love with her, and that the
declaration was only matter oil Tune;
but how M the name OF prophecy was
she to guess that events would sol shape
themselves that she would receive both
declarations at once and be compelled
to deliver her answer in the presence OF
both su!tors.
But that was Just the way it did hap
pen. II was just after graduation, ana
real life was about 10 begin Tor all
three. They had been great friends
all three of them-but both lads had
made no secret of their great admiration
Of the black-cyed jaguty little beauty,
md 1t had been evident for some time
hat the three COrnered friendship would
not last very long.
And on this muonirht evening, after
the graduation exercises had taken
place, each Of the lads had been eager
to see Gracia home. Each suspectirG The
Intentions of the other. had refused to
concedc the point, and, asa consequence,
both had walked home with her.
And there on the veIvcty lawn be-
fore the little white cottage where she
lived. the climax had come, David had
precipitated it-nayid with his level
gray eyes and square Jaw end sturdy
conscientious ways When It had be-
come evident that neither OF the young
men proposed 10 20 away and leave the
other chance to make his declaration,
David, having made up his mind to pro-
pose on that particular night, made a
stand and declared himself
q guess we all understand the stu
alton he said, in his quiet, determined
way - sought an opportunity to say
something to GracIa alone Evidently
Paul had the same thing in view lnas-
much as neither OF us will let the other
have the advantage Of first oppor-
tunity, We may rs well accept the situa-
ton and plead our suits In the open.
GraCia. what | wanted to see YOU for.
was to tell you that love you--you
know that alrcady-and to ask you to
wait for me TO get established in bust
ness, and then to marry me. This Is not
very sentimental way to propose to d
girl you love but II seems the only way
under the circumstances.
He paused and rlanced denantly N
Paul. The latters olive shin paled a
tribe. and his brown eyes took on the
interpretive expression 10 character
istic to them
And I. Gracia. wanted an opportunity
to say the same thing to you" he said
1T is hard to say just what want to say
under these circumstances. but If you
promise yourself 90 ne, there Is nothing
will not do to make you happy"
lie looked into her eyes with that con.
fidcnt, self poised expression which had
made him 80 lorcriul throughout his
school life.
A great red spot burned in either cheek
Of the girl. and her perpleXity showed
plainly in her wrinklcd brow, Sudden.
Iy she threw out hand to each of the
lads, impulsiycly.
oh. you do not know how honored
feel" she exclaimed II am going "a
say something awtully homeland SC
bad that it may make both of you hate
me; but as you have been honest with
me, and between yourselves, am going
to be equally honest with you. Ilikcyor
/ 81 Il a. 4 l.
awfully hard to choose between you
But am much more mercenary and cold.
booded than either of you believe or de.
serve. have lived all my life so far in
comparative poverty | love all the nice
things of the world. do not want love
in a cottage am tired OF cottages, any.
way. II you stlIl want me after wha
have said, and am going to say
will wait Ave years, and then | vii
marry the whichever of you can give
most abundantly the nice things Of tn,
world know how awfully bad II
sounds. but do not feel exactly a.
though was selling myself to mammon
because really | have thought IA Eroai
deal about both Of you, and do not know
how TO choose between you. SO we will
put It wholly on the ground Of materia
success-if you both are willing"
Agreed" responded Paul eagerly
without an Instant hesitation carrying
the hand he held to bis lips passionately
David looked long and earnestly into
the eyes Of the girl and still longer into
the shadows Of the lawn,
And you will be absolutely fair ant
honest in the matter, In all its phases? p
he said, finally.
Absolutely" she replied, her color
deepening.
And at the end o; five years from TO,
night, whichever Of us two brings you
the biggest income you will marry re.
gardless OF any other consideration o.
81 will" she replied.
Agreed" replied David. his great jaw
setting with that determination which
had been 80 often the precursor OF vic.
tory in the classroom and on the
campus
The next day the battle began IL
earnest. Neither of the young men hat
much OF start. so far as their parent.
were concerned, but both were we'll con.
nected As a consequence. both were OF
fered positions with the Imperial Insur
ance company at $50 per month to start
This was easily the greatest institution
of the town and offered the greatest pos.
slbilities for advancement. David ac-
cepted the offer quietly but promptly
Paul asked for week to figure 1t over
At the end of the week he went to the
Office Of the manager and thanked him
for the offer, but declined 1t, saying he
tad some other plans. The town wa,
aghast Positions with the Inlperia
were 80 eagerly sought and so highl!
priced by the young men Of the tow
that the idea of refusing one seemed al
most an evidence Of insanity-especlall!
when young man had powerful friends
on the board of directors and high In tn,
management. At the worst, II was III
job as there were never any radica
changes in the Imperial. The town pu
down a big black mark against Paul.
II ran along about year. durin,
which David made n record for himsel