River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1903-10-29
Gracia's Choice
By
HOWARD DEvINE
scopyright, 1903, By Daily story Pub. Co,

ing. truth De told, she nad nOleApeCUSu
it would come so dramatically and in
way to call for so decisive an answer.
She knew that both boys were despef-
ately in love with her, and that the
declaration was only matter of time;
but how in the name of prophecy was
she to guess that events would so shape
themselves that she would receive both
declarations at once and be compelled
to deliver her answer in the presence of
both suitors.
But that was just the way 1t did hap
pen. 1t was just after graduation, and
real life was about to begin for 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-eyed, jaunty little beauty,
and it had been evident for some time
that the three-cornered friendship would
not last very long.
And on this moonlight evening, after
the graduation exercises had taken
place, each of the lads had been eager
to see Gracia home. Each suspecting the
intentions of the other, had refused to
concede the point, and, as consequence,
both had walked home with her.
And there, on the velvety lawn be-
fore the little white cottage where she
lived, the climax had come. David had
precipitated ft-David with his level
gray eyes and square jaw and sturdy,
conscientious ways. When it had be-
come evident that neither of the young
men proposed to go 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.
81 guess we all understand the stu
ation,' he said, in his quiet, determined
way. 81 sought an opportunity to say
something to Gracia alone. Evidently
Paul had the same thing in view. mas
much as neither of us will let the other
have the advantage of first oppor-
tunity, we may as well accept the situa-
ton and plead our suits in the open.
Gracia, what / wanted to see you for,
was to tell you that I love you-you
know that already-and to ask you to
wait for me to get established in bust
ness, and then to marry me. This is not
a very sentimental way to propose to a
girl you love, but it seems the only way
under the circumstances"
He paused and glanced Clefiantly at
Paul. The latter's olive skin paled a
trifle, and his brown eyes took on the
interpretive expression SO character
istic to them.
"And l, Gracia, wanted an opportunity
to say the same thing to you" he said.
1T is hard to say just what l want to say
under these circumstances, but if you
promise yourself to me, there is nothing
l will not do to make you happy"
He looked into her eyes with that con-
fident, self-poised expression which had
made him so forceful throughout his
school life.
A great red spot burned in either cheek
of the girl, and her perplexity showed
plainly in her wrinkled brow. Sudden
ly she threw out hand to each of the
lads, impulsively.
ooh, you do not know how honored
feel" she exclaimed. II am going to
say something awfully honest-and so
bad that it may make both of you hate
me, and between yourselves, am going
to be equally honest with you. like you
both, you know that; and it would be
awfully hard to choose between you.
But am much more mercenary and cold
blooded 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
/ have said, and am going to say,
/ will wait five years, and then l will
marry the whichever of you can give
most abundantly the nice things of the
world. | know how awfully bad it
sounds, but l do not feel exactly as
though was selling myself to mammon,
because really l have thought a great
deal about both of you, and l do not know
how to choose between you. So we will
put it wholly on the ground of material
success-if you both are willing"
Agreed" responded Paul, eagerly,
without an instant's hesitation, carrying
the hand he held to his 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 and
honest in the matter, in all its phases?'
he said, finally.
Absolutely" she replied, her color
deepening.
'And at the end OF five years from to-
night, whichever of us two brings you
the biggest income you will marry re-
gardless of any other consideration? ?"
II will" she replied.
Agreed, replied David, his great jaw
setting with that determination which
had been so often the precursor of vic
tori in the classroom and on the
campus.
The next day the battle began in
earnest. Neither of the young men had
much of a start, so far as their parents
were concerned, but both were well 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
sibilities for advancement. David ac-
cepted the offer quietly but promptly.
Paul asked for week to figure it over
At the end of the week he went to the
office of the manager and thanked him
for the offer, but declined it, saying he
had some other plans. The town was
aghast Positions with the Imperial