Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1906-06-12
knockingOutaRival
fOrisina'.:

in college aud fellow athletes. We fought on inc same football team and had our photographs taken standing together iu ih.. costume we had wOrE on the gridiron. holding the pisskin in the hollow of my arm. Edgecombe married rich wO,nan and built splendid country place. He Invited me to visit him there in the warm season, and in the party, among others, was Miss Emma Keith. whom l desired {" win, and Winfield Larraway. who looked lipoli Miss Keith with the same langnishing eyes.
 Iarraway and l each knew of the others intentions and hated each other accordingly. There are women who two men al swords points on their ac count, but Miss Keith was not one of that kind. I and my rival both knew that any word spoken against tue other by either of us would render the speak CT contcnptb!e in her sight. We out wardly treated each other with studied pOiiteness.
 There was cottage on Edgecombe's premises that he had fitted up for lOuuging. Ii was luxurious summer house furnished with costly rugs. di vans and other such appropriate furni- ture. One morning l Str0lled down there and. going into room adorned witt, Edgecombe's college trophies and supplied with magazines, settled my self in ali easy chair to read. On the wall hung the photograph of Edge combe and myself in football costume.
 Hearing footstep and a rustic of skirts, not wishing to be interrupted in my reading I moved into an anteroom just as lady entered the one I had left. The door between the two rooms was opeil. ahl I saw Miss Keith go to the photograph. look at it long and steadily, give d pleasurable sigh and turn to the table on which rested the periodicals.
 Encouraged by what l had seen went in and joined her. We chatted. and I ventured to lead the way to giv ing her all inkling as to my feelings when 1 heard mans quick footstep. There was no impropriety iu our being there together. but l saw an anxious glance pass over Miss Keith's face and on the impulse stepped into an ante room. intending to pass out by side door. But 1 found there was 10 side door Before 1 could decide what to do Larraway entered aud told Miss Keith that he was going to the city for the day and would be happy to execute any commission she might have. Dur Ing his brief stay they chatted about the trophies. and i-aYraway expressed the most unbounded admiration for my physical proportions, also giving my menta! and moral endOwmcnts un stinted praise.
 knew perfectly well that he had seen both me and Miss Keith enter the sunmer house and that he had praised me for a purpose When l rejoined Miss Keith she was somewhat fus- tered and | could see that she mad been very much prepossessed with Lar raway's praise Of his rival
 .You are both fine fellows she said. and Mir Larraway especially has had an opportunity to show his nobility or character"
 .J am happy rU he eaassed with fim in such high praise" ! replied and changed the subject.
 I.arraway had scored one on me. and if l could not turn tho tide feared l should lose the prize. A few days lat CT I was knocking the balls about on the tennis court when he came out oh 10 the piazza. Miss Keith was sitting i'll dishabille at window, the shutters of which were closed, for thse' day was very hot. thinking that she was fnsssf- ble from the court. 1 invited Eafra- way. who had not seen her. to p1aE tennis. aud. putting him in q position where he could not refuss. without seeming to be disas',4ign2. nes relus'- taAtly consented.
 Now l had taken prizes at Wass7' games of tennis and W.tS then N cli'tht pion. Tile first ball I served itn'stS' on ,hc tip of I.arraway' nose
 Thpy,. f. saMethin" painful lH bellag thus h.t at auy time. but to ios sfTUs!' by a man one hates is too much fef aQN Indu -AAA NAAS
 that had been long accumulatsng it I.arraway's breast burst it's bonds ana was poured on my devoted head. HIS is moi q proper place to give eis ls.a g1,agc. which is not it, especially tat a lady. to hear I saw something White moving behind the window bli,lt1s aH'' knew that Miss Keith had departed S"' escape the unscemly vituperations tfss were loaded upon lne ealhy aITh' pized to Larraway, even otferFn& him my handkerchief to stot' th" rs'' flood that poured from his nose Ht ] turned on his heel and went to thr house, while I remained on tue co'lf' and since l did 1Ot care To be seer dancing myself gave vent to my feel 1 ings by dancing tue ball on my racket
 When next met Miss Keith l vea i tured a remark psaisin@ my rival !oi 1 his rare pa tienee. his kindly d'sDos
 tion. and was passing or to his ofiie'