Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1906-09-26
Knocking utaRival
Original

together In the costume we had worn
on the gridiron. holding tn. psEssln
In the hollow OF my arm. Edgecomhe
married rich woman and built a
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 ! desired 10
win, and Winfield Larraway. who
looked upon Miss Keith with the same
IanEuishing eyes.
Larraway and each knew Of the
others intentions and hated each other
accordingly. There are women who
would like nothing better than to nut
two men at swords points on their nc.
cOnnt. but Miss Keith was not one of
that kind. ! and my rival both knew
that any word spoken against the other
by either Of us would render the speak.
or contemplate In her sight. We out
warsily treated each other with studied
pollteness.
There was cottage on Edgecombe's
premises that he had fitted up for
lounging II was luxurious summer
house furnished with costly rugs. d.
vans and other such appropriate furni-
turc. one morning strolled down
there aud. going into a room adorned
with Edgecombes college trophies aud
supplied with magazines. settled my.
self In an 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 | moved into an anteroons
just as lady entered the one bad
left The door between the two rooms
was open. and saw Miss Keith 90 TO
the photograph. look at IL long and
steadily. give pleasurable sigh and
turn to the table on which rested the
periodicals.
Encouraged by what had seen /
went In and joined her. We ehatted.
and veutured to lead the way TO Civ
ing her an inkllng as TO my feelings
when ] heard mans quick footstep.
There was no improperly In our being
there together. but ] saw an anxious
glance pass over Miss KeIth's face aud
ON the impulse stepped Into an ante
room. intending to pass out by a side
door. But found there was no side
door. Before | could decide what to
do LARA way entered and told Miss
Keith that be was going to the city for
the day aud would be happy TO execute
any commission she might have. Dur
Ing his brief stay they chatted about
tie trophies. and I.arraway expressed
the most unbounded admiration for
my physical proportions. also giving
my mental and moral endowments un-
stinted praise.
| knew perfectly well that be had
seen both me and Miss Keith enter the
summer house and that he had praised
inc for purpose. When ! reioiGcd
Miss Keith she was somewhat Hus-
tered. and | could sec that she bad
been very much prepossessed with Lar
raways praise OF his rival.
You are both ilne fellows" she said.
"and Mr.. Larraway especially has had
an opportunity TO show his nobility OF
character
Il am happy to be ciassed with him
In such high praise" l replied and
changed the subject.
LARA way had scored one on me. and
II could not turn the tide feared
er | was knocking the balls about on
the tennis court when he came out on TO
the piazza. Miss Keith was sitting In
dishabille at window, the shutters OF
which were closed. for the day was
very hot. thinking that she was invlsl-
BILE from the court. I invited Larrst-
way. who had not seen her, to play
tennis, and. putting him in position
where he could not refuse without
seeming to be disobligIng. he relnc-
family consented.
Now I had taken prizes at match
games of tennis and was then a cham
plon. The first ball / served landed
on the tip OF Iarraway's nose.
There Is something painful In being
thus hit at any time. but to be struck
by n man one hates 10 too much for
any mans equanimlty. All the venom
that had been long accommodating In
Larraway's breast burst Its bonds and
was poured on my devoted head This
Is not proper place TO give his Ian
euage, which is not lit. especially for
a lady. 10 hear. saw something white
moving behind the window blinds aud
knew that Miss Keith had departed to
escape the unseemly vituperations that
Were loaded upon me. | calmly apolo-
gized to Larraway. even Offering
him my handkerchief to stop the red
food that poured from his nose. He
turned on his heel and went to the
house. while | remained on the court.
and since | did not care TO be seen
dancing myself | gave vent TO my feel
ings by dancing the ball on my racket.
When next ! met Miss Keith ven
tured a remark praising my rival for
bis rare patience, his kindly -disposl-
ton. and was passing on TO hts other
adorable traits when she put her hands
10 her ears. | asked Ia affected sur
prise II | had offended her. but knew