The Newark journal., 1908-07-31

the seXton-to raise or lower it's thumbs upon the combatants.
 When the beaedietion had been said Seffy hastened out and found himself place-ci0se t0 the door according to his fathers word-in one of the lines of young men which stretched on either side of the path from the church door to the road beyond, at least a quarter of mile. But he did not see Sam. Some one pushed in front of him. And instead of com batting for his position, he yielded it and found one further down, still seek ing the location of his rival. He was crwded from this one. too, and he let 1t go and sought another one because he had not seen Sam. And it was nee essary to his fathers scheme he re- membered, that Sam and he should be about opposite. Of course, all this was error His place was right by the church door That was where Sally had a right to expect to find him. It had become a public matter, too. The public had it's rights. It expected him there, even if he had to shed the blood of noses to stay there This had often happened But he was bewildered in the contradictory courses advised by his father, and finally, seeking that which seemed best. found that which was worst. Dull Seffy!
 He at last discovered Sam and found a lodgment for himself opposite and away down near the gate, where only the married men were-such as still waited for their wives-who ami ably smoked until they came along. No unmarried maiden ever expects to be matched there And, had Sefy been as wise as he was not. he would not have halted there. But he was deluded by Sam There he was in the opposite line. the wrong one, indif ferenuy chatting, and even smoking. with Hilary Gfo4-a married man. Seffy was now so sure of his conquest, that Sans indifference yexed him. Ey. idently he did not mean to contend with him for Saliy's arm, and it was to be a cheap and bioodless victory. For Seny was one of those Who grow brave as opposition diminishes.
 And now they were slowly coming down-the maidens running the gaat- let of love. o-three-four- fiye-a dozen happy matings were made Seffy was counting. One poor chap was sacked. He crushed his hat over his eyes and charged back through the lines and across the fields no matter where. And then came Sally.-in a trim little hat with fut- tering ribbon that locked for all the world like the white signal, bearing straight down upon him. But there was something in her eyes-expectant i -militant--that made them starry. On i she came with her head in the air locking neither to the right nor to the 1 left, as if she expected to walk home | alone, nearly three miles!
 "Oh, no, thought Seffy-and Sam. i
 But bit of terror smote her face | pale when she had passed the door showed more and more as she went on. Some one laughed-then there was an unmistakable litter along the line Still Sally passed on, keep ing her temper as never before. Was not the old man right about the effect of laughter?
 But now the temper loosed itself | face was scarlet She had ! nearly reached the married men. Some | one whispered:
 Gosh. He's gitting even by sacking | ler,"
 This was repeated There was more i laughter and more tittering. The | crowd deserted the lines nearest the | church and followed Sally down on i either side in huge tumultuous pha lanxes to see what would happen-if it were possible that she would have to go home alone. Several young men who had never dared to approach her began to think of it, They knew that rather than not be taken at all she would take any one of them, There was more tumult now than laughter, And Sally's face grew so white that her eyes blazed like stars in the midst of it.
 Seffy Quailed. He recognized the temper-only he had never seen it as terrible as this He had forgotten Sam It was only Sally he saw, as one sees with fear-stalled nerves the locomotive as it leaps upon him.
 And the onlookers, crowding at the sides, thought it a great and terrible hand to hand battle-to wait that way till the last moment and then to spring like tigers-or a piece of tremendous foolishness.
 Both of you must be absolute sure" said Hilary Croft to Sam, or absolute fools. Amt you got no pity on the
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