Coeur d'Alene evening press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1907-1929, 1909-04-27
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Candle Oerf

By ?. A. michel.

working for Farmer Bathgate We
went to him when the crops were
ready 10 be taken In, and he liked Us
30 wen that when the harvest was
over be concluded 10 keep az for every.
day work during the winter. In the
summer Ruth Bathgate, his daughter,
used 70 bring ~ out cool drinks, and
we two young men soon became anx-
ious for some sign Of preference not
that either Of IN had any intentions
toward her; IL was just an ordinary
rivalry. But Ruth was mighty particu-
lar not TO make the slightest differ
ence between ua.
WheH the autumn came on. the fod-
der was In shock, tho weather getting
cold, and tho logs were blazing on the
hearth, the farmer and bis family and
Josh and / used TO sit around the
blaze, talking and telling yarns. That
was q happy winter for both Josh and
me. We didn't either OF ms suspect
that we were both dead gone on Ruth,
nor did we foresee what was to hap
pen 10 break up our pleasant circle.
That's the trouble with pleasant times
there's always something that makes
them pleasant, and, ten 10 one, It's the
very thing 10 break up the pleasure.
Since II In all over know that what
made our enjoyment 20 keen was Ruth,
and Il was Ruth that spoiled II ALL
not Intentionally. f0F, an l said. she ia.
vored neither OF ua. She couldn't have
kept us two fellows from gradually
falling In love with her II she had
wanted TO,
At first Josh and ! used to speak
about little occurrences concerning her
with perfect freedom. Then we ceased
% nay anything 70 each other that In.
viewed any relation with her. and Anal
~ we never mentioned her A year
passed. the pleaaantcst I have ever
known. and when we'd filied the barns
and there was little 10 do one day Josh
said 10 me-
There's something I want 10 say TO
you. fsen. The harvest II ended, and II
doesn't seem Just right for two strap
ping fellows like as 10 put Farmer
Bathgate 20 the expense Of keeping us
all winter. There's enough for one TO
DO, but not enough for two. It's my
opinion he'd let one OF us 80, but
doesn't like TO decide between M.
What do you say 20 playing q game Of
seven up 70 settle which shall get
outY'
II reckon there's something In what
you say. JOSH" replied in rs melan-
choly q tone as hts. Hes treated US
mighty well, and we ought TO relieve
him o. the responsibility Of sending on
one of us. And you and I. too, have
been square 10 each other. don't ex-
actIy like your plan Of playing a game
20 iind out which shall 50. for one
might have more skill than the other.
I think we'd better let something else
than cards decide between us. Mira.
Bathaate was making candles this
morning. Now. what DO you say to
youF choosing a candle and choosing
one out Of the same mold and lighting
them at the same timef The one whose
candle goes out first Il to SO"
II think that would Be coed way
to settle Il"
We were In our room at the time
we occupied q room toaether-and |
was going out TO get the candles when
I met Ruth 81 the door.
1--WE heard what you two have been
saying" she said. through the parti-
ton. and you're right. Father doesn't
need but ono extra hand this winter,
but he won't send away either Of you,
III 70 down and got the candles and
light them for you"
We were both nightly pleased to
have her do thls and waited patiently
till she came back with tho candles.
"would you choose for usf' we both
said at the same moment,
III you wish me TO-"
Placing q candle before each OF a.,
abe scratched a match In each hand
and lighted them az the same moment
Then she left the room without =
glance &C either Of rs. The candles
were short and would burn out In be-
tween one and two hours. josh ana I
played . coed many games Of seven
up. occasionally glaneing &C the can
dlea with apparent unconcern. but real
u with suppressed suspense, II was
not AN they had burned down 10 with
On an inch Of the socket that I noticed
a difference. Then l saw that my can
die was burning the slower. when
Joah'a began 10 flicker there was stili
three etghtha Of an inch Of mine left
lie blew Il cut and turned away %
conceal his feelings. expected Ruth
90 shew enou4h interest In which 0g
IN was 70 remain. to ash before going
TO sleep. but che didn't. "well.a I said
to myself, 1T doesn't make any diner
enes. after al. which goes frSe. Wen
beth 60 aoon enough she doesn.t want
either Of u.s.
Tue next aAy Iosh tola the farmer
that hs thought he'd loek for weFk h
tn city and left a.. He had No sooner
gone than Ruth began to heatew apea
mn little attentions This was quite
enoagh 10 induce me 10 shew my feel.
ln9a. and met with every encourage
ment In less than q meath after
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