The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1909-06-12
By 0. ELLSWORTH YOUHANS

lcOpyrlght. by paiIY storY Pub. coI

we're SoOu friends, that Is, as long
as the love qnss:ica vas not men.
toned. When 1t came to that then
there was something doing, as they
both unfortunately loved the same
girl. Everybody in Belleyille knew
OF It, and everybody gathered much
enjoyment from the same.
The least concerned seemed to be
Eva Tallman herself. She seemed
to favor one as much as the other,
and generally tried to arrange mat
tiers satisfactorily to both.
While the two young men had al
ways regarded the affair as a joke in
public, they were always resorting to
tricks and other things In order to
put the other In an unfavorable light
with the fair Eva. 1t was a standing
question what the rivals would do
next.
Mr.. Tallman did not interfere, and
there was no telling how he stood in
the matter. He watched things from
a distance and let the merry war 60
on, probably thinking his daughter
would finally marry someone else with
more sense than either Of them.
The young men stood in we'll with
the people Of Belleville. Their only
regret was that when the end came,
they would miss the fun.
One morning the people woke up to
learn that Higgins was drowned. He
had announced the day before that
he was going fishing. AS he never
came back the rumor got started.
Then his rival, John Clark, made the
announcement that he had found his
clothes on the river bank. That set
tied 1t. Poor Higgins must be dead.
Meanwhile Higgins was having a
little experience Of his own. He had
gone fishing. and had gone some dis
lance down the river where he knew
the fishing was good. He had had
good luck, and was thinking Of re-
turning home, when he decided to
take a swim. AS It was warm wealth.
er, a dip would do him good. More
over, 1t was a lonesome spot, and he
felt sure Of not being disturbed. Has
tily disrobing, he put his clothes IN
4 neat pile on shore, and was soor
iisporting himself in the water.
For more than half an hour he en-
loyed himself. giving little heed Il
things on shore. He was about Il
come out when his eye happened Il
rest upon the spot where he had lef
his clothes. Horrors! They wer,
yonel Desperately he reached thu
shore, only to find his worst fear
realized. Not a stitch Of his cloth
ng remained. What was he to do
He couldn't go home IN his presen
condition, neither could he remain
here.
AS II was nearly sunset, a chill
swept over him. He couldn't remain
here, but where could he goi AS h
vas debating the question he hear,
he chug-chug Of an automobile con
ng along the road. He must concea
himself somewhere! Darling acros
he road, he hid behind some bushes
He was not an instant too soon. A
auto rounded a bend In the roaC
and with a few spasmodic gasp
came to a stop at the very spot b
nad so lately occupied. A young lad
and q young man sprang out, an
slowly made their way down to th
liver. Spying Higgins boat the
seated themselves and began an ear
est conversation.
Higgins watched them from b
place of concealment. He was no
shivering as II he had seven cas'
Of ague at once. His teeth chattert
and a nor miserable human beir
would have been hard to find.
Suddenly his face frightened. WI
: not take the auto and go home an
get some clothes? He could east
run Il. The man had left his aut
mobile coat on the seat. He cou'
easily enter by the door opposii
; from where the people sat. Once |
J side the car, all would be well. An
thing was betterthan remaining Their
Creeping stealthily across the roa
} he reached the auto. Seizlng Il
. coat. he quickly put 1t on. The
. umping in, he pulled the lever ar
re auto started forward. He WI
.imly conscious Of yells behind hir
but he did not stop. His n obje
was to get home and get some clothe
Explanations could follow later.
Now the road he vas on pass'
through another town about ten mill
from Relleville. But Higgins didr
care about that. He could east
reach his home. SO he put on II
: reed and kept on, He ~congratul'
; I'd himself upon bis lucky escape fro
lis embarrassing position.
As be was about half way throui
he town. something went wroT
with the machinery. and the c.
stopned This was a problem he hi
not reckoned on. How could he 8
out 10 fix the machine when he had
no shoesg To make matters worse.
crowd soon collected. Among the
was n poIiceman. He seemed puzzle
ri,st he looked at the number OF q
; ear. then be looked at Higgins. Th'
he scratched his head doubtful
rgnoilx he said.