The Randall County news. (Canyon City, Tex.) 1908-1926, 1910-05-06
The Rivals
By DOROTHEA HALE
Copyright. 1910. by-American Press
Association


the speaker. 1t came from between
the Stats Of window blind and be
longed to Diana Parker. a young lad,
member of the church at which tn,
curate officiated. A dozen yards dowr
the street a sash was thrown up JUS
as he passed and a face appeared al
the window
Good morning, Mr.. Meeks"
Good morning. Miss Dinsmore."
Pheasant morning"
Very"
Are you on your way to the hos
pital?"
NO; | am going TO see old Mrs. Wa
ters ! have heard she's very poorly
Dear me. and | haven't been to see
her If you don't mind waiting a few
minutes till | get on my hat I'll go
with you, am shamed at having
been so neglectful."
The curate waited. and Miss Diana
Parker watched.
We'll. II that doesn't beat any.
thing" she muttered. Its the brazen,
est plan to make catch l ever saw
What does she care for old Mrs Wa
ters?"
Mr.. Meeks went regularly on week
day mornings on a round OF char
liable visits and returned about the
same hour in the afternoon. The
next morning Miss Parker left her
portal hated, gloved and a parasol
in one hand and lady's bag in the
other. just as Mr.. Meeks was passing
why. Mr.. Meeks." she exclaimed
what are you doing out so early?"
"Oh, ! always begin my visits at
this hour"
Pm going visiting myself this morn
ing. was so impressed with your
remarks last Sunday evening about
our duties to the sick that | resolved
to turU over a new leaf Are you go
ing to the hospital?"
Not at once I'm first going TO q
poor woman whose husband has been
sent to Jail She's left to take care of
the children while he rests from la
bor."
By this time the speakers had pass
ed out of the hearing Of Miss Dins-
more, who. ready for walk, had stood
behind curtain at her window wait
ing for the curate to 60 by.
well, l declare" she exclaimed.
did any one ever see such effrontery?
wonder If he thinks the meeting ac-
cidental"
The strategy developed during the
next few months on the part Of the
young ladies was all screened behind
Stats or curtains. SO that the uncon-
scious clergyman never dreamed that
he was the point d'appui. as the gen
erals would call II, or under an emf.
lading fire. as the artillerists would
describe It, of two batteries. each bent
on moving him down. Miss Dins-
mores position being commanded by
her enemy. she was constantly seeing
the prize captured as he marched out
upon his pa ochial duties. Therefore.
having CO sin living block nearer
the church properly. she frequently
awaited herself of the more advanta-
geous position and carried off the Gu.
rate before 'e reached the home of her
rival
One morning Mr.. Meeks failed TO
pass down the street at the accustomed
hour. and later an ambulance bearing
trained nurse was seen going in the
direction Of his apartments. Each OF
the Young ladies who had been trying
to outwit the other IN order 10 catch
him was waiting at her window, and
each paled- For time he would be
removed from the Vaccinations OF
both Miss Dinsmore hurried out to
90 the rounds of the parishioners to
learn the news. Miss Parker, whose
tactics were holder, went straight to
the rectory and asked if any one was
i'll there Both young ladies learned
that Mr.. Meeks was Ill at his rooms
and would be taken during the day to
a hospital to be operated on for ap-
pendicitis.
AS soon as the curate was out OF
danger flowers poured In upon him.
mainly from the young ladies Of the
congregation. He was literally bonn
barded with roses. carnations. pansies
and violets. Miss Dinsmore sent an
anchor Of lilies. Miss Parker. adher-
ing TO her aggressive tactics. offered
a heart Of American Beauties.
Mr. Meeks recovered Again Miss
Parker watched every morning for
him TO resume his walks past her
house on his way TO his parochial du'
ties. Miss Dinsmore was thinking OF
stationing herself at her cousins win
dow In order to intercept him and offer
the first congratulations upon his re
covery.
At last the clergyman appeared. pale.
but even handsomer from his pallor
But. alas for the rivals, he was protect
ed from both-he was in the rector's
carriage.
The FIRST time the rivals got near him
was at a church sociable a young
woman with marks Of character in
her face. but of modest appearance,
was present there for the first time
She was recognized as the nurse who