Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1910-03-19
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A Triangular
COurtship
The Ending Was n Surprise
to Those Who Lost.
BY cLARISSA MAcKIE.
---r@
Copyright. 1910. by American Press
Association.

BY cLARIssA MAcKIE.

Its against the rules for less'n two
men TO stand by the light. as you both
well know" said .he keeper sternly.
Il don't see why it's necessary for
the two of you TO go counting on the
same night. Besides, forgot to say
wanted TO be away myself tonight"
You promised that | should have
tonight on expostulated Ebcn Gall.
You said | should have every We'd
nesday night off. have Il lady
friend His voice trallcd into signiii-
cant silence.
II have lady friend. too" cut In
Caleb Brown angrily. II spoke TO
Captain Peter about II this very morn
ing ! says TO him. ! says, My lady
friend II be looking for me most par
ticular tonight. and ! can't disappoint
no lady And you said as how
could bc off for the evening" He
scowled across the table at his fellow
worker. aud Ebcn Gail frowncd back
quite as fiercely.
Great fury. You can both 60, and
good luck to your counting"
Maybe we could get the parson TO
come over and set SPELL" they chant
cd shecpishly
Maybe notbing!" snapped Captain
Peter. rising noisily from his chair and
leaving the room.
That night after the lamp was duly
lighted and its beam had sent a long
ray across tue water the engine re-
ceived It's last attention from the as
sistant keepers. In sullcn silence they
washed up the supper dishes. and then
each. dressed In his best clothes and
with hair plastcred wet on his brown
forehead. went down into the boat
that was 10 take them ashore.
You can give this letter to Parson
Wilson," called Captain Peter genial
~. following them down the winding
iron staircase. BE sure you give 1t TO
him as soon's you get ashore. SOS he
can come out and stay with me till
you two lady killers come home"
Without word Eben Gall crammed
the letter in his breast pocket. and
then, with gruff Good night TO the
keeper ON the landing. they unlocked
the davit chains from the boat and
rowed away into the darkness.
Captain Peter Fame went back into
the coy sitting room and, throwing
himself into a huge rocking chair.
laughed until the tears rolled down his
weather beaten cheeks.
Once ON shore the two assistant
keepers of the Rock ledge light part
cd company in an ominous silence that
had not been broken since leaving the
lighthouse.
Caleb Brown took the lower road
and soon disappeared from view.
while Ebcn Gail made his way
through an upland path that led him
to the parsonage on the hill.
There was AN unusual air OF festiv-
ity about the snug house. Bright
lights shone from every window, and
when the front door was thrown wide
open red glow from the hall lamp
formed background for the minis
ter's surprised face. Eben noted that
he was dressed In his Sunday coat,
and over his shoulder pecred Mrs. VIII
sons rosy face.
Ebcn delivered the letter and turned
away As lie went down the path
Mrs. Wilson's voice arose. shrill with
disappointment and protest.
"S'posc they've got party on hand
maybe II donation. ! don't see how
the parson can get over TO the light
this evening. ! hope Miss Nettie amt
gone 10 any donation. don't know
when can get OF again" Ills steps
FASTENED as he drew near the abode
OF Miss Ncttlc Blake.
Now. Miss Blake was most fasci-
mating little lady. with soft brown
hair and eyes Of tender blue. Her
equally soft and tender heart had be-
rcft her of the power 10 give pain 10
any fellow creature. Perhaps this
was the reason why neither Caleb
Brown nor Ebcn Gail had been able TO
wiring n definite answer from the lady
both mutually adored.
For a whole year now the assistant
keepers of the lighthouse had courted
Miss Nettie Blake. At first they Wis
tied her ON different evenings. but as
jealousy waxcd hot they fell--npon
Wednesday evening as a proper and
fitting one for lovers attention, aud.
as neither could be dissuaded from
his purpose. first one and then the
other had supplied a substitute to
watch with Captain Fame on Wednes-
day evenings.
And this dual courtship did not dis
turb Miss Nettle's cquanlmity. She
was as sweet and kind as ever. and
she impartially set forth her tooth
some apple pies and clderberry wine
while the rivals glowered at each 9th
er across her snowy damask
Tonight. however. the little white
cottage was dark and silent. \ shad-
owy form on the doorstep indicated
the whereabouts Of Mr.. Caleb Brown.
Eben paused nj the gate and coughed.
Caleb Brown banged the brass
knocker fiercely on the door. cleaning
family white behind the shadowy
times.