Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1910-05-04
The Rivals
Bv DOROTHEA HALE
Copyright. 1910. by American Press
Association.

The new curate passed down the
span young man with cameo features.
clean shaven face, immaculate white
collar, buttoned, Of course, in the cler-
ical style-wrong side before-his only
ornament a gold cross dangling over
q black waistcoat that covered up ev
cry speck of his shirt bosom.
Hes just too lovely for anything"
Had any one heard the voice be
would have looked about in vain for
the speaker. 1t came from between
the Stats Of window blind and be-
longed to Diana Parker. a young lady
member Of the church at which the
curate officiated. a dozen yards down
the street sash was thrown up just
as he passed and face appeared at
the window
Good morning. Mr.. Meeks."
Good morning. Miss Dinsmore."
Pheasant morning."
"Very."
Are you on your way to the hos
pital?"
mo; am going to see old Mrs. Wa
tiers. have heard she's very poorly"
Dear me. and | haven't been to see
her. II you don't mind waiting few
minutes till get on my hat III go
with you. | am shamed at having
been so negiectful."
The curate waited, and Miss Diana
Parker watched.
well, If that doesn't beat any
thing" she muttered. Its the brazen-
est plan to make catch | ever saw.
What does she care for old Mrs. Wa
ters?"
Mr.. Meeks went regularly on week
day mornings on round Of char
table visits and returned about the
same hour in the afternoon. The
next morning Miss Parker left her
portal halted. gloved and parasol
in one hand and Iady'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
I'm going visiting myself this morn
ing. | was so impressed with your
remarks last Sunday evening about
our duties to the sick that l resolved
to turn over a new leaf Are you 60
ing to the hospital?"
Not at once. I'm first going to
poor woman whose husband has been
sent to JAIL She's left to take care Of
the children while be rests from la
bor."
By this time the speakers had pass.
ed out of the hearing Of Miss Dins-
more, who. ready for a walk. had stood
behind q curtain at her window wait
ing for the curate to go by.
well, declare" she exclaimed.
Ibid any one ever see such effrontery?
l wonder if be thinks the meeting &C.
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 it. or under an emf
lading fire. as the artillerists would
describe it. Of two batteries. each bent
on moving him down. Miss Dins-
more's position being commanded by
her enemy. she was constantly seeing
the prize captured as be marched out
upon his parochial duties. Therefore.
having cousin living block nearer
the church property. she frequently
availed herself of the more advanta
geous position and carried off the Gu
rate before he reached the home OF her
rival.
One morning MIR. Meeks failed TO
pass down the street at the accustomed
hour. and later an ambulance bearing
a trained nurse was seen going In the
direction Of his apartments. Each OF
the young ladies who bad been trying
to outwit the other in order to catch
him was waiting at her window. and
each paled. For time be would be
removed from the Vaccinations Of
both. Miss Dinsmore hurried out to
60 the rounds of the parishioners to
learn the news. Miss Parker. whose
tactics were bolder. went straight to
the rectory and asked if airy one was
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