The Yale expositor., 1910-07-22
The Rivals
By DOROTHEA HALE
Copyright. 1910. by American Press
Association.

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 gold cross dangling over
black waistcoat that covered up ev.
cry speck of his shirt bosom
Hes JUST too lovely for anything"
Had any one heard the voice he
would have looked about In vain for
the speaker. IL came from between
the stats Of a window blind and be-
longed to Diana Parker. a young lady
member OF the church at which the
curate ofIiciated. A dozen yards down
the street sash was thrown up just
as he passed and a face appeared at
the window.
Good morning. Mr.. Meeks."
Good morning, Miss Dinsmore."
pleasant morning"
very"
Are you on your way TO the hos
pital?"
mo; am going 10 see old Mrs. Wa
tiers. 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 Oh my bat III go
with you. am shamed at having
been so neglectful."
The curate waited, ana Miss Diana
Parker watched
"Well. 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 80 early?"
"Oh. always begin my visits at
this hour
'Tm going visiting myself this MORN
ing. was so impressed with your
remarks last Sunday evening about
our duties to the sick that / resolved
to turn over a new leaf Are you 20
ing to the hospital?"
mot at once l'm first going 90
poor woman whose husband has been
sent to Jail. She's left 10 take care of
the children while he rests from lc
Dor"
BY this time the speakers had pass
ed out of the hearing Of Miss Dins-
more, who, ready For a walk mad stood
behind a curtain at her window wait
ing for the curate TO go by
"Well. declarew 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 artlllerists would
describe 1t, 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 he marched out
upon his parochial duties Therefore.
having q 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 a time he would be
removed from the machinations 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 II airy one was
Ill there Both young ladies learned
that Mr.. Meeks was III at his rooms
and would be taken during the day to
hospital to be operated on for APP
pendicitis
AS soon as the curate was out of
danger lowers 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 bis re
covery.
At last the clergy man appeared. pale,
but even handsomer from bis pallor.
But, alas for the rivals. ne was protect