The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1910-03-18
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BY r. A. mitchell.

ready 10 be taken IN, ana ne liked Us
so well that when the harvest YVES
over he concluded TO keep us for every
day work during the winter. In the
summer Ruth Bathgate. his daughter.
used TO bring US out cool drinks. and
we two young men soon became anx-
ious for some sign OF preferencc-not
that either Of us had any intentions
toward her; IL was just an ordinary
rivalry. But Ruth was mighty particu-
lar not 10 make the slightest differ
ence between us.
When the autumn came on. the fod-
der was I'm shock, the weather getting
cold, and the logs were blazing on the
hen til. the farmer and his family and
Josh and | used TO st around the
blaze, talking and telling yarns. That
was a happy winter for both Josh and
me. We didn't either OF us suspect
that we Were both dead gone on Ruth.
nor did we foresee what was TO hap
pen TO break up our pleasant circle
That's the trouble with pleasant times
there's always something that makes
very thing to break up the pleasure
Since il is all over | know that what
made our enjoyment 80 keen was Ruth.
and It was Ruth that spoiled II all
not Intentionally. for rs ! said, she ia
vored neither of rs She couldn't have
kept us two fellows from gradually
falling in love with her II she hac
wanted TO.
AT first Josh and ! used 10 SPEAK
about little occurrences concerning her
with perfect freedom. Then we ceased
to say anything 10 each other that in
volved any relation with her. and final
ly we never mentioned her year
passed. the pleasantest have ever
known, and when we'd filed the barns
and there was little TO do one day Josh
said TO me:
There's something | want TO say to
you. Ben The harvest is ended, and II
doesn't seem Just right for two strap
ping fellows like US TO put Farmer
Bathga,e 10 the expense of keeping Us
all winter. There's enough for one 70
do, but not enough for two. It's my
opinion he'd let one OF US go but
doesn't like TO decide between US
What do you say TO playing a game OF
seven up 10 settle which shall get
out 2"
II reckon there's something In what
you say. Josh" l replied in as melan-
choly a tone as his Hes treated US
mighty we'll and we ought to relieve
him Of the responsibility of sending OF
one II US. And sou ard |. too. have
been square to ca h other ! don't ex
actly Ike your plan If playing Il game
to find out which shall 50. for one
might have more skill than the other.
think we'd better lCi consulting else
than cards decide between US Mrs.
Bathgate was making candles this
morning. Now. what do You say T.
your choosing candle and choosing
one out OF the same mold and lighting
them at the same timer The one whose
candle goes out first Is TO 20"
Il think that would be good way
to settle it,"
We were In our room at the time
we occupied a room together-and |
was going out to get the candles when
met Ruth at the door.
"I've heard what you two have been
saying" she said. through the parti-
ton. and you're right. Father doesn't
need but one extra hand this winter.
but he won't send away either OF you.
I'll go down and get the candles and
light them for you"
We were both nightly pleased TO
have her do this and waited patiently
till she came back with the candles.
Would you choose for usT' we both
said at the same moment.
IF you wish me to-"
Placing n candle before each OF US.
she scratched match in each hand
and lighted nlem at the same moment.
\ Then she left the room without a
glance at either OF us. The candles
were short and would burn out In be
tween one and two hours. Josh and !
played a good many games OF seven
up. occasionally glancing at the can
dies with apparent unconcern, but real
ly with suppressed suspense. IL was
not till'they had burned down to with
In an inch Of the socket that noticed
a difference. Then | saw that my can
die was burning the slower. When
Josh's began to flicker there was still
three -eighths OF an inch Of mine left.
He blew II out and turned away TO
conceal his feelings. | expected Ruth
to show enough interest In which OF
us was to remain. to ask before goin-
to sleep. but she didn't. "Well." | said
to myself. ut doesn't make any differ
ence. after all. which goes first. Wen
both 20 soon enough. She doesn't want
either Of us"
The next day Josh told the farmer
that he thousht he'd look for work II
the city and left US. lie had no sooner
gone than Ruth began TO bestow upon
me little attentions. This was quito
enough 10 induce me 10 show my feet
lngs, and ] met win every cnvunr csv
ment. In less than month after
Josh's departure | was engaged.
After our engagement | told Ruth
the story of how Josh and had both
secretly loved her and how we. had set