Evening journal., 1910-05-24
The Rivals
Copyright. 1910. by American Press
Association.
By DoRoTHEA HALE

The new curate passed down the
street He was a handsome, spic and
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
a 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. 1t 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 officiated. A dozen yards down
the street a sash was thrown up just
as he passed and face appeared az
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
ters. I have heard she's very poorly"
Dear me. and / haven't been to see
her. If you don't mind waiting few
minutes till l get on my hat I'll go
with you. | am shamed at having
been so neglectful."
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 "A catch 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 tho
same hour in the afternoon. The
next morning Miss Parker left her
portal hated, gloved and a parasol
in one hand and a 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. l always begin my visits at
this hour"
Pm going visiting myself this morn.
ing. l 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 go
ing to the hospital?
mot at once. I'm first going to a
poor woman whose husband has been
sent to jail She's left TO take care of
the children while he rests from Ia
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 a curtain at her window wait
ing for the curate to go by.
''Wen, / declarew she exclaimed
"Did any one ever see such effrontery
1 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 tha
he was the point d'appui. as the gen
erals would call it. or under an emf
lading fire, as the artillerists woulC
describe it. Of two batteries. each ben
on moving him down. Miss Dins
more's position being commanded by
her enemy. she was constantly seeing
the prize captured as he marched oui
upon his parochial duties. Therefore
having a cousin living a 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 hel
rival
One morning Mr. Meeks failed t'
pass down the street at the accustomed
hour. and later an ambulance bearing
a trained nurse was seen going in TIN
direction OF his apartments. Each o
the young ladies who had been tryini
to outwit the other in order to catcl
him was waiting at her window. ant
each paled. For a time he would b.
removed from the Vaccinations o
both. Miss Dinsmore hurried out 4
90 the rounds Of the parishioners L
learn the news. Miss Parker. who's
tactics were bolder. went straight t
the rectory and asked if ary one wa
i'll there. Both young ladies learne
that Mr.. Meeks was i'll at his room
and would be taken during the day t
a hospital to be operated on for az
pendicitis.
AS soon as the curate was out o
danger flowers poured in upon hin
mainly from the young ladies of tn
congregation. He was literally bon
barded with roses. carnations. pansie
and violets. Miss Dinsmore sent a
anchor OF lilies. Miss Parker. adhel
ing to her aggressive tactics, Offere
heart Of American BeautsNs.
Mr.. Meeks recovered. Again Mis-
Parker watched every morning 70
him to resume his walks past be
house on his way to his parochial dJ
ties. Miss Dinsmore was thinking q
stadoning herself at her Cousins wiz
dow in order to intercept him and one
the first congratulations upon his II
covery.
At last the clergyman appeared, pail