The wageworker., 1910-05-13
The Rivals
By DOROTHEA HALE
Copyright, 1910. by American Press
Association.


street. He was 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 gold cross dangling over
a black waistcoat that covered up ev-
cry sperk 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 window blind and be-
longed to Diana Parker. young lady
member of the church at which the
curate ofticiated. dozen yards down
the street Il 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
ters. / have heard she's very poorly"
Dear me. and 1 haven't been to see
her. If you don't mind waiting a 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.
We'll. it that doesn't beat any
thing" she muttered. Its the brazen-
est plan to make Il catch l ever saw.
What does she care for old Mrs. Wa
ters?"
MIR. Meeks went regularly on week
day mornings on round OF char
liable visits and returned about the
same bour in the afternoon. The
next morning Miss Parker left her
portal hated. gloved and Il 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. ! 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 new leaf. Are you 60
ing to the hospital?"
Not at once I'm first going to a
sent to Jail She's left to take care of
the children while he rests from la
bor''
BY this time the speakers had pass
ed out of the hearing Of Miss Dins-
more. who. ready for Il walk. had stood
behind a curtain at her window wait
ing for the curate to go by.
well. l declare"' she exclaimed.
off
l 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 dappui. 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 he marched out
upon his parochial duties. Therefore.
having cousin living Il 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 Mr.. Meeks failed to
pass down the street at the accustomed
hour. and later an ambulance bearing
q 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 paed. For time he would be
removed from the Vaccinations of
BOTH Miss Dinsmore hurried out to
go 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
ill there. Both young ladies' learned
that MIR. Meeks was i'll at his rooms
and would he taken during the day to
hospital to be operated Oh for ap-
pendicitis.
AS soon as the curate was out of
danger flowers poured in upon him.
mainly from the young ladies of the
congregation. He was literally bom-
barded with roses. carnations. panSieS
and vioets. Miss Dinsmore sent an
anchor of lilies. Miss Parker adher
ing to her aggressive tactics. offered
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 ut her cousins win
dow in order to intercept him and offer
, the first congratulations upon his re-
covery.
: At last the clergyman appeared pale
but even handsomer from his paliol