The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1910-07-07
THE RIVALS
BY DoRoTHEA HALE.

ClcdH SudFSH LACE, lHHldculdt6 WHlIt
collar. buttoned, of course, in the cler
idll styIe--wrong side before--his onl,
ornament gold cross dangling ovel
a black waistcoat that covered vi
every speck of his shirt bosom.
Hes just too lovely for anything.
Had any one heard the voice he
would have looked about in vain fol
the speaker. 1t came from between
the s5Ats OF window blind and be
longed to Diana Parker, young LADY
member of the church at which the
curate officiated.. A dozen yards dowr
the street a sash was thrown up just
as he passed and face appeared Al
the window.
Good morning, Mr.. Meeks."
Good modning, Miss Dinsmore."
pheasant morning.
Very"
Are you on your way to the hos
pital?"
mo; / am going to see old Mrs
Waters. ! have hard she's very
poorly
Dear me. and haven't been to SCI.
her. If you don't mind waiting h few
minutes till get on my hat I'll 20
with you. am ashamed at having
been so neglectful."
The curate waited, and Miss Diana
Parker watched.
Well IL that doesn't beat any
thing" she muttercd. ITS the brazen
est plan to make catch / ever saw.
What does she care for old Mrs. Wa
ters?'
Mr. Neeks went regularly on week
day morning on a round of charit
able visits and returned about the
same hour in the afternoon. The
next morning Miss Parker left her
portal HATED, gloved and 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 hoing out so early?"
"oh. always begin my visits al
this hour"
I'm going visiting myself this morn
ing. | was SO impressed with your
remarks Dist Sunday evening about
our duties TO the sick that resolved
to turn over new leaf. Are you go
ing to the hospital?"
Not at once. I'm first going to a
poor woman whose husband has been
sent to jail She's left to take care OF
teh children while he rests from la
bor."
By this time the speakers had piss
ed out OF the hearing Of Miss Dins
more, who, ready for walk, had stood
behind curtain at her window wait
ing for the curate to go by.
We'll, declared" she exclaimed
"Did any one s~eu see such effronter'
| wonder II he th1hks the netting &C
cidensil."
The strategy developed during tbs
next few months on the part OF the
young ladies' was all screened behind
Stats or curtains, so that the uncon
sclous clergyman never dreamed thai
he was the point dappui, as the gen
erals would call 1t. or under an emf
,ading fire. as the artillerists would
describe 1t, of two batteries. each bent
on moving him down. Mss 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 "A cousin living block nearer
the church property, she frequently
availed herself of the more advanta
geous position and carried of 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 liter an ambulance bearing
trained nurse was seen going in the
direction of his apartments. Each Of
the young ladies who had been trying
to outwit the other in order TO eaten
him was waiting at her window, and
each paled. For a time he would be
removed from the Vaccinations OF
both. Miss Dinsmore hurried out to
go the rounds OF the parishloners u
learn the news. Miss Parker, whose
tactics were holder, went straight to
the FACTORY and asked IL any one was
Ill there. Both young ladies learned
That Mr.. Meeks was III at his rooms
and would be taker during the day 10
hospital TO be operated on for ap.
pendictis.
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 BON.
blrded with roses. carnations. pansies
and violets. Miss Dinsmore sent an
anchor Of lilies. Miss Parker. adhef-
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 Why to his parochial DIT
ties. Miss Dinsmore was thinking OF
stationing herself at 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 pallor.
But, alas for the riSi's. he was protect,
ed from both-he was in the rector's