Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1911-01-19
The Rivals
By ESTHER VANDEVEER
Copyright, 1910. by American Press
Association.

with girls in such cases is that they
won't show Il preference. Lucy show
ed a preference for both the friends.
One day she would be very sweet to
Andrews, the next to Hutchins. There
is nothing like uncertainty to sharpen
love. and nothing will break up a
friendship either between two men or
two women than a rivalry for the af-
fections of the same person. So John
and Tom first began to show a cool
ness, then to scowl at each other when
they met. and finally they were ready
to take each others hearts blood.
One evening John went to see Lucy
and remained with her till II o'clock.
When he went away, though he had
not proposed to her, he considered the
matter settled between them. He was
unable to support a wife, and this was
the reason why he had said nothing
about marriage. He intended to see
her again soon, confess that he loved
her and ask her if she would wait till
he could better his affairs.
The very next afternoon he received
a shock. Walking along a road, Tom
and Lucy passed him in a buggy. Tom
scowled at him. but Lucy smiled very
sweetly. What did it mean? Was the
girl deceiving him? He brooded over
the matter. and instead of going to
her for information be e~ndeavored to
get it from Tom. The next day, meet
ing Tom. he said:
"Have a pleasant ride yesterday"
Eyes; very"
Anything between Won and Lucy?"
"What's that to YOU
ga good deal. I'm about to come to
an understanding with her."
II don't know but I'll come to an I'M
derstanding with her myself. jack"
said Tom. suddenly changing his tone,
let's go into the wood there where
no n will see is and have it out.
If you make me cry huff I'll leave
the field to you. If you make me
cry huff l take a back seat and let
you do the driving"
"Agreed!'
The two young men penetrated a
wood nearby, Tom leading the way,
till they reached an open space, where
he stopped. and they took off their
coats and squared up against each
other. John drew first blood from his
chum's nose. and Tom drew second
blood from his chum's lip. Then they
both clinched. and Tom very nearly
gouged out Johns eye, John at the
same time biting off a piece Of Toms
ear. They fell, John on top.
Got enough?' he asked.
NO"
Five minutes later Tom got John off
and under.
SCOT %enough?" he asked.
NO
They couldn't very well kill each
other without any weapons except
their fists, but they tired each other
out. John succeeded in throwing off
Tom. but he hadn't the strength to fol
low up the advantage. Tom lay still
he could neither renew the combat nor
rise.
Ten minutes later Tom sat up.
John he said. II got an idea"
John ave Il responsive grunt.
I'm thinking the girl had better de-
eide between u.s."
"And I'm thinking you'd better have
thought Of that before instead of pro-
posing to come here and have it out
Lets get W and go home"
I'm willing"
! They got up and dragged themselves
away. They We're about to climb a
fence to cross Il field when they saw
the object Of their quarrel in the cen
ter of the Enclosure. A bull was be-
hind her. and she had evidently ar
rested his attention. Presently he be-
gan to trot toward her.
you've said you're about to fix it
up with her." said John. "You bet
ter run for her before the bull cores
her."
II thought you were counting on her.
l wouldn't stand in your way for the
world"
Meanwhile the bull was galloping be-
hind the unconscious girl. Death did
not stare her in the face. but in the
back. Without interference the bull
would surely kill her.
Suddenly a man with a pitchfork
jumped over the fence on the opposite
side Of the field, ran for the bull and
turned him against himself. With a
few jabs the man put the bull to
flight. Lucy had turned, and when the
bull left she fell into the mans arms.
Here was a COMMON enemy to unite
the rivals. With one accord they got
over the fence and hobbled toward
Lucy. They We're SO intent upon see
ing her in another's arms they for
got that they were covered with dirt
and blood. Disabled as they were, it
required some time for them to reach
their objective point, and when they
did Lucy had disengaged herself and
when she saw them had SO far recoy-
cred from her fright as to burst out
laughing.
"Howde, boys?' said the. man who
had saved her life. Been Gghting%