The Canon City record with which is consolidated the Canon City cannon., 1912-11-14
RACE FOR A WIFE
The Best Man Won Despite the
Great Odds Against Him.
BY HARMONY WELLER.

lurking In the masculine eyes must
be answered and there we're three sets
OF eyes. an adorins and likewise all
impatient.
Dick sazed fondly at the little
brown land that he longed TO pos
sess as his own; Harry's eyes were
riveted s.. he misty line OF blue that
showed b,noath her lashes and Tom
absorbed the whole perfect girl in his
glance mt mostly lie watched the
crinsc- tain OF her lips which curied
now q cain with troubled smile
she o. sed up and her eyes liz
gered on lc-n. on Dick and on Harry
Each man watched with trcpidai!on
the d.mpie that played ntrully in the
girls face. a half drawn breath os-
capped hcr lips
''lou have ALL" she began in her
sweet voice. 'honoTed mG--by loving
me" The men giowered each al the
other two. She continued "A trife
nervously. And in return love you
each one of you-with the same
emoui of loyalty think that am
not 4 one man woman. think
could be happy with any one OF you
very happy" she added
This polygamous speech had no,
the soothing effect that the girl had
hoped for The MASCULINE element
glowered with greater force but made
mo attempt to break the line Of
thought that struggled behind the
girls eyes A touch of color famed
her checks. her eyes became darker.
u want to marry one OF you. !
long for the city, Life on this island
has become irksomc TO me and | want
10 see the broader sphere OF life.
Living here. | have been denied so
many pleasures. Until this .ummer
had not realized a half OF what life
holds. You have each. In your grand
big way. made the last three months
a Paradise to me. / had never seen
an airship until the day Harry swept
down through the air in his huge ma
chine ] had never been In a motor
until Dick came wh.zzing across that
old bridge Good old fieet-footcd Bess.
whom Tom has taught me TO ride.
has hlled me with-well-ioy and
with your attentions"
Negative shakes from three heads
condemned her last words
Yes. you have" she contradlcted
quickly. blossom drew deep. tTou-
bled sigh And now-I have TO de
eide whether would like to marry
birdman and fly with him. a mo-
torist and ioy-ride with him or an
equestrian and gailop through lie
with him. II Is vexing question.
She raised appealing eyes 10 each
man in turn The look compelled an
answer.
The latter Is OF course The most
enjoyable" said Tom
The former is more exhilarating."
said Harry.
The middle path is always the saf-
est said Dick
blossom laughed and Jumped
quickly 10 her feet and motioned the
men to remain
Il am going TO bring out a jug OF
cider and some fresh doughnuis
While you three are making them dis
appear ! shall walk cnce around the
island. when / return IL viii be to
tell you whether mo;or. gsliop or ny
through life" With another rip.
z pling laugh she was OIL.
When she had gone 4 second time
ieaving In her place a tray of fresh
doughnuts and cider. Tom. Dick and
Harry glowered darkly one upon the
other Then. because they were all
of fiue mold. an arm shot out from
each brawny shoulder
To the best man-may he VIM
they toasted in one ireath
blossom trippcd along with light
feet. She went lrst along the level
stretch Of sand upon which great
airship spread its wings in rest: she
looked tenderly Rt IL she passed the
old bridge. the oaly connection be
tween the island and the mainland:
a gray racing motor lay silent. Bios.
sons eyes ceresHea Il. Still farther
on. under the great spreading elm
Brown Rcas grazed The mare whIn-
MED al sight Of the Giim figure In
the pink suabounet and 3losscm fon.
died the sleek neck and let fall
light kiss on the mares velyeiv nose
She walked ON with knitted brow
Hal, way around the small island she
stopped short The idea had come.
Excitement lent speed to her return
Blossom sank down IN little hut-
ter OF grace beside Tom. Dick and
Harry. She began ~ thout preamble.
Il will marry" she paused The
man who first reaches mc with a par
son and a license"
The girl gasped She was not pre-
pared for the lightning effect of her
words on her three admirers. Had
she shot them simultaneously out Of a
triple barreled cannon they could not
have started with such precision and
speed ller grip on her breath re-
leHed cad the cooked after The Tying
figures wondering ~ tho hidden force
- L.. ..-..-l- NIL ...-...--.-.a- !. -