The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1912-10-23

a lump Of coal. All that glittsrs may
not be gold, but beast. bird and man.
kind from time immemorial have been
attracted by that which shines rather
than that which is somber.
Kate turned OF suitors In droves
without even incurring the slightest
blame from any OF them. She was
Obliged to inflict some grlevous
wounds, but always managed to apply
a balm that averted change from
love to hate However. the day ar
rived when two lovers came down
upon her at the same time, and she
was sorely puzzled.
James Tisdale and Ernest Brown
were the two young men simultane-
ousiy struck by Kate Tracey's charms
Since she wanted neither OF them It
was not possible for her to decide be-
tween them. Unfortunately she did
not know of the rivalry and bitter an
imosity that had sprung up between
them. One evening she was struck
with astonishment upon receiving an
anonymous note informing her that
the rivals were intending to fight for
her in an opening in a wood beside the
river, a secluded spot about a mile
from the town, at 5 o'clock In the
morning.
This was stumper for Kate> The
idea Of blocdshed occurring on her &C
count appalled, her. Her first impulse
was to tell her father. but he had
warned her time and again against be-
ing drawn into complications with men
who wished to marry her, and she
dreaded lest be should blame her. She
fretted till late at night before coming
to any decision. then struck 4 plan
that reflected her own peculiar genius,
Sallying forth, she went to the build
ing Of the hook and ladder company.
The men were sitting around In arm
chairs, but when they saw their fem
mime honorary member enter each and
every man rose and salutsd. Kate
| nodded to them and went straight on
to the Office of their captain.
After half an hours conference Kate
emerged from the hook and ladder
house attended by the commander.
who insisted on seeing her home. He
left her at her door and returned to
the engine house, while Kate won't to
bed.
At 4 O'Clock she arose, dressed her
self, crept softly downstairs and went
out into the street No one was about
at that early hour, all being slowed
away in bed, but at the corner she
found the captain Of the fire depart
ment with a carriage and several Of
his men with q fire engine. Kate en-
tered the carriage with the captain,
and. followed by the fire engine. they
were driven out Of town.
Just before o'clock-it was coming
daylight-the dueling parties were on
the ground making preparations for the
encounter An attempt was made by
the seconds to effect a reconciliation,
stating that the affair would appear at
least ridiculous and might result in
tragedy. But a man will make a guy
of himself about a woman, especially
when he has rival. quicker and more
obstnately than for any other cause,
and neither of the principals would
! bulge.
The ground was paced, the positions
marked and the men placed upon them.
But just as a signal to FIRE was to be
given one Of the seconds called halt.
The rising sun was shining in bis prin-
cipaps eyes. A new arrangement was
made, and the contestants were placed
differently.
The delay proved fortunate.
Just as they were about to receive
the signal to fire a carriage drove up,
followed by fire engine. Kate Tracey
and the captain Of the hook and ladder
company jumped out Of the carriage,
and at an order from the latter the en-
gine began to play stream Of water
on the duelists. In a few seconds they
were drenched. and. since the water
was not overwarm, they shivered. But
the fremen played on till Kate called
halt.
shake hands" she said.
Neither Of the principals would.
They seemed chiefly concerned about
the ridiculous figure they cut Every
one on the ground except themselves
was laughing. Kate told the fremen
10 continue the douche for awhile, then
renewed the order to shake hands. But
another wetting was necessary before
they would obey. Then, upon the as
surance of all concerned that the af
fair should proceed no further, Kate
and her attendant returned to the car
riage and. followed by the nremen,
drove back 10 town.
Though Kate had pledged all tho FIRE
men not to diyulEe the affair, 1t was
too good for the seconds to keep. II
got into the newspapers. and the first
knowledge OF 1t that Mr.. and Mrs.
Tracey received was through this
source.
What shall we do with herr" ex-
claimed the father in perplexity.
"Oh, heavens! / don't know unless
we shut her up in a lunatic asylum"
/ a