Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1913-01-10
ROCKVILLE. MARYLAND FRIDAY MORNING. JANUARY TO- 1913

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-
ously 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 establishment upon receiving an
anonymous note informing her that
the rivals were intending to fight for
her in an opening in wood beside the
river, a secluded spot about mile
from the town, at 8 o'clock In the
morning.
This was a stumper for Kate. The
idea of bloodshed occurring on her ac-
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 he should blame her She
fretted till late at night before coming
to any decision, then struck plan
that reflected her own peculiar genius
ing Of the hook and ladder company,
The men were sitting around in arm
chairs, but when they saw their fem
thine honorary member enter each and
every man rose and saluted. 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 went to
bed.
At 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 a 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 a
tragedy. But a man will make a guy
OF himself about a woman, especial y
when he has rival, quicker and more
obstinately than for any other cauS 4,
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 a halt.
The rising sun was shining In his prln.
clpaPs 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 a 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 a stream Of water
on the duellsts. In few seconds they
were drenched, and, since the water
was not overwarm, they shivered. But
the fremen played on till Kate called
q 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 firemen
TO 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
rage and, followed by the aremen,
drove back to town.
Though Kate had pledged all the fire.
men not TO divulge the affair, 1t was
too good for the seconds to keep II
got into the newspapers, and the first
knowledge Of It that Mr.. and Mrs
Tracey received was through 'thls
source.
"What shall we do with herP ex.
claimed the father In perplexity.
"oh, heavensl 1 don't know unless
we shut her up in a lunatic asylum"
replied the mother.
But the idea OF shutting the young
lady IN an asylum was not to be con.
sidered. her father averring that as
chief lunatic she would assume a lead.
ership OF her fellow prisoners and take
command Of the Institution. But he
agreed that, since there was nothing
positively bad In his daughters make.
up, It would be better TO give her hor
head" and let her set her own pace.
However. soon after the browning
episode Of her single life, In which Miss
Kate extinguished a rivalry for her
hand with cold water, she fell deeply
IN love with and was married to n
young man who is model OF sobriety
and steadiness lie has heard about
his wife's escapades before her mar.
riage and can't exactly understand
them. He says he doesn't see what all
the fuss and worry were about lie
doesn't see anything the matter with
her.