The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1914-12-24
THE WINNER,
Copyright. Puck

Copyright. Puck
BY WILLIAM II. HANDY.
T EFF BARNES sat -on the worm
:. fence and Idly jabbed at the top
rail with the big blade of his pocket
knife. He was trying to think Of some.
thing else to offer. He had already
promised. everything which he imagtn.
ed might count with a girl. But
evidently none Of his promises had
counted. for she received his last with
the same battling, teasing laugh she
did the first.
At the end Of a corn row a half
mile down the valley Hank Smith
leaned between his pillow handles and
tried to think Of a brand new promise.
So far, he could think of nothing TN
der the sun except the moor and plan
cts which he had not already prom
iseL!. Yet In return she had never
promised him the least little hope.
To all his offers she only laughed
elusively and looked Quizically at him
from the corner Of her eyes.
.Iank and jeff were both in love
with Nancy Collins and had been for
two years. Hank took her to church
Sunday. JEFF to a picnic Thursday.
JEFF drove her to a Sunday-school bas-
ket dinner Sunday. Hank paid for the
ice cream and sponge cake at the
social Thursday evening.
Each proposed every time he was
with her, and promised to be, do, give,
or allow something that would add
to her happiness. 1t was a new prom
Use when he could think Of one. when
he could not, the old mes were, used
again. At these times Nancy did not
shut her lips tightly, stamp her foot,
and forbid mention of the subject.
She laughed, a half earnest, elusive
sort of laugh, and seemed pleased. as
indeed she a The fact, is. Nancy
loved both of them and nothing either
did or said helped her decide which
she wanted.
Now that each of the young men
felt he had done his best, looked his
best, begged his hardest, and promised
his utmost, yet had not won, he grew
desperate.
At last Barnes went to Smith.
Hank, we have got to come to an
understanding"
Pm agreeable" Hanks lone sug-
gested the sweetness of a saw hle.
Lets settle it some way" proposed
JEFF.
I'm agreeable" Same tone.
But how to do it Is the question"
JEFF was puzzled.
Eyes, that's the question"
1.-THE best Ia ought to win." de.
clared JEFF.
"Yep."
Then they discussed a long time
what was the best man whether the
fellow who could whip, run fastest,
work the most, had the most money,
or the fewest sins to his credit.
Seems to me-" finally concluded JEFF.
the best man is the one that can
make her happiest." Hank admitted
the truth of this. But how will we
decide that?"
LET us leave it to Aunt Margaret"
proposed JEFF. Aunt Margaret was the
great aunt of both-the young men
being second cousins. The old lady
was the family counselor for all the
Smiths and Barneses. She had enough
Irish to give her a sharp wit.
1t was SO agreed. They would lay
the case before Aunt Margaret and
abide her decision.
II have a good farm and can give
her plenty" said JEFF.
$50 have l." said Hank.
Il have promised her she shall have
a hired girl all the time," continued
JEFF, "and will never have to work
unless she wants to-"
$50 have l." nodded Hank.
Eve told her l will never speak
cross nor be in a bad temper when.
things go wrong" announced JEFF.
"And l promised never to complain
If the victuals are burnt" added Hank.
The old lady shook her head.
Shed have to use the mop on either
Of you" And many other things which
they had promised, a many as they
could remember. they told the old
lady.
"You have both been promisin.
lies" she said with the frankness of
a relative, "and l won't decide detwixt
you. You amt neither one good
enough for any girl; but the poorest
one Of you is the best Nancy is likely
to get; so begone with you. and settle
your own troubles"
Hank went his way very angry, for
he had made all his promises in good
faith and meant to keep them-every
one.
JEFF went away thoughtful for he