The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1915-09-02

good. And II would show Miss Dor
othy who's the better man"
Il can't thrash fellow for taSins
my girl away" said Ned, ITS up TO
me to keep her"
That's true" answered. hut
thrash him for being a BLACKBOARD
Thrash him on general principles,
Ned
Whats thats" asked Neds and |
tried to explain. painted Philips
character as it appeared to ME. Are
you going TO let Miss porothy's heart
get brokeng" inquired. "of course
youll win her back afterward But
is the game worth the candle. looking
at it from the woman's viewpoint"
No, sir" said Ned, and knew that
he had made up his mind.
saw the two together most of the
day. and wondered when Ned would
bring OF his coup. He chose the best
time-after dinner. They were walk
ing in the grounds. and | suppose
had no business to follow Ned when
saw him so after them; but | want
ed to see Dorothy's eyes opened. and
that is my only excuse for what
did.
saw Ned go up to the couple and
speak to Phillips don't know what
he said. but l heard Phillips snort
of contempt.
Can you hght?" Ned demanded
next
Il can whip dozen like you" Phil
lips retorted.
Then I'm going to thrash you on
general principles" said Ned. and I
could hardly keep from clapping my
hands and crying "bravo!"
Miss Dorothy had hardly recovered
from her surprise when the two were
at 1t, hammer and tongs.
had not expected Phillips to put
up much of fight, but 1t was case
OF Ned doing his best to stop Phil
lipps' rushes. After the first minute
Phillips knocked Ned down, and. when
he got up Phillips let him have it
again. Ned didn't get home more
stretched out upon the ground. half
unconscious. 1t had been Phillips
from beginning to end. and he ham
died his fists in a very creditable way.
| suppose it was fear of the public
ity. but all the while the girl stood
or spoke. Nobody saw me, and l felt
pretty badly to see how my plot had
miscarried Because my idea had
been to show the girl what coward
Phillips was. and, instead. it was Ned
who got the thrashing.
Had enough?" sneered Phillips.
standing over Ned. Ned groaned; he
couldn't raise himself from the ground.
If this brute has had his lesson.
let US continue our walk, Miss
Raines," suggested Phillips.
And suddenly the girl turned on
him with flashing eyes.
You brutel" she cried. How dare
youl How dare you fight a man weak.
er than yourselfi Go away at oncei
Do you hear me?" She stamped her
foot like a fury.
The next moment she was kneeling
at Ned's side. calling him all the en-.
dearing terms in her vocabulary. Her
arms we're round him, and with her
skirt she began sponging away the
blood that covered his face Forgive
me. Ned" she was sobbing.
l went away then, because l real
lied that l had no business there
But 1t seems strange to me: l had
thought woman loved strength in
man, but If Ned had beaten Phillips
he would have lost her forever. II
sort of upset my ideas-and at my
age one doesn't like that
Phillips departed the next morning
by early train, and / imagine he won't
show his face up this way in hurry
again. Dorothy and Ned are to be
married in October-and I've been
asked to stay on and be best man.
It's curious; l should think Ned would
never want to see me again after
that beating. But l suppose he con.
siders all roads good ones that lead to
Dorothy.