Emmons County record. [volume] (Williamsport, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1884-current, 1917-10-25
TheWorthy
Choice
"
BY
VICTOR REDcLIFFE
Copyright, by w. G. Chapman. !

copyright, by w. g. Chapmano
"First come. first served. nephewlr
spoke Ezra Spofford.
Il am very much pleased with the
second serving. uncle" declared War.
rem Hayes In his wOnted bright and
CHEEKY way.
"That's your way, know" observed
Ezra grnvely, ''but ull the same / wish
you had come earlier and got the pick"
II should have selected the working
team just the same, uncle" insisted
Warren cOntentedly. "YOu see. the
horse and top buggy just suit the finshy
ways Of Cousin Felix Grove He's built
for fast driving. I'm plOdder, you
know. and you couldn't have made q
finer present If you had tried"
"Well. you show more appreciation
than Felix did," spoke old Ezra. HE
took 1t as n matter of course. I'm 60
ing to move to the city. as you know.
and you've both been good boys. you're
near Of kin and this little distribution
is n slight earnest of my feelings to-
ward you II you make men of your
selves"
"Who could help 1t, having a kind
friend and relative like you!" chal-
lenged Warren warmly. II thank you
uncle. and I'll deserve this unexpected
start In life."
Felix Grove worked In the Office of
q lawyer at Brixton!: Warren Hayes
was Of more practical mold. He had
sturted small feed and grain bust
ness and knew that time, patience and
attention might build it up to some
thing substantial.
Felix Grove went spinning back to
town. proud. bOuyant, mercilessly ex.
travngant US to lash and urging Of
voice. He drove around the public
squnreshnlf dozen times. He made
a bargain with the liveryman Ms 20 the
care Of his turnout. The horse was In
sweat and nervous and irritable from
his crude saving ON the lines, but
Felix did not pay any attention to
| thnt. There was work waiting for him
ut the Office, hut Felix went at once to
the billiard hall to boast of his new &C
QUESTION:
Warren went home happy. hopeful
young man. The team meant to him o
great convenience and saving, for
hitherto he had been obliged to hire
his hauling done. There wns barn on
the place, and it was labor of love
and interest to him to fix up the old
stable and make the animals comfort
able. 1t was with good deal Of salts
faction that he advertised the next day
that he could now make daily deliv-
cries of produce to neighboring towns
AZ well us in BrixtOn.
"YOu can take us over to Barry, Sat
urday. now you've got a team, can't
you Warren?" his sister asked.
"Surely 1 cnn," answered Warren &C
commodntingly. "Well all 20. Uncle's
family will be glad to have visit from
us. I'll close up ut one o'clock and
we Gun come home In the moonlight"
The wagon was bulky and heavy, but
Warren rugged up three double seats,
curried the horses till they shone and
covered the seats with blankets. He
was quite proud and nll hands were
fully pleased with the drive to Barry.
They had d general visit with their
relatives and ut one o'clock started
home. laughing. joking and singing on
the way.
A tremendous clntter behind them
caused Warren to vacnte the middle of
the rOad and he guided his horses
aside. A horse and buggy dashed by.
ITS Cousin Felix" announced ibis
sister.
"Who was with hint"
EDNA TruxtOn."
Warren's lips puckered. He did not
relish the information. Edna wns the
only girl In the district that he really
cared for. Her home was half way
between the two towns. Quick-witted
Nellis Hayes rightly construed her
ibrOther's muteness. for he had ceased
to he the life of the group.
"YOu know Felix Is showing off with
every girl who will ride with him." she
said c0nsolingly. HE even asked poor
me-"
But a week later Warren half won.
dered II he would not have done bet
ter after all to have been awarded the
horse and buggy. He learned that
,, Felix was out driving with Edna a
good deal. Warreo acted foolishly. He
ceased dropping in on Edna us he had
formerly done. Twice Nellie told him
that Edna had met her and had snid
that she missed Warren's pleasant Wis
Its, but the latter compared his hum
drum ways with the brilliant fiashy
dash of Felix and made up his mind
that he could not outstrip SO fnscinat-
ing rival.
It was month later and there had
been long spell of wet stormy wealth
er. The roads were in fearful condI-
ton and the strong wagon breasted diff
ficulties that would have daunted n
lighter outfit. Warren made his regu-
lar trips us usual and one evening was
about three miles out of Barry when
Felix dashed up in his buggy.
\ AUST got telephone" Felix in
formed him in his excited way. 1.-THE