The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1918-09-17

the RIVALS
BY AGNES G. nRoeAN.
Copyright, 1918, Western Newspaper
Union)

the time of her schooldays, had been
an imperlous and capricious sweet
heart.
Not that the girl deceived David by
pretending affection returned. She
had merely accepted his devotion as
one bestowing favor.
iGEle country town had been unusu-
! - quiet that summer. David's pres
ence on the shadowy porch was wei
coined, as loneliness welcomes COM
panionship. Most of Fairlands young
men had gone 10 war, while young
women of Shirley's acquaintance
sought diversion in vacations else
whore.
"lf You would not be so agreeable
and kind,' She told him completely, 81
believe ] might care for you--really."
David smiled; to be either disagree
able or unkind to Shirley would be
an impossibility. So he decided to
sacrifice few of these idyllic days
in absenting himself from her pres
cnce, in the hope that "abscnce
might make Shirley's heart fonder."
When separation became unbear-
able, and he began the homeward trip,
it was in a strange spirit of apprchcn-
sion. AnXiously his eyes gazcd ahead
to the little porch; then he under
stood.
Shirley was there in her White frock,
ana beside her tall young man.
"Where had the fellow come from?"
David savagely wondered, as he walk
ed up the path, and all at once his
newly bought suit seemed common
and his own bulk clumsy in compari-
son with the strangers faultlessly clad
figure
"Why, how do you do?" said Shir-
ley. There was new formality in the
extension Of her hand.'
every we'll" answered David, ana
rclapscd into silence. Shirley intro
duced the men.
mfr. Webster is an attorney here
on business" she smilingly explained.
"ITe has been finding FalrlandS dun !.
we must try 10 remove that impresN
sion"
Shirley had been doing her prct-
test, David mentally decided, to re-
move the impression. She and the joy
Gus attorney appeared to be on the
friendliest terms.
AS weeks slipped by and tho three
were much together. hope ana fear
struggled nerpeXedly in Davd's heart.
There We're mOments-breathles mo-
Shirley's eyes seemed to
seek his with Il new tender question.
Again. she would turn, vaguely trou-
bled, to that other manly, admiring
face. She WAS weighing herself, Da-
Vid know, trying to find the answer
to the problem sof her heart He de-
cided to go back to the city, to search
the record Of this stranger who had
come with triumphant self-confdence
among them. And the man proved TO
be all that he had represented, and
more. For John Webster had laid no
claim to the wealth that was his, or
to the enviable name of his family.
SO there in the city David fought a
great fight, and the unsefish love of
his lifetime triumphed IF Shirley
were even now hesitating between the
two men in her heart he, David would
90 away forever.
When he returned again. to Fair
lands a new light shone In his eyes,
and Shirley could not know that it
WIS the light of remuneration. John |
Masters ready smile had disap- !
oeared-the atmosphere OF the little |
porch that evening seemed fraught |
with vital element.
Quietly the three sat talking until /
he hour grew late. Then very wearily |
David arose. There were new lines
lbout his mouth, and his face was
white.
"Go0d-night" he said slowly, "and
t may be good-by. I have been exam
ned in the city and they flR1 me in
y 1 condition to fight, SOL have
Unlisted for the war We leave fol
amp in a few days--then over the
vater."
His two listeners were silent-Da-
id laughed softly. "Nothing heroic
bout it, You understand" he added;
hound to be called later, just antic-
pated the thing"
"Oh David" Shirley murmured. 81
ant think Of YOU going off like that"
She put her hand to her throat dis
ressed. then quickly turned as though
eeking comfort from the other man,
Ohm Webster drew a deep breath,
hen put forth steady hand.
Goodnight little Shirley Dare" he
aid. with me, also, it may mean
Ood-by. a business trip carries me
D California tomorrow. My stay there
rill undoubtedly he prolonged
hank you for the kindness of your
As he paused, the girl stood looking
p at .h1'7=hurt- t-incredullty on her ,
eatuf -.
"Good-by," John Webster repeated. -
Down the broad road the rivals
'alked together. you love her" Da-
id burst out; "why-then. do YOU go
way?"
The lawyer turned and smiled into
avid's wan face. "There is" he re-