The Glenwood post., 1918-12-14
THE RIVALS
BY AGNES G. BRoeAN.
1915, Western Newspaper
UniOn.)

1t seemed to David that he had al
ways loved Shirley Dare. And Shir-
ley, realizing that evident fact from
the time of her schooldays, had been
an imperiOus and capricious sweet.
heart.
Not that the girl deceived David by
pretending affection returned. She
had merely accepted his devotion as
one bestowing favor.
The country town had been unusu-
ally quiet that summer. Davids pres
ence on the ShadOwy porch was well
coined, as loneliness welcomes COM
panionship. Most of Fairlands' young
men had gone to war, while young
women of Shirley's acquaintance
sought diversion in vacations else
where.
"1f you would not be so agreeable
and kind" she told him completely, II
believe 1 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.
ence, in the hope that "absence
might make Shirley's heart fonder."
When separation became unbear-
able, and he began the homeward trip,
1t was in a strange spirit of apprehen-
sion. Anxiously his eyes gazed ahead
to the. little porch; then he under
stood.
Shirley was there in her white frock,
and 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 WELL" answered David, and
relapsed into silence. Shirley intro
duced the men.
"Mr. Webster is an attorney here
on business" she smilingly explained.
'sHe has been finding Fairlands dull
we must try to remove that impress
sion"
Shirley had been doing her pret-
tiest, 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 the three
were much together, hope and fear
struggled perplexedly in David's heart.
There were mOments-breathless mo-
ments-when Shirley's eyes seemed to
seek his with new tender question.
Again, she would turn, vaguely trou-
bled, to that other manly, admiring
face. She was weighing herself, Da-
vid knew, trying to find the answer
to the problem of her heart. He de-
cided to go back to the city. to search
the record of this stranger, who had
come with triumphant self-confidence
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 unselfish love Of
his lifetime triumphed. II Shirley
were even now hesitating between the
two men in her heart, he, David would
60 away forever.
When he returned again to Fair
lands a new light shone in his eyes,
and Shirley could not know that 1t
was the light of renunciation. John
Webster's ready smile had disap-
peared-the atmosphere of the little
porch that evening seemed fraught
with a vital element.
Quietly the three sat talking until
the hour grew late. Then very YEARLY
David arose. There were new lines
about his mouth, and his face was
white.
Goodnight" he said slowly. "and
1t may be good-by. I have been exam
ined in the city and they find me in
A 1 condition to fight, SOL have
enlisted for the war We leave for
camp In a few days-then over the
water"
His two listeners were silent-Da-
vid laughed softly. "Nothing heroic
about it. you understand" he added;
"bound to be called later, Just antic-
Apdteu lue tnluk.
"Oh! David" Shirley murmured. II
can't think of you going of like that"
She put her hand to her throat dis
tressed, then quickly turned as though
seeking comfort from the other man.
John Webster drew a deep breath,
then put forth a steady hand.
Goodnight, little Shirley Dare" he
said. with me, also, it may mean
good-by. A business trip carries me
to California tomorrow. My stay there
will undoubtedly be prolonged. I
thank you for the kindness Of your
hospitality"
AS he paused the girl stood looking
MP ut h'm. hurt 'ncrcdulity on hor
features.
"Good-by," John Webster repeated.