The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1921-04-06
Rosalind's
Rustic Romance
~ }. =. SHEPARD

SSSS0vOSO~O00V~UVVV
"a 1850. BY Mcclure Nswspapsr syadieats.l
Rosallnd Menthorne turned down
the corner Of the page she had been
peruslng, closed the book. showed It
aside on the library table and gave
herself up to day dreams.
The title OF the book was 1.-THE
Romance Of Roaring Rutherford" and
Il dealt with dashing young western
er who performed heroic deeds by the
dozen, and because Of his bravery was
rewarded with the hand Of the cattle
kings lovely daughter.
But Rosalind had another kind Of
romance to think about and she was
the central figure In Il. She was loved
desperately and wooed persistently by
two young men. Only last night one
Of them had proposed for his third
time. and two days ago the other had
popped the question" after having
popped II thrice previously. Rosalind
was satisfied that she loved one Of her
ardent wooers, but could not determine
which Of them It was. 1t was this per-
picking puzzle that caused her tempo
rariiv to lose interest In Roaring Ruth
erfOrd.
She was Crabtree Center's most de-
sirabie daughter, when It came to looks
and personality. She was plump-not
TOO plump--and she had auburn hair
mot red, mind you--and dimples. 1t
might be mentioned In passing that her
father possessed something else that
was plump--a bank roll. Many
Crnbtree Center youth, with one eye
fixed atoringly on Rosalind and the
other attached hungrily to her fathers
dollars, had entered the arena, but all
Of them had failed and dropped by the
wayside; II you can imagine waysides
IN an arena.
Only two Of them were left. They
were Felix Spriggins and Josephus
,Smartlox. III beauty played part both
were out of the running The former
was built much like the moon and the
latter like straw. Felix weighed $50
nnd Josephus 125.
During his spare moments when he
was not calling on Rosalind, Felix
worked at reducing hts girth. using
gymnnstic apparatus which occupied
all the space In his room that was not
taken up with the bed. But the more
he lahcred to lose flesh the more he
took on.
At the same time Josephus sought
to acquire ayoirtlupols, but the only
effect Of this was to make him thin
ner.
Crabtree Center was small and Its
bank, where both worked. was little
structure resembling Jail. 1t would
not have been In existence only for
the fact that the town was built at
four corners where all the rural high
ways converged and the farmers
used it for social and business gath
ering place.
"Felix and Josephus are both nice
boys" unused Rosalind as she munched
chocolate. II could marry either
OF them and be happy-if only there
was something romantic about one Of
them. II one Of them would perform
deeds Of daring like Roaring Ruther-
ford he would be my choice; but who
can imagine Felix doing anything he
rolcf Josephus would be more likely
TO display bravery. but what opportu-
nifty Is there for deeds Of bravery In
Crabtree Center2 Yes. they're nice
boys. and l know they both love me-"
Now. Felix Sprlggins had heart
AZ big as his bulky body. He loved
ROsalind with all of this generous
heart. and II he gave thought to her
fathers financial standing 1t was only
Incidental.
JOsephus SmartlOx was fond of
iinery, and he loved the lucre Mr.. Men
thorn possessed. Yes. he loved Rosa
lind because Of her auburn hair and
dimples, but he loved her more be-
.ause OF the bankroll Of which she
some day would be the custodian.
EYES," unused ROsalind. II must have
romance: ! must have 4 brave man.
Ny choice for q husband will be the
sne who does a heroic deed. will
deliver this to them as an ultima
tuin."
1t was necessary. Of course. to de-
liver the ultimatum to each Of her
suitors on separate occasions, for
ROthing would have induced them to
get together, not even the power Of
their love for Rosalind.
II will marry the man who performs
the most daring deed Of heroism." was
what she said. II don't know how you
can put your bravery to a test In this
backwoods town. but shall wait un-
III you do"
The ultimatum appalled, and discour-
aged Felix. for he knew he was not
brave, and he feared his cause was
lost. II set Josephus TO thinking.
He was not brave. either. but he
had Imagination.
Things were humming along In their
prosaic way in the Crabtree Center
Ylrst National bank. Josephus Smart
lox was arranging some greenbacks
into piles and Felix Spriggins was do
lpe something with a big book and a
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