New-York tribune., 1922-10-08
THE RIVALS
FOR SIMONE
By ROGER REGIS
Translated by William, L. McPherson

sc cool and silent that on leaving the house
where they had been calling the two friends
could rot resist the pleasure of a stroll. They
lighted their cigarettes and set off side by
side Their steps echoed on the sidewalk.
Finally Etienne said.
"Well, what do you think of Smone?D
Noel puffed out his lips disdainfully and
answered:
"a nice girl but insignificant"
"That's your usual way of Judging people.
Because you were lucky enough to be born
rich, because you don't know anything but how
to spend your money foolishly, you can't take
any interest in modest people. The Marins
are not rich. You find them commonplace.
Their daughter has no dowry. You find her
Insignificant. IL brought you here this even
ing 1t was to prove to you that in all sociai
circles there are hospitabie and agreeable
families. Upon my word, you didn't seem to
be at all bored. I also wanted to prove to
you that girl like Simone, If she hasn't any
thing else, has charm, w.t. gayety and-which
certainly adds something--a delicate beauty.
"Go easy. Are you in love with herr"
~ could ask you the same question. The
whole evening you never stopped gazing at
her. ! certainly noticed it. Only, now that
we are alone, you have compunctions."
Etienne and Noel had become acquainted
during the war. They had faced the same
dangers and endured the same privations. A
firm friendship had been established between
them. After the peace the one had gone back
to work in the wholesale house where he used
to be employed. The other had resumed his
life Of idleness. But the difference in their
situations had not broken up their coinrade-
ship. Noel piloted Etienne around Montmartre
and the boulevards. In return Etenne some
times introduced Noel into families which he
knew.
So this evening he had agreed to visit the
Marins. With strange modesty he concealed
his real impressions and found a malicious
amusement in provoking his friends wrath.
He had never been happier than he was at
hearing Etienne insult him to his face.
Weary Of facile compliments and insincere
complaisance, he received these reproaches
with gratitude. To invite further ones, he re-
plied
Il may be thoroughly spoiled but you, old
fellow, are great simpleton.'
"a simpleton," Etienne cried, because I
consider happiness as trophy easy to win IL
you take the trouble to win it.! Get out! You
are gloomy idiot Happiness is within your
grasp. With your fortune you could marry
charming young girl, even if she has no dowry.
You would thereby not only do good act, but
you would be certain to get the best of wives,
the most attractive, the tenderest, The most
loyal. One of these days you will marry
woman as rich as you are, ninny without
brains, who will not love you and who,
perhaps"-
There was silence. Noel seemed to be
thinking it over. Then he said in low voice:
"After all, you may be right"
Certainly am"
"It would be a joke on me if / made the
sort of marriage you spoke off,
"Yes."
II am going to ask for Mile. Simone Marins
hand"
Etienne stopped suddenly. seized his frienel
by the arm and pleaded ardently
"No, my dear fellow, not Simone Anybody
else you wish, but not her. can tell you
now. / do love her. For months and months
/ have dreamed Of making her my wife.
have not yet dared to speak to her father be-
cause of my mediocre situation. But things
will soon change for the better. By hard
work shall be able to assure our future. It's
no joke, Noel. 1t would be cowardly OF you
to rob me of Simone."
The other, genuinely impressed, stammered: :
"Have no fears. But / confess that / am
sorry. Simone pleases me greatly. She is not
insignificant. She is charming. She alone
could tempt me to make love marriage"
Two months passed. Etienne and Noel con-
tinued to meet every evening. They called to-
gether on the Marins The daughter, who was
equally gracious to both Of them, seemed also
to have the same attraction for both. But
when they were alone, in the silence and fresh
ness of the old Auteul street, they didn't dare
to speak of Simone.
One evening, however, Noel relieved him
self of his secret thoughts. AS soon as they
reached the sidewalk he cried:
Listen to me, old man. Let US talk frankly
Things cannot so ON this way any longer.
have effaced myself for your benefit because
you are my dearest friend and because | woult
hate to cause you any pain. But time passe
and you have not decided. Your situation i
now what you hoped for. Nothing prevent
you from marrying Sirnone. Why haven't yo
asked for her hand?"
Etienne lowered his head and made no an
swer. The other began again:
If you married the irreparabic would b
accomplished | should no longer think Q
her But see her now constantly, still frcs