The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1922-11-09

met AeI. WnaI Ed had said
about the young beauty in their midst
was nothing more nor less than
mere sketch in outline. It took ro-
mantle Bert to fill in that sketch with
butterfly hues and make Of Adella
something to liken unto the angels
This happened years and years ago.
when a true lover went counting with
the old horse and clean buggy to call
on his lady love; or if he SO cared to
ride the horse, and because there was
but one good riding horse, Dexter, in
the Semmet family, either the boys
had to go together in the buggy or one
must remain at home. Naturally Ed
went when he wanted to, but he was
just so tremendously fond of Bert that
often he gave in-until Adella came
so there was no friction about who
got the horse on beau night.
After Adella's arrival. there was all
kinds of skirmishing to get the farm
work done, and the spoils went to the
fleet.
After several weeks of courtship.
and it was real courtship, Ed felt that
Bert was gaining on him. Bert a
rather humorous chap, had the same
idea of Ed. They talked less of all
girls in general and Ed mistook Bert's
whimsical smile and quiet manner for
something serious. A self-assured
fellow can afford to keep quiet and
occasionally lose a day at the home
of his sweetheart.
And right here let me say that
Adella was just wee bit more in love
with Bert. Still when Ed came. she
was all winsome smiles, and while not
exactly coquettish, nevertheless. she
rather enjoyed capturing two hand
some lovers in one place. Others gave
way for the brothers, though gallant
ones came far and near just to see
her and talk with her.
At last came the hour when brother
knew brother 1t was Adeila's last
week with the MERGERS. Ed said he
was going to take the horse and go
over to Merglers that night. Instantly
a red flush, anger cloud, crossed
Bert's smiling face, and he looked Up
quickly and to the surprise of his
whole family he blurted out: Like
- you are! What are you trying to
do anyway, take my girl from merrill
show you who gets the horse. l get
it. Understand me! If you go. leave
this house tonight and I shall never
come back"
True to his word, he did take the
horse. At least he was getting ready
to take it when he saw Ed going
down through the orchard wearing
his, Bert's very best suit of clothes!
He had stolen them, dressed and
meant to get over to MERGERS by some
means, possibly a lift on the road
from some person going that way. 1t
often happened one or the other start
ed to walk and got lift on the jour
ney.
The instant Bert saw him. he pulled
his suspenders up on his shoulders.
and gave howl of rage. Without so
much as wiping the soapsuds out of
his ears, he ran out of the house.
jumped on the horse and started aft
er Ed. He was too furious to see,
hear or think. Ed was cutting across
field, so Bert jumped off the horse
and started after his brother. And
those boys could run. Presently Ed
fell He lay limp, then threw him
self over, catching at his leg. Writh-
ing in agony right in the good suit of
clothes, too. Bert came up and reach
ed down to help Ed.
Ed leaped to his feet and gave Bert
a push which sent him over a hill, not
where he would hurt himself, but
where he would be out Of the way for
a while; then like deer Ed ran ia
the fence, got over, unhitched the
horse and sped down the road, waving
his hand in the dusk at the wretched
brother climbing back to his starting
place, furious at the ruse that sent
him over!
After a good nights sleep, n4r.
saw the humor of the game. He gave
in and laughed. He had to laugh. It
was his nature to do so. And Ed, just
a bit ashamed, confessed that he had
done dirty trick. 81 just wanted her
and when I finally got the nerve to
ask her to marry me, she positively
refused me, refused me point blank
and said she was engaged to another
fellow. I would give ten dollars to
know who he is" Ed moaned
"Pass over your ten, like a good
sport I asked her, two weeks ago.
What is more, she accepted me-"
+ Slowly Ed drew out his pocketbook