The Starkville news. (Starkville, Miss.) 1902-1960, 1903-11-06

| to be equally honest with you Hike you
| both, you know that; and it would be
awfully hard to choose between you.
| But am much more merCenary and cold
| blooded than either of you believe or de-
serve | have lived all my life SO far in
comparative poverty. | love all the nice
| things of the world. | do not want love
in a cottage | am tired of cottages, any
| way If you still want me after what
/ have said, and am going to say,
l will wait five years, and then | will
marry the whichever of you can give
most abundantly the nice things of the
world. | know how aWfully bad it
sounds, but | do not feel exactly as
| though | was selling myself to mammon,
because really | have thought great
deal about both of you, and do not know
how to choose between you. So we will
put it wholly on the ground OF material
success-if you both are willing"
Agreed; responded Paul, eagerly,
without an instant's hesitation, Carrying
the hand he held to his lips passionately.
David looked long and earnestly into
the eyes of the girl and still longer into
the shadows Of the lawn.
And you will be absolutely fair and
honest in the matter, in all it's phases"
he said, finally.
"Absolutely," she replied, her color
deepening.
And at the end OF five years from to-
night, whichever of us two brings you
the biggest income you will marry re-
gardless of any other consideration? ?"
Il WILL" she replied.
Agreed" replied David. his great jaw
setting with that determination which
had been so often the precursor of vic
tory in the classroom and on the
campus.
The next day the battle began in
earnest. Neither of the young men had
much of a start, so far as their parents
were concerned, but both were well con-
nected. AS consequence, both were Of
fered positions with the Imperial InSur-
ance company at $50 per month to start.
This was easily the greatest institution
of the town, and offered the greatest pos
sibilities for advancement. David ac-
cepted the offer quietly but promptly.
Paul asked for a week to figure it over.
At the end of the week he went to the
office of the manager and thanked him
for the offer. but declined it. saying he
had some other plans. The town was
aghast Positions with the Imperial
were so eagerly sought and so highly
! priced by the young men of the town
that the idea of refusing one seemed al
most an evidence of finsanity-especially
| l., f,,Jf frin fo
on the board of directors and high in the
management. At the worst, it was lie
| Job as there were never any radical
changes in the Imperial. The town put
down a big black mark against Paul.
Several more black marks were given
him later as the months sped by, and
Paul f1oated along with the tide, doing
nothing but idle away his time and
| dream.
| 1t ran along about a gear, during
which David made a record for himself
at the Imperial by his energetic, con-
scientious and intelligent work. AL
| ready recognition had come to him, and
! he had been promoted from a mere clerk
ship to a position carrying with 1t some
responsibility. In the meantime, Paul
did nothing except read the papers and
| smoke favOrite meerschaum.
Something over year after David
had gone to work for the Imperial the
street railway company of the city was
attempting to build new line to GER
tain park. 1t was necessary to have the
| consent of majority of the frontage,
and there was sufficient opposition in
| certain quarters to prevent this. One
day the president of the street railway
company was surprised to receive
call from Paul Rider.
"How much is it worth to you to get
that Riverside line through?' asked
Paul.
sponded the president.
Il have figured out route where the
! frontage consent can be obtained" re-
piled Paul.
| LET me see it?" demanded the presi-
dent
mot until a price is fixed," replied
Paul, coldly.
"But, it is undoubtedly too long and
involved. and besides maybe the 'front.'
age consent could not be gained.
"How much will you give me If the
route suggest is feasible and get the
frontage consent?" asked Paul.
"a thousand dollars replied the
president
Paul reached for his hat and started
for the door.
"Wait a minute" said the president,
OBTAINING him.
The upshot of it was that Paul was
promised $4,000 if isroute was adopted