The Democratic advocate., 1909-06-25
A RIVAL s DOWNFALL
Out Of Bitterness the Lovers
SnatChed Happiness.
Rx EsTHER AlNsLEE.

BY ESTHER AiNSLEE.
copyright, 1909 by Associated Literary
Press.l
If Dalzelps store advertised sale OF
silk dress goods In the Monday issue
Of the Rosemont Banner 1t was GER
tainty that the papers Tuesday night
number would contain an ad. from
Thompson's store across the street tell
ing of bargains in satins, with side
line of embroideries, at which Rose.
mont smiled appreciatively and reaped
the benefit
The town was proud Of the proprie-
tors of the two leading dry goods
stores, for most OF the young men left
for the adjacent big city when it came
time to make their way in the world,
but Malcolm Dalzel and Lewis Thomp-
son within year Of each other set
tied down to make a living in their
home town.
Perhaps 1t were better to say Rose
mont was proud of their enterprise, for
Lewis Thompson was not the type to
inspire affection in the hearts OF his
townsmen. A man cannot be blamed
for lack Of magnetism and an attrac.
tive nature, but nevertheless he suf.
fers for 1t, and Thompson possessed
besides these drawbacks a hot headed,
quarrelsome disposition and theory
that every man had right to look out
for himself to the exclusion OF any pos.
sible rights Of others.
His aggressiveness made him enc
mics where Malcolm Dalzell won
friends by his mere cheerfulness and
diplomacy. But each fiourished on his
own side Of the street
Not only were they rivals in bust.
ness, but from the days Of carrying
sehoolbooks there had seemingly been
but one girl in the world In the eyes
Of each, Mllly Wainwright. with the
waves Of soft brown hair and eyes
that matched, with the sweet voice
and appealing little ways.
Shrewd people even said the reason
both boys stayed IN Rosemont was that
each was afraid to leave the other a
clear field with Milly, who had never
shown any preference between the
two.
Lewis Thompson was different
man with her Her mere presence
smoothed and softened the aggressive
young business man, and she smiled
increduously when stories OF his cold
shrewdness and oyerreaching deals
came TO her ears.
Yet unknown 10 herself Malcolm
Dalzell occupied a place I'm her life
from which no one could dislodge him.
Mllly was IN the delicious and dreamy
state Of indecision which girl always
prolongs unwittingly. Life was sweet
to her and even the growing wildness
of her younger brother. Dick. which
was aging her father and mother, had
not power TO do more than depress her
momentarily
"Its only because Dick is young.
she told her mother half Indignantly.
HE will zee the mistake OF his ways
before he ever does anything really
wrong Why Dick wouldn't be really
bad. It's absurdp'
She was great chums with the hand.
some eighteen-year-old brother, and
because she did have faith in him the
boy turned 10 her always In his rare
spells Of repentance. At present he
had gone TO work in bank I'm the next
town, six miles distant
The Rosemont Banner had two col.
umns OF description, speculation and
denunciation when Thompson's store
was robbed Malefactors were rare in
Rosemont, and the night watchman's
work was perfunctory, but neverthe.
less Lewis Thompson discovered a
back window pried open and nearly
500 worth Of silks and laces missing
Three weeks later he was reduced "a
explosive rage by the discovery that
again his store had been entered. This
time hundred dollars worth Of goods
vanished. In his wrath the owner OF
the store telegraphed for a city de
tectlve and established night patrol
for the block. The city detective look
ed important, smoked good cigars Of
bhN iIldllE NAAiLtllNs VIM nAHAfn u
tell him their theories as TO the rob
berry. had a very pleasant time and de
parted with dark hints as to future
developments.
"At any rate" Lewis Thompson said
vigorously, with Maloney on hand af
a watchman the thief won't get an
other chancer'
TITS hard luck, Lewis" sympathized
Malcolm Dalzel with his business ri
val. Thompson regarded hlm coldly
OF late Milly had been In Dalzelrs
company more than he liked.
Thanks" he said. Its funny this
thief doesn't attack your premises
Malcolm. l don't understand such ia
foritism unless it's because he knows
where the best goods are| lie smiled
somewhat maliciously as he made th'
fling.
Superiority has its drawbacks
then" Dalzell said quietly, holding his
temper. lie understood Thompson'f
grudge against him and could afford Il
be magnanimous, for he had begun e
cherish certainty that he had dis
tanced Thompson with Milly. For hei
he would endure much.
Lewis Thompson did not relax his
vigilance as the weeks went by One
Thursday night, as he made one of hi
personal trips Of inspection. about
o'clock he started for his store on 0
run after finding the watchman. Ma
loney. knocked senseless at the corner
And he was rewarded. The revolver
in his hand covered the dark form Of
the man standing at the rear window