Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1909-06-16
1 RIVALS DOWNFALL
nut of Bitterness the Lovers
snliched Happiness.
sv ESTHER AlNsLEE.


:. DaIzell's store advertised sale of
elk dress goods in the Monday issue
!, the Rosemont Banner IT was GER
.o,ntv that the papers Tuesday night
n,mber would contain an ad. from
Thompson's store across the street tell
inc of bargains in satins. with side
limo of embroideries. at which Rose
mont smiled appreciatively and reaped
the benefit.
The town was proud of the proprie-
.ors of the two Leading dry goods
stores. for most of the young men left
for the adjacent big city when 1t came
time TO make their way In the world.
hut Malcolm Dalzell and Lewis Thomp-
son within year OF each other set
tIed down to make living In their
home town.
Perhaps it 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
tovusmen. a man cannot be blamed
for lack of magnetism and an attrac-
tive nature, but nevertheless he suf-
fers for it, and Thompson possessed
besides these drawbacks hot headed,
ouarrelsome disposition and a. 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 ene-
mics where Malcolm Dalzell won
friends by his mere cheerfulness and
diplomacy. But each flourished on his
own side Of the street.
Not only were they rivals in busi-
ness, but from the days of carrying
schoolbooks there had seemingly been
but one girl In the world in the eyes
of each. Milly 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
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
1ncreduously when stories of his cold
shrewdness and overreaching deals
came to her ears.
Yet unknown to herself Malcolm
Dalzell occupied a place In her life
from which no one could dislodge him.
Milly was in the delicious and dreamy
state Of indecislon 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 see the mistake of his ways
before he ever does anything really
wrong. Why. Dick wouldn't be really
bad. It's absurd
She was great chums with the hand
some eighteen-year-old brother. and
because she did have faith In him the
boy turned to her always In his rare
spells of repentance. At present he
had gone to work IN bank In 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 prled open and nearly
800 worth af silks and laces missing.
Three weeks later he was reduced to
explosive rage by the discovery that
again his store had been entered. This
une hundred dollars worth Of goods
vanished. In his wrath the owner of
the store telegraphed for a city de-
tecuVe and established night patrol
ior the block. The city detective look
co Important smoked good cigars Of
Tue leading citizens. who wanted to
tel him their theories as to the rob-
oery. had very pleasant time and de-
parted with dark hints as to future
developments.
AT any rate" Lewis Thompson said
vigorously, with Maloney on hand as
Waterman the thief won't get an
other CHANGER
IT'S hard luck, Lewis" sympathized
Maicolm Dalzell with his business ri
val Thompson regarded him coldly.
vi iate Milly had been in Dalzelrs
company more than he liked.
Thanks" he said. Its funny the
.aief doesn't attack your premises,
Malcoim. | don't understand such ia
'ori'lsm unless it's because he knows
"nere the best goods arer' He smiled
somewhat maltciously as he made the
fling.
superiority has its drawbacks,
.heh' Dalzell said quietly. holding his
Whper' Re understood Thompson's