The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-11-14
The Danecrous Rival.
(By Arthur Wallace Peach-)

his fathers ONCE his attitude was
that of great respect and q little ex-
element, for outside he had just seen
the girl his father had hired for their
stenographer.
Father, she's q beauty. and she
looks a. IL she had brains!' Delmar
said. Where did you md herr"
The older man turned his smiling
face. I'm glad you admire my
choice; I suppose all you young cubs
in the building win be in love with
her: but give you warning-you
don't want to-"
'Well. it won't be hard. But who
IL she?"
"She is the daughter of Stanley
Vail: you know he went to the wall
with his business in a Southern city.
She had no money. and as had been
a friend Of her father, offered her
| a position when she applied to me.
She's shown good courage
"A month from now she will be
taking a life position with someone"
Mr.. Hammond sighed. Eyes. sup
pose 80. 1 hope it won't be until
after this court session We've got
| work ahead Of U.S."
When Delmar went out into the
| outer Office OF their small suite. he
| found his friend. Lindon Wallis. watt
ing for him: aud together they went
L AAeV 0C44uaF REAV6bG OA4C9s WAOA .
Wallis whirled ON him.
Man, where did you find such a
girl? Why, she ought to be a
model"
II don't know about that" an
swered Hammond. sharply.
well. she issa wonderfully pretty
girl. You must give me an introduce
! tion." Wallis urged.
"Wait till I've had one myself" re-
turned Hammond.
Wallis smiled. Now, Del. I warn
you. I've seen the girl OF my dreams.
and I intend to see more Of her in
spite of Hammond and Hammond.
give you fair warning"
Thanks: dad gave me warning.
| too. I'll be prepared. You seem to
| think I'm going to be q dangerous
rival. I'll give you tho compliment
| that I think you arc. You artistic
fellows score over q plain business
man every time"
Wallis smiled again. MAY the best
man win!'
Helen Keith proved to be not only
beautiful, but. AZ Mr.. Hammond the
elder had said, courageous, and as
| the younger had discovered, intelii-
gent
In spite Of Mr.. Hammond's warn
ing. Delmar found himself quickly in
love with her. Willis. too, fell VIC
tim of her charms. Every possible
pretext that he could ind brought
him to the law Office, and finally he
forced an Introduction through the
older lawyer.
Thereafter the race was open be-
| tween the two friends, and each
played his best cards. Wallis took
her to those gay gatherings where
magnetic men, dreamers, poets. writ
ers were present, making an atmos-
1 In 1frb he
Delmar employed other tactics; his
position In the younger set Of the city
giving him an opportunity to keen
her in touch with gentle folk and
gentle ways she had known In her
southern home.
So keen grew the feeling his father
warned him again that the friendshin
might suffer If they carried thiner
too far. Neither Of the young men
gave heed. however. and the matter
came to q crisis.
Delmar secured an engagement
with her for one Monday eveninr.
and. on appearing at the house where
she was staying. learned that she had
driven away with another man. The
maid from whom he extracted the in.
formation gave him NO further as
sistance in Identifying the man. but
| Oefmar guessed II was Wallis
It took Delmar a long tine In reach
hit She could have made mao mo- m Dsen hef 50
the matter Of the date; she HAD 6eIib-
erasely se 9s her preference for wallis.
began to wonder. II wallis had not
p,otted some scheme by which he was en-
eoled 70 take her that night. He would
Dc anything to win; He might have teie-
plans that enabled him to take Deirnsr's
pace: such = hish-handed move would
DeIn'aF began to realize that his imasi-
nation was getting the best Of him. and
ne decided to interview Wallis In the
He stopped in the latter's studio on the
way to his office. Wallis sat up on the
couch where he was making up for time
lost the previous night. and blinked ct his
tween them had BEEN n Stunned 1ieedan q the ne
breaking point.
Now, what's ON your mindr' wallis
deman3ed I'm glad you came to see
been scandal in the OFFICE
I'VE can strelGhten things out here. y
Delmar said calmly. 'T inst want to ash
with me: Did you have anything to DC
With breaking my date last night With
and I want to know sf ron had .pv-
thing to do With my engagement with her
last night? I went there. and found she
had gone With another chap. I thought
l"And I thought II vas your fired bach
DelmAr.
Each explained the situation rs he saw
.nS Zach fenn% d., he t nss =, %ist.sn -,
ennther chap. heard . friend of herr
from the south had been up hare. after
her. I'll bet they made or last night and
tbs TINS we've Dsen rnakinx fools oi
oursolves.~ sajd Wallis Rl00mf1y.
s-Thoro n 9nmeth1ng funny in thu. Dad
sW1<nod me. He must hAve Known sn<