The Meeker herald., 1915-05-29
A RIVALS
DOWNFALL
Out Of Bitterness the Lovers
Drew Happiness.
BY ESTHER AINsLEE.

BLK dress EOOuS I'D tHe Mouuhy toSue
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 nppreciatively 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 1t came
time to make their way in the world.
but Malcolm Dalzell and Lewis Thomp'
son within year Of each other set
tied down to make a 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
tOwnsmen A man cannot be blamed
for lack of magnetism and an attrac-
tive nature. but nevertheless he sur
fcrs for it. and Thompson possessed
besides these dra backs bot headed.
luarrelsome disposition and a theory
that every man had a right to look out
for himself to the exclusion Of any pos
sible rights OF others.
His nggressiveness made him enc
mics where Malcolm Dalzell won
friends by his mere cheerfulness and
diplomacy. But each fourished on his
own side of the street
Not only were they rivals In busi-
ness. hut 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 1t, 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 Ailly. who had never
shown any preference between the
two.
Lewis Thompson was a different
man with her. Her mere presence
smoothed and softened the aggressive
young business man. and she smiled
tncredulousIy when stories OF bis cold
shrewdness and overreaching deals
came to her ears.
Yet unknown to herself Malcolm
Dnlzeii occupied place in her life
from which NO one could dislodge him.
Miiiy was in the delicious and dreamy
state Of lndecisIon 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
momentnriiy.
IFS 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
had. Its absurd"
She was great chutns with the hand,
some eighteen-year-old brother. and
because she did have fnith 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 aud
denunciation when Thompson's store
was robbed. MalefactOrs were rare In
Roseg,Ont. and the night watchman's =
work was perfunctory. but neverthe-
less Lewis Thompson discovered a
back window pried open and nearly
5000 worth of silks and laces missing.
Three weeks later he was reduced to
explosive rage by the discovery that
agnin his store had been entered. This
time Il hundred dollars worth OF goods
vanished In his wrath the owner OF
the store telegraphed for city detec.
tive and established night patrol for
the block. The city detective looked
Important, smoked the cigars of the
leading citizens. who wanted to tell
him their theories as to the robbery,
had Il very pleasant time and departed
with dark hints as to future develop
ments.
"At any rate" Lewis Thompson saln
vigorously. with Maloney on hand as
Waterman the THIEF won't get Hi
other chance!'
Its hard luck. Lewis" synIpathized
Malcolm Dalzell with his business ri
val. Thompson regarded him coldly
OF late Milly had been in Dalzell's
company more than he liked
Thanks" he said. Its funny the
thief doesn't nttack your premises.
Malcolm. don't understand such In
vOritism unless It's because he knows
where the best goods are!' He smiled
somewhat mnIiciously ns he made the
fling.
Superiority has its drawbacks
then" Dalzell said quietly. holding his
temper. He understood Th0mpson's
grudge against him and could afford to
be magnaniniUus. for he had begun to
| cherish n certainty that he had dis
tanced Thompson with Miliy. For her
he would endure much.
Lewis Thomson did not relax his