The Watertown news. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1917-1919, 1917-06-29
LONGS RIVAL
BY JOHN ELKINS.


tie each week, had always been think
Ing Of the time when he could have
his own business. But the little pile
grew very slowly, and one day when
he found himself In love with his cou-
sins chum, Anne Waters, the pile
seemed Of such very puny proportions
that a sort Of desperation seized upon
him at his powerlessness to at once
strike out into larger fields. He
couldn't ask girl like Ann to share
his small salary, and even If she
would, that meant an end to the laying
by Of anything to start for himself.
AS for Anne, she drifted along In
the enjoyment of Alden Longs society,
taking pleasure in the modest little
treats he gave her, and not making 1t
at all certain to him whether she
would say yes or no to the momentous
question If he should ask it.
One evening Long met at Anne's
home an elderly gentleman, Amos
Mead by name. Concluding he was
friend Of the aunt's he paid not much
attention to the caller. But when he
found Mr.. Amos Mead there on several
other occasions, and noticed the way
in which the gentleman looked at
Anne, and his almost lOverlike atten-
tons, his suspicious aroused and jeal-
ousy gripped him. The browning blow
came one day when he beheld Anne
being whirled along in very hand
some car, with Mr.. Amos Mead. It
was then he found out from the man
with him that Mead was a very rich
man, In fact millionaire. His heart
went down In his boots. So he called
up Anne and arranged to see her. He
did not notice any change In her man.
ner. He even thought she was kinder
than usual, and he was on the point Of
bringing matters to q crisis and ask
ing her to choose between him and
Amos Mead when Marion Black came
In, and the opportunity was gone.
The next day Anne bowed to him
smilingly from an automobile where
she sat beside Amos Mead speeding
past him on the avenue. He seemed
to have received his answer then and
there. But he meant to have it from
her own lips. AS fate would have 1t,
he ran upon the pair later in the day.
Their car stopped before furnishing
and decorating establishment, one Of
the finest and most expensive In the
city, and the two went In together.
$50 1t has got that far" thought
Long. 'They are even selecting the
wall paper and furniture for the
house," And his usefulness to his
firm was as nothing for the rest Of the
day.
In desperation. he sought Anne that
evening, without any preliminary tele-
phoning. AS he rushed into the room
he overheard Mead saying:
"Why, yes, little girl; have the
cream wall instead of the gray, If you'd
rather"
Long confronted the two with
rather futile attempt at being calm.
Pardon me-" he said, "but, Miss
Waters, may see you alone for few
minutes2"
Certainly" she answered. And
with a smile at the other man which
seemed to indicate a very good under
standing between them, Mr.. Mead dis
creetly withdrew.
II suppose" he said, 'ft's idiotic
madness for me to speak. You must
have known all the time was just
crazy about you-and-"
He paused, his voice choking. Anne's
face was fnscrutable.
II thought" she said, "you just
meant to be a good friend. These
days a girl meets so many men who
only want to f1irt, or be friends; 1t
doesn't do to wear your heart on your
sleeve. have too much pride for
that"
"Oh, but you must have seen"
"No," she said, II did not see. You
were always speaking about your
small salary, and being too poor to
marry. I thought you meant it as a
solemn warning to me not to think
you meant anything by your attentions
further than friendship"
THAT'S very nice, tactful way Of
letting me down easily. I appreciate
your consideration. I ought to have
known better than to have even spoken
when millions were in the balance
against me. I suppose you will soon
be opening up the big house ON the
avenue. I see the windows have been
boarded up for some time"
Eyes, and it's going to be beautiful !"
exclaimed Anne. give had my own
way about it all. You know studied
interior decorating. Aunt Jennie's
room is just dreamW
Alden Long stood up, white and de-
termined.
you're not married to him yet J" he
said. 1T isn't too late. You must
choose between u.s."
For answer she went to the door
and beckoned. Amos Mead entered.
"Here's Alden" she smiled, asking
me to choose between you and him.
Did you ever hear of anything so
foolish? Just as though would ever
give you up!' And she slid her hand
affectionately through the elderly
mans arm.
Long, with q murmured good-by,
turned to go, but Mead stopped him.
"Wait!" he said. II only want to
make Anne happy. want to give her
everything she wants. If she wants
you, she has only to speak. am
adopting her as my daughter, and
there's lots of room in that big house
for one more. Let Anne decide"