The Kenna record. (Kenna, Roosevelt County, N.M.) 190?-1924, 1917-12-28
LONGS RWAL
py JOIN ELKlNs.


compsny's office, and laying by a lit
Gle 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 sort Of desperation seized upon
him at his pOwerlessness to at once
strike out into larger fields. He
couldn't ask a 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 drlfted along in
the enjoyment of Alden Longs society.
taking pleasure In the modest little
treats he gave her, and not making it
ut 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 a
friend Of the aunts 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-
lions, his suspicious. aroused and jeal-
Ousy gripped him. The browning blow
came one day when he beheld Anne
being whifled along in a very hand
some car. with Mr.. Amos Mead. It
was then he found out from the man
with him that Mead was very rich
man, in fact millionaire. His heart
went down in his boots. So he called
mp Anne and arranged to see her. He
did not notice any change in her man
Aer. He even thought she was kinder
than usual, and ne was on the point of
bringing matters to a 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
smillngly from an automobile where
she sat beside Amos Mead speeding
past him on the avenue. He seemed
20 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
TIM finest md most expensive in the
city, and the two went in together.
$50 It has got that farW thought
Long. 'SThey 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-
pboning. AS he rushed into the room
no overheard Mead saying:
"Why, yes, little girl; have the
cream wall instead of the gray, If you'd
rather"
Long confronted the two with a
rather futile attempt at being calm.
Pardon me,7 he said, ''but, Miss
Waters, may see you alone for few
mlnutes?"
Certainly" she answered. And
with q smile at the other man which
seemed TO indicate a very. good under
standing between them, Mr.. Mead dis
creetly Withdrew.
Il suppose be said, '1ts idiotic
madness for me to speak. You must
have known all the time I was just
crazy about you--and--"
He paused, his voice choking. Anne's
faee was inscrutahle.
Il thought" ale said, "you just
meant to be good friend. These
dnys a girl meets so many men who
emily want to 1lirt. or be friends; It
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, 81 did not see. You
were always speaking about your
EInall salary, and being too poor to
ipSrry, / thought you meant It as
solemn warning to me not to think
Won meant anything by your attentions
further than friendship"
That's a very nice, tactful way -ff
letting me down easily. / appreciate
your consideration. I ought to have
known better then 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. l see the windows have been
boarded up for some time"
Yes and It's going to be beautiful !"
exclaimed Anne. I've had my own
way about It all. You know 1 studied
interior decorating. Aunt Jennics
room is just a dre0m~
Alden Long stood up, white and de
iermlned.