The Mellette County pioneer. [volume] (Wood, Mellette County, S.D.) 19??-1971, 1919-06-27
The Rivals
By ALVAH JORDAN GARTH
1919. By w.st.r. Newspaper Union.


rather than suspiciously. Each scan
ned the other in a fathoming sort OF
way, as though seeking to read his
thoughts or to determine from gen
eral appearance or facial expression
how the world had Jared with him,
for they had not met to speak for two
years.
There was a sharp contrast between
the two. Alden Dale, plainly but neat
ly dressed, suggested the student and
thinker.
Garland Eyre, flashing eyed, mobile
Of lips, restless and erratic in his
movements, suggested the typical
broker, ever On the alert and under a
strain. He ~covertly observed the suit
case, ~momentarily constructing a
theory as to its presence. "Off on a
train, l sect" he remarked.
"Why, yes" replied Alden in his
straightforward way. I'm going home
for a week or two"
wish l could arrange to do that.
Believe I'll try said Eyre, his under
lying purpose camOuflaged, for Alden
detected the thin disguise Of general
ity. "Pd like to loaf around the old
burg for a spell. How have the fates
dealt with you, Dale"
PLEASANTLY" answered Alden. 81
was admitted to the bar in August and
they honOred me with an appointment
with the Law Protective league. The
compensation is only a livelihood, but
it is useful work and fine legal train
ing, and l have written q book or two,
and that has helped out"
"ShOw you something" bOlted out
Eyre, and he took a handbook from
his pocket. That's mel"
His were all money values, as he
showed the chronicle Of bank bal
ances approximating thirty thousand
dollars. promoted the Casa Grande
Realty company, you know" he said.
"Why, | read something lately in the
newspaper that the company had
failed" observed Alden.
Eyes, we hit a snag and they landed
a receiver down or U.S." admitted
Eyre lightly, but we've reorganiZed.
Money coming both ways, see? The
investors have come on with q pro
rata assessment, so we are still gath
ering in the shekels. Got to attend
a meeting of the directors" he added,
~glancing at his watch and flashing his
bediamOnded hand effectively, $50
good-by. l say, though, a pretty neat
surplus for two years, eh?"
Alden went on his way immersed in
thought. There was a strong distaste
in his mind as he reflected over what
Eyre had just told him. The Casa
Grande had been denominated a swim
die in the public prints. "Milked dry
by its exploiters," it was declared.
1.-TWO yearsT The words comprised
a text for some meditation. When the
two young men had left their native
village both were in love with Myrtle
Robbins. By a queer coincidence both
had decided to try their fortunes in
the city, and in turn they had visited
bluff, straightforward Peter Robbins
and had intimstsd their feelings to-
ward Myrtle.
well" said Mr.. Robbins, "what you
are after is to get me to allow Myrtle
to keep up a correspondence with you?
Plainly-no. You are promising young
fellows, and I wish you all kinds of
luck, and Myrtle likes you both, but
she is too young to think Of a beau.
In two years, when you have shown
your business mettle, come back here.
SO Alden and Eyre had to be content
with that, and now the twO-year peri
cd was up and the n thought in the
mind Of Alden was Myrtle. And Gar
land Eyre attended no directors meet.
ing, but, hurrying to his hotel, packed
his grip forthwith and reached Virden
one train later than Alden.
I'm q showdown / feel pretty sure
that old Robbins will favor my fat
bank roll" he chirped cOmplacently,
and, being of the brassy, push-ahead
kind, by nightfall of the next day all
Virden knew of his diamonds and
gaudy attire and bank roll. When that
evening he called at the Robbins home
IL Was Ill a DlS HlIcu liOloiSuA, ohu hS
spent two hours talking mainly of him
self and his glittering prospects fol-
wealth. He fancied he had impressed
Myrtle greatly, %attributing her sub
i. dued manner to awe and admiration
, If he had been present during tn
, visit Of Alden the following evening
, however, Eyre would not have felt s;
/, sure of himself. Father and daughter
. had heard of his work in the city, par
. ticularly of his writings. The modes
I young author vas duly delighted whei
I he found both Myrtle and her fatheI
I familiar with the anne Before tn
I week was out, In turn the young mel
called upon Mr.. Robbins requesting
permission to pay their addresses t.
Myrtle.
Alas! for the lofty aspiration of tn
reorganizer of Casa Grande. Tn
! morning paper announced the issuanc
: Of a fraud order against It's promoter