The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1919-05-23
HIS RIVAL
BY N G. eROCAN.

AhS DSAl oNCl uCA hllllAuks
This devotion to gray yarn. in his pres
ence, had become tiresome. Antici-
pated happy hours were spoiled by
Gracie's absent-minded responses to
his personal conversatiOn-for Jimmie
was discussing the possibilities Of
their new home.
He had counted upon his fiancee's
enthusiasm and help, as they would
plan together the furnishings Of that
home which a a long-dreamed-of
goal. But during the stress Of war
time Oracle had been distract, indiffer-
ent. What could have caused the
change? Surely, oh, surely, and jim
mic had caught his breath at the
thought, she could not have ceased to
care; neither could anyone else have
come between them.
Night after night, and day after
day she had sat at his side here in her
mothers comfortable living room, with
no intruder to cause him %apprehen-
sion.
Shall We have the dining room in
delft blue, dearY" he had asked n
evening.
Minimum" murmured the girl unin-
telligibly, as she was counting stitches.
Or old rose?" queried jim.
Gracfe's eyes had rested for a mo-
ment upon him blankly. They were
very beautiful eyes, and the lover pa
tiently waited.
Presently Oracle rolled up the knit
ting and slipped it into her gay-colored
bag, coming close to rest her hand on
his shoulder. Jimmie" she had
begged. don't you think, at this trou-
bled time, that we ought to put all
thoughts OF personal comfort, and-er
triumph, from us in one devoted eff
fort to help the brave men who are
giving their very lives for our coun-
try? Just because you are a little be-
yond the age limit is no reason why
you should not sacrifice, too, in your
way. Marriage means added expense,
Jimmie. Yourself only to provide for,
you could give most generously to the
causes, and I am well cared for at
home. Later, in a peaceful time, we
might more conscienticVsly realize our
future JOY, but now"
Oracle had paused then, quite out
of breath. She was wondering what
else 1t was hat MyrH Baily told her.
Myra, a great Red Cross enthusiast,
had advised freely among her young
friends.
Jimmie. staring at his formerly sub
missiye sweetheart as though she had
struck him, told her that she could
not realize what she was saying and
Oracle, calmly opening the bag to re
gain her knitting, had dropped from
It's depths a crumpled note.
Flushing almost guilty, the girl
reached for the note, but Jfmfme fore
stalled her, and q jealous fash shone
In his fine eyes.
"Who is it from?' he fiercely asked
her.
Raising her chin defantly. Oracle
had admitted that the note was from
a soldier-the man for whom she had
been knitting.
"What right" demanded the angry
lover. has a strange man to CORE
spond with you?"
"The right OF courtesy" she had
crisply answered tits a letter Of
thanks for the sweater and helmet and
gloves, and"
Heaven knows, yOu must have ft-
ted him out completely Jfmime ac-
knowledged. xviii you let me see
that letter."
Grudgingly. the girl obeyed.
It had been his turn to flush then,
and the angry red creeping up to his
heavy, dark hair, leN Jim In an unen.
viable mood.
Sentimental stuff!" he muttered
disgustedly. Dreamed gratefully Of
his benefactress. while the warm
sweater sheltered him from the
breeze" Calls You his angel lady
"You are silly. Jimmie Taylor" she
said at last. YOU'D better ga home"
And abruptly her lover hsd gone.
After his departure Oracle s,noothed
carefully the extravagantly grateful
note. while a smile played about her
lips
OF course, she could not be actually
In love with the clever writer Of those
beautifully penned epistles. hut ro-
nance held her In its grasp-romance
and idealism. And he. Jim. must stand
aside until the fancy had passed.
Would 1t pass? Returning soon now,
perhaps, would this absent soldier seek
her out. and finding her more lovely
than even he could have dreamed,
would he make her ideal" q realiza-
tiOn1
Resolutely Jimmie kept away from
his beloved. Hers had been the fault.
he told himself-hers, Il she wished
Il, must be the undoing.
And evidently Oracle wished It.
III you will come tonight" called
her sweet voice over the phone. II will
show you my last letter-from the
soldier"
A laughing note in the request forced
Jim to ignore Its mOckery. Still for
bidding was his attitude rs he await