The Glenwood post. (Glenwood Springs, Colo.) 1897-current, 1919-09-20
The opportuni.t
a,
sy Ralph HAMILTON

Yes. you've done well, Marshall, We
all admit that You seemed to start
in business at just the right moment
Opportunity knocks only once at every
door, and You was ready to welcome
her, chr"
Nonsense" uttered Eben Marshall
Opportunity IL hanging around mon
Of the time, I've got her trained, soc:
I've made q science Of 1t. In fact, ]
call myself an expert a. an opportun.
ist."
Jim Ready nodded approvingly and
with profound admiration OF his for.
tunate acquaintance. Certainly Eben
had done well. He had struck Whar
ton Just as the boom Of that thriving
little town was beginning. He had
speculated in 4 new subdivision and
had doubled his Investment. He was
the first man to comprehend the prac-
ticability of starting a movie show, and
money flowed in. 20, .
"You see. Jim," he observed. there's
no helter-skelter in grabbing oppor-
tunity. You have to get so that you
recognize her when you meet her. Then
you have to know how to utilize her.
You've got to act just In time, and ex-
actly right, You've got to be shrewd.
diligent, sure Of your ground and con-
ndent and irresistible in your power.
Conf1dentially, I am now counting the
shy damsel along new lines. I've tried
opportunity in business. I'm going to
see how she is going to treat me In tho
matrimonial line"
you don't mean 1t, Aarshalli
didn't suppose you was much inter
ested In that way"
'Im interested in any way where an
advantage means money or my own
well being. For some time I've been
having my eye on Miss Eva Burton"
Jim uttered low whistle. II sayi"
he remarked, lyon aim high. Why, her
father is the richest man in Wharton
and she's the most refined, cultured
and beautiful girl in the district"
Eben did not like this, for, per con-
ira. as he was fully aware. he was
boorish, ignorant and decidedly un-
handsome. All the same he perked up,
ratified some coins in his pocket and
Hecked q speck Of dust from his newly
made coat rs If SO he would brush
away any obstacle that might come in
his path.
1--WE heard that Ross Adams had q
sort of fondness for Eva" went on
Jim speculatingly.
"Humph |" snorted Eben, eontsmptu-
ously. "That pauper! Writing books
and painting pictures. Fine prospects,
ehf I've got money and L amount to
something in this community. Watch
me prove 1t to pretty Eva when oppor
tunity hits my trail!"
Reckon Eben has begun his court
ing" soliloquized Jim about month
later, as he saw the opportunist in his
shiny, brand-new automobile speeding
down the street with Eva by his side.
wonder how Ross Adams feels about
TT Poor fellow! He's the match for
Eva, just the same, for she's educated
and artistic and all that, and Ross GER
tainly has written some beautiful
things" -.
Jim had transferred his glance to
young Adams, who had Just come out
Of the village post ONCE. His atten-
ton and interest were centered on q
letter he had just received. He stepped
into a sheltered doorway and opened
the envelope.
The inquisitive and interested Jim,
unobserved, had kept pace With him.
While casually lingering ut the curb
he watched every movement Of Ross
Adams. He noted that q sudden hash
of delight lit up his face. He fancied
he almost caught the echo Of \ wild
cry Of JOY from the lips Of the young
man. Down the street the latter start
ed. He almost ran, he seemed to tread
on ART
"Acts as II some rare good fortune
came with that letter." ruminated
Jim. "Mebbe opportunity has struck
him-whati"
Good news. indeed, grand news. had
Ross Adams received! Long deferred
hope had been rewarded. The letter
was from a city publlsher, accepting
4 series Of articles Ross had written
at a price that seemed fabulous to the
struggling young author and ordering
q second series.
Ross had not intended to 90 to .
general picnic whittier Eva and Eben
had been headed, but now. because he
knew he would find Eva there, he
started forthwith to seek her out, to
apprise her Of his good news and to
tell her furthermore that he was at
last In q position to think Of settling
down for life. toy
Now Eben had devoted this particu-
lar day to the goddess. Opportunity.
He had spread himself in the pur.
chase of the new automobile and e.
sayed to overwhelm Eva into sense
Of his importance and libsrality. He
had left Eva with some friends while
be went to negotiate for cruise with
the most snowy electric launch on the
n%