Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1920-09-09
The Rivals.
By sAIDEE E. BALLOON
e. 1920. western Newspaper

couraged his employees to faithful sery-
ice by distributing very liberal bonus.
He rather favored Pearce Mantel and
Rodney Harper, distant relatives. 1t
FAIRLY took Mantell Off his feet to have
nve hundred dollars in lump. 1t set
MIN dreaming. AS to Harper, he felt
that the nest egg of fortune had
come to him.
Pearce Mantell signalized his good
fortune by equipping himself for
splurge. He had always longed to
have an automobile and sleek, smart
auto salesman found no difficulty in
prevailing upon Mantell to pay two
hundred dollars down on bright and
shining car. Mantell anticipated his
usual two weeks vacation, Indifferent
to the odd hundreds in monthly in
stallments that he would have to pay
later on.
There was road between Acton and
the city where for over half mile
slantlng descent followed tortuous
course of sharp curves, with high
bluffs at either side. Here one after
noon there were strung along as many
as twenty cars. The cause of the
stoppage could not be ascertaned, as
the curves shut out all view ahead.
Finally motorist ventured to edge
along the side of the road, to come
upon Mantell, his machine ut Il stand
still and he coolly wiping the dust
from his auto. He had arranged to
take Miriam Dale to the city 10 at
tend to some shopping, and wanted TO
have the auto look it's very best to
dazzle the senses of the prettiest girl
in Acton.
Mantell chuckled serenely as he es-
capped the jeers and chidings of the
Automobiles he had kept in waiting
and sped on to call for Miriam. That
charming marvel Of femininity he had
been counting once week for several
months. Rodney Harper had done
the same. Mantell felt very sanguine
and superior with his new acquisition,
the automobile. Then, too, he fancied
himself generally a good deal of ~
sport" while Harper was only a
plodder. Mantell was employed in
the offices of the Dayton establish
ment. Harper's duties were those of
buyer His province was to purchase
what supplies the factory required. U.s.
ually they were ordered per freight or
express from various manufacturing
centers, but when it was some light
stuff, hurriedly needed, Tim Ruggles
an old employee, drove to the city in
an ancient canopled wagon and gath
cred up what was required.
Upon the day when Mantell was
aiming to impress pretty Miriam with
due sense Of his Importance, it
CHANGED that some articles were very
much needed for the next days work
at the factory. Tim was home ill,
and Harper volunteered to act as his
substitute. He slipped on old Tins
overall suit and was five miles Oh his
way. when an imperious honk honk
was followed by an automobile whizz-
ing by him. 1t threw up cloud OF
dust, but not SO dense that 1T hid
from Harpers eyes smiling face and
q genially waved hand. Miriam, seated
beside Mantell, pleased and happy,
was never forgetful Of courtesy.
Mantell left Miriam ut store,
arranging to call for her ut five
o'clock. He then drove up to the curb
awaiting her appearance. She did not
come, for he had mistaken another
mercantile establishment for the point
Of meeting. When he ascertained his
blunder he fastened to the right
store to find 1t closed for the day. He
was an easily ratified youth, drove
about wildly, turned corner in toe
much Of hurry, ran into another ma
! chine, Wrecking 1t, and was hailed uI
| to the police station for reckless driv
ing.
Poor Miriam was distressed whel
she had waited an hour beyond the
| appointed time and no Mantell APP
peared. Dusk was coming on and rair
threatened. Finally she took the troll
/ ley line. which ran within five miles
Of Acton, burdened with bundles anl
timorously starting down the dark ant
! lonely road homeward bound, &
daunted maid as to courage, and angry
! at her chevalier's unuccountable de
sertlon. Her feet were encased witt
mud, her clothing and bundles soppint
wet. A vehicle came up behind her
why, Miriam!" spoke the heart
some, welcoming voice of Rodne,
Harper, alone! Here? Whatever ha!
happened to Mantell?" and Miriam
nestled close to Rodney under tllt
canopy Of the front seat, thankful
relieved mortal, and forgot all he
troubles.
I've got to stop minute at til,
old Beardsley cottage" spoke Rodney
as they entered the town. ITS vacant
you know, and | have bought it ant
am going to fix it up. BY leaving som,
paint and hardware there now it will
save another journey tomorrow
"You won't live there all alone, will
you, Rodney?" propounded artles
Miriam.
She unconsciously invited an expla
nation, urged on by realization OF
the part Of Rodney Of her bewitchln
prettiness.
ooh, no, Miriam" he responded
mot until l find wife to keep it IL
order for me, and, Miriam, will 70,
come and be that to me if ask you?
Amid gloom, darkness, rain, tn
spontaneous proposal came, but a
Miriam chung to his arm and hung he
head, Rodney Harper fancied all tn
world was aglow with rainbows an,
| RunShinal