The Little River news., 1921-07-27
Randal's Great Catch"
@. 1921. Western Newspaper Unlon.)
By HAZEL SMITH

@. 1921. Western Newspaper Union)
 "Randal can go to college now, Uncle Seth. All the arrangements are made. It is the happiest thought of my life, to realize that it is my power to show you some appreciation of all you and your family have done for me-"
 Boy, there never was a truer, bet ter man than you!"
 David Prescott walked slowly across the Burton farm. His heart was pret- ty full. He loved the old man who had been his best friend since he was left an orphan at an early age. The flush and thrill of good deed, how ever, were robbed of some of their glamour as David thought of the per- son most benef1ted-Randal Burton.
 In his own mind David did not be- lieye the old mans son worthy of the sacrifice he was making for him.
 Things were at tight pinch at Bur- ton farm, with little or no cash re- serves.
 "You see," David had explained to his uncle, there's q reclamation prof. ect to drain Rock Valley, and no one knows every crook and turn of the old river as I do. I have convinced the commissioners of 1t, too. They have offered me a two years position as superintendent of the upper dam. l am to get $1,5OO 6 year. Half of that for two years will carry Randall through the city law school.
 So it was settled. With great flourish of trumpets Randall Burton departed for the city.
 The best that was In David came out He had said that no one knew the river as he did, and David now demonstrated the fact. Within . month the engineers on the project found his knowledge g valuable ad- junct to their technical processes. At the end of six months the engineers reported that his discovery of shale obstruction had saved them ten thou sand dollars. The commis& onsrS promptly advanced his salary twenty five per cent.
 Time wore on. David found time to take up engineering and study eve nings. At the holidays Randall came home. The next vacation David was disappointed to see how little real law education the boy was acquiring.
 "Confldentially, between me and you." said Randall, Y don't think as much of the law as I did. A smat. tering will be enough to help me put up my shingle. Truth is Dave, I've made a catch"
 "What kind of a catch?" inquired his cousin.
 Miss Dorothy Vance. Father mil. lionaire. You'll see her when she comes."
 In due time vacation days came around, and Randall returned to the farm. Mir. Burton was grieved, .nnd Dave disappointed. Randall went down to the depot one morning to escort Miss Dorothy to the home of the Del- c0mbeS.
 The little lady insisted on walking. As they crossed e bridge, her atten- tion was called to a gang of workmen sinking hollow wooden tube in mud hole at the bank of the river. The man who was guiding it stood below, half sunk ih the slimy clay. It was David Prescott. He waved his hand in friendly greeting to his cousin.
 "Come on." spoke Randall hurriedly. "This is not at all interesting"
 But that man waved his hand to you"
 "Oh, some mudlark of the crew, suppose" responded Randall.
 He doesn't look like a mudlark," " said Dorothy
 The irritated Randall managed to draw his interested companion away from the scene. He escorted his charge to her friends. Randall called at the DelcombeS' home next morn ing, primed for that vaunted proposal.
 Mrs. Delcombe. informed him that Miss Vance had started away for a walk along the river. Dorothy had learned that Randall was not the am bilious striving idol she had made of him. She learned of the noble sacri- flee of his cousin.
 "The deuce !" exclaimed Randall Bur ton, as he arrived at the bank of the river
 There was the truant lady. She was conversing with David.
 Randall came up, brash and braggart as ever. He tried to take Miss Dor othy under his own especial wing. The willful little miss continued h. terested over the wonderful river proj- ect.
 q suppose I can call this evening"" submitted Randall in rather a grum- bling tone.
 "Oh certainly" smiled the fascin- atins little miss: 'only be sure to bring your cousin. MT. Prescott, with you. He is the most delightful young man have ever met.
 There Is an end to everything, and the end of Randall Burton's careless ambitions was a position in a city of- flee as a sec0nd-ra0 stenographer.
 The end of David's acquaintance with pretty Dorothy was wooang. Y,hn u,oo;p1 opdod in q woddinp and