The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1921-03-23
The Rivals
By ALvAH JORDAN GARTH
lcsDyngAf. 1913. By western Es~spaDss usisa.

Two young men met on the crowded
city street and shock hands, gfngeriy
rather than suspiciously. Each scan
ned the other in 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 q 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 q
strain. He covertly observed the suit
case, momentarily constructing a
theory as TO its presence. Ion on a
train. ! seei" he remarked.
"Why, yes" replied Alden In his
straightforward way I'm going home
for a week or two
WiSH GOuIu u uD
Believe I'll try" said Eyre, his under
lying purpose camoufaged, for Alden
detected the thin disguise OF general
ity. I'D like to loaf around the old
burg for spell How have the fates
dealt with You, DaleT'
pleasantly" answered Alden. Il
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 aud fine legal train
ing, and have written a book or two,
and that has helped out"
''Show you something's 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 appro1imating 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.
YES, we hit a snag and they landed
n receiver down on us" admitted
Money coming both ways, see? The
investors have come on with 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. so
gOod-by. / 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. MIXED dry
By its exploiters," it was declared.
two years" 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 queer coincidence both
had decided to try THAR fortunes In
the city, and in turn they had visited
bluff, straightforward Peter Robbins
and had intimated their feelings to
ward Myrtle.
"Well," said Mr.. Robbins, what you
are after Is to get me 20 allow Myrtle
to keep up a correspondence with you?
Rlainly-no. You are promising young
fellows, and / wish You ~all kinds Of
luck, and Myrtle likes you both, but
abe is too young to think Of a beau.
LIN two years, when you have shown
your business mettle, come back here.
So Alden and Eyre had to be content
Cd was up and the one thought In tbs
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 a 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
Virdsn knew of his diamonds and
gaudy attire and bank roll. When that
evening he called ut the Robbins home
Ii was in big hired motorcar, and he
spent two hours talking mainly Of him.
self and his glittering prospects for
wealth. He fancied he had impressed
Myrtle greatly, attributing her sub
dued manner to awe and admiration.
II he had been present during the
visit OF Alden the following evening,
however. Eyre would not have felt so
sure Of himself Father and daughter
had heard OF his work In the city, par
ticularly OF his writings. The modest
young author was duly delighted when
he found both Myrtle and her father
familiar with the same. Before the
week was out, in turn the young men
called upon Mr.. Robbins requesting
permission to pay their addresses to
Myrtle.
Alas for the lofty aspiration OF the
reorganizer of Casa Grande. The
morning paper announced the issuance
OF fraud order against its promoters
and levy on the stockholders against
all their bank funds, including Eyre's
thirty thousand dollars The latter
found 1t judicious to return at once TO
the city to untangle his involved bust
ness affairs.
When Alden Dale called upon Mr..
Robbins next day the latter viewed
him with an approving eye.
ITO help you on your way. Dale, "
said the old man. paternally, "In say
that Myrtle has kept your photograph
ON the wall of her room ever since you
went away. IL she likes you as well
as she did your books your case In
won and-pm agreeablsi"
chlna's Heir Apparent