The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1921-10-14
WHICH?
BY DOROTHY |. DUFF.

W. AsNi' Ny McSiure Newspaper Syndlcate.l
We were gathered on the hotel plaz-
"a, four former classmates who had
not met for year. 1t was a glorious
reunion, and Of course each had a
story to tell. Kitty Is a teacher Of
languages. Nell is now Eleanor Marsh
Whitney, authoress; Alice, the class
beauty, Is married; while am set
Element worker.
MY story?" asked Nell, In answer to
Kitty's question, "Well, yes, | have a
story to tell, but it Is about someone
else.n
Let's hear it." we all cried, and SO
she began:
when Billy Appleton struck New
York he had with him a suitcase con-
tanning his clothes, 5000 and picture
of Elsie Hill, in a silver frame.
BILLY was designer of ability. He
loved the work, much to the disap-
pointment of his father, who thought
the boy would quickly tire of art If
left to himself, and would return
home ready to enter business.
Back in Portland, Conn.,, where Bill
ly was born, Appleton & Co. WIS the
leading dry goods store, and Mr.. APP
pleton was Portland's most prominent
citizen. Proud OF the fact, Mr.. Apple
ton had his mind all made up that his
only son should follow In his footsteps.
Billy, however, had other plans. He
wanted to be something more than
big toad In small puddle-he wanted
to be famous. And so, with only 5000
in his pocket and his fathers anger on
his head, he struck out for New York.
"0f course, he hated to leave Elsie,
but fellow had to have his chance in
business before he could get married,
anyway. Billy, with the confidence Of
youths assured Elsie that he would
soon make his fortune and then she
could come to New York and they
would live happily ever afterward.
"But Billy soon discovered that life
In New York was very different from
life in Portland. In Portland he lived
in big white house with lawn in
front; he had two horses and little
runabout; he had an adorlng mother,
whose whole time seemed to be taken
up III doing things for Billy. In New
York he lived in one small hall bed
room, without a cheerful thing In 1t
except Elsie's pretty face. The ele-
waited train rumbled by night and day
and made him wish with all his might
for Portland. And the land!ady
seemed to be ever present with her
hand out to take some of Billy's
precious cash.
"ln Portland he bird been the one
and only designer; but here in New
York! Well, here in New York every
body seemed to be q designer
"At last, however, Billy found job;
not very good one, but at least q
job which would feed him and pay
his room rent with a little to spare.
He was set to work designing borders
and figures which were to be used on
'hS pcdulllul NIuuONS Huue ny tllhl
firm for churches and public buildings.
about this time the firm offered
prize to their employees for the best
design for window. Billy had many
IDEAS, and he worked all his spare time
on that design. He wrote to Elsie
about 1t; all his work was for her.
Every girl he saw he compared with
ler, much to the strangers disparage-
nent.
"And then he met Adele. It was !
quite unexpected, and Billy's heart |
thrilled as 1t had never thrilled before. |
adele's eyes were as black as midnight,
md she had straight black hair, quite
| contrast to little golden-haired Elsie
With the blue eyes. Adele was won
lerful girl. She liked to dance and
BILLY liked to dance, and 1t took all Of
lis spare change to pay for the din
lers and the theaters and the flowers
which Adele demanded. Billy himself
vas in the seventh heaven of delight,
md time flew for him much faster
han ever before.
"At last came day when Billy was
warded the prize for the window de-
ign. He was wild with joy, for with
/ he also received a substantial In
rease in salary. Now Elsie could
ONE to the city, was his first thought,
ow they could be married and be for
yer happy.
"But did he want to marry Elsie7
What of Adele? He loved Elsie, oh,
es, nobody could doubt that; but
ldn't he love Adele? Elsie seemed
Ike dream, while Adele was an ever
resent reality.
"And then Billy Appleton had the
ardest day of his life. He was at his
its end. He sat down and looked at
heir pictures. When he looked at
Isle he was sure that he loved her
nd no one else; but when he looked
t Adele he was not so sure. Would
uiet little Elsie be happy in the noisy
Ity? Would Adele be happy In quiet
ortland? i:
"About midnight Billy wrote letter
{ proposal. Should he send 1t to Ell
e? Or to Adele? Then slowly, slowly
e slipped 1t into the envelope and
lst as slowly addressed 1t. He put
b his hat and coat and went out.
fter a moments thought he dropped