The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1922-02-28
THE RIVAL.
By Miss Anne Richards.

4 by 1ulbS AHnO hAChAA OSs
| Copyright, 1922, by Wheeler Syn
| dictate, Inc)
It was an attractive room, this
nest in the big apartment building
which was home to her, and one
knew that she loved it, seeing the
affectionate look with which she
gave it greeting. Throwing her hat
over the couch, she accepted the
| invitation of the bright-cushioned
gray wicker chair and opened the
letter which she had picked up on
entering.
MY Dear Miss Dens1ow-A friend
of mine, a writer, is to be in Cleve-
land for a few weeks, and l have
given him a letter of introduction
to you, knowing that you will furn-
| ish him the best there is in the
stenographic line, and also that the
| acquaintance will be mutually
| agreeable. Bruce Balcome is a
most interesting companion, man
know you will like.
Trusting that success is still
with you. am yours very cordially,
RUSSELL WEBSTER"
Russell Webster does not know
that business belongs on Com
merce street, and has no place in
this sky tower of NINE" and laying
| the letter on the table, she COM
menced the preparation of her even
ing meal, a task she enjoyed as
| thoroughly as any housekeeper
! with all the appurtenances of house
keeping.
Eleanor had left home some years
before, resolved to build up bust
ness as public stenographer, and
success had rewarded her efforts.
She now had a business that kept
mind and hands well occupied. For
several years she had lived in a
boarding house. Never safe from
intrusion, even when in the suppos-
edly sacred precincts of her own
room, her dream had been Of
cosy apartment where no one could
intrude.
Then, too, she longed for the dain-
ty furnishings which are not found
in a boarding house. For Miss
Eleanor loved two things, artistic
surroundings and solitude. She
mingled with crowds during the
her own companionship the most
congenial. .
Three months previous to this
time her dream had taken material
form, and the novelty had not yet
worn off the pretty apartment,
which she entered each night with
sense of almost childish delight
The tiny kitchen was a playhouse,
the gas range was a toy stove that
would do real cooking, and the
- oil ~ iaso
in the art of preparing tempting
meals as in the work of her down.
town world. A gate-leg table with
snowy cloth and blue china, low
bowl of pink roses in the center, re-
lieved the brown rolls and butter,
juicy steak, potatoes and apple
jelly, borne in on tray from the
kitchen.
The forenoon was passing, type
writer's clicked and Eleanor was
busy at her desk when the door
opened quietly to admit a young
man of dignified bearing.
Miss Denslow?"
yes
Eleanor was on her dignity in
business hours.
81 have a letter of introduction
from Mr.. Russell Webster"
So little thought did Eleanor give !
to business during home hours, she |,
had forgotten the letter of last !
evening. She read the note, ask !
ing, Can I be of service to you?" |
Il would like to dictate a few let !
ters and wish to make an appoint /
ment for each afternoon. May I |
have a private room?"
Certainly. Miss Folsom" She !
spoke to an assistant. Mr.. Bal |
come would like to dictate"
There was a trace of disappoint- |
ment on the countenance of Mr. |
Bruce Balcome as he followed Miss |
Folsom. For several days Miss Fol- |
some was assigned to him. This |
did not suit him in the least, for he