Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1922-02-01
Walter Gray's
Rival
By CLAIRE SMITH

.saaISIaISISIaNlaSIslualI 1--WE,
| Copyright. 1922. Western Newspaper Union.
Walter Gray had never understood
the depth Of woman's love until he
was engaged to Molly Pnrvis. There
was some discrepancy lin their ages
he was thirty and she only twenty
one; it was not enough to count, but
enough to make a difference, in their
outlook upon life. Molly was "a sprite
lively, mischievous, and merry
while Walter was serious beyond his
years.
Perhaps an unhappy love affair in
his earlier days was now having its
wholesome reaction.
He soon learned that Molly's tight
ness Of manner only served to conceal
depth Of nature Of which he had
never believed any woman 10 be capa-
BILE. Their love was mutual and al
most immediate. Their engagement
was warmly welcomed on Both sides
Of, the family.
walter" said Mpllie one day, ibid
l ever tell you about my chum, Elsie
Manton7 She was at school with me-
you know. Her brother and she are
coming to pay " a weeks visit. He
used to admire me a good DEAL" con-
tinued Molly.
Walter took her by the arms.
And you admired himr' he de-
manded sternly.
well, q little" Molly confessed
Bot Of course not since have loved
YOU"
That was all Walter could get out
Of her.
Elsie arrived alone. however. Her
brother. who had been detained on
business, was to arrive the following
day. Elsie proved to be even more
vivacious than Molly. The girls were
so absorbed In their discussion Of the
good times they had had together that
Walter found himself out in the cold.
The wedding day had already been
set, and Walter spent every evening at
Molly's house. Paul Manton was to
arrive the following evening, and
Molly had insisted that Walter be
tbClC " WCACOLuC
The girls being still as engrossed
with each other as ever, Walter had
retired to the library, where he
awaited Paul Manton's arrival. When
at last the front door bell rang 1t
took him a full minute to recover his
equanimity. and by the time ne had
stepped into the hall he saw the visitor
on the threshold.
He saw him enter. and Molly 60 out
to meet him. Then he saw him open
his arms and fold the girl in them.
And suddenly he bent his head and
kissed her, and Molly began TOTO
giggle. y
HatIess. cOatless, Walter left the
house. He must have walked half
way to the station when hack came
young man,. nursing suitcase on
his knee. Walter stared at him in
establishment. 1t was Paul Manton.
Fl knew him by the photograph Elsie
had shown him.
sBewildered, Walter turned home
ward. His brain was dizzy and he
could not understand the situation at
all. If Paul arrived and kissed Molly,
how could he now be coming up the
hill in hack? But his sense Of indig-
nation was too strong to permit his
mind to work clearly. He reached his
home and
And on the step stood Molly, hat
less and wrapless, and crying desper
ately. She turned as he approached
and ran to him and threw her arms
round him.
"Walter!" she sobbed. Listen to me.
she kissed me-"
what do you mean?" demanded
Walter, holding her at arms length
and looking into her woeful, tear
stained face.
ut was a trick of Elsie's to surprise
me and make you Jealous" Molly fall
tered 1T was your overcoat and hat.
Didn't you see that? She put them
on inside and went outside and then
rang the bell and came in. l thought
it was Paul until-until she kissed
me-"
A light dawned upon Walters be-
wildered brain. Ashamed and humili-
ated he stood there, while Molly's
arms wound themselves lovingly about
his neck again.
Molly" said Walter "rve been
COMPOUNDED fool. I'll believe in you al
uovc ofto~ <hfc s1occop