Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1935-03-03

"~HE rivalry between Enrique and Gus
tavo had existed for years. With
uncomfortable hope Enrique attempted
practically everything Gustavo did,
and invariably he succeeded in doing it almost
as we'll - but never quite.
THAT Gustavo," the Mexicans in little
Chihuahua wagged their heads and chuckled,
the devil himself could not trip him"
And Gustavo never cheated. He was ire
futably straightforward and honest. Blithely
sporting even. 1t was buen0 Suerte with him -
pure and undiluted good luck. Within him
was an obscure conviction. profound super
stition, that should he resort to lies his good
fortune would forever desert him. He must
win honestly. And he did. Which was cold
comfort to Enrique.
It had begun with little Isovel Garcia, who
had been by far the most fetching girl in the
Mexican settlement and the most boldly
Amercanized. That was during the era OF
marcel waves and knee-high skirts, and
Isovels glossy black hair lay in geometrical
curves and her rayon knees were alluringly
visible.
Gustavo had married her. Enrique had
finished a close second with her sister, Car
mencita; he had called 50 frequently at the
Garcia home that it was natural and almost
painless transition. Ten years later man on
galloping horse couldn't have chosen between
the two sisters; both of them fat. brown,
smiling, and placidly swamped in babies. But
it was fair sample of Enrique's form.
Shortly before their marriages, the two men
applied for jobs with big construction COM
pany. Both of them were hired. Custavo as
petty foreman. His wages were practically the
same as Enriques, and he shoveled his tons
of dirt beside him. He was no stronger or
better workman. But someone had to be put
over the crew, and the big boss eye had
lighted on him first.
One year on the national holiday there had
been an extra grand fiesta in the settlement.
with its GROWING thrill free car for the
holder of the lucky ticket. 1t had been Gus
tavo who had held the ticket; in Enrique's
hand was the next number below.
Az Di0s: there were times when Enrique
rubbed his head and scowled in profound
disgust and unhappiness. He would not have
minded so much if it had not always been his
tantalizing misfortune to come 50 close to
success Or if Gustavo had been smarter,
bolder, more capable than himself. But there
was no difference between them. Custavo did
nothing to achieve his triumphs: it was simply
his incredible good luck.
And it had stayed with him. Side by side
they lived in two little adobe houses, and
scarcely a week passed that there was not
some trifiing evidence of it. There was no bad
feeling between them - indeed, they were
sociabe neighbors. But to save his soul,
Enrique could not help wearying of Gustavo's
endless talk about his bssena s,Ierte. His calm
assumptions he would win at this, he would
be sure to have that - and his jaunty salts
faction when he did. If only once Enrique
might get the best of him, he felt he could
endure Custavo's good luck more cheerfully.
When the American merchants of the city
published the announcement in one of the
daily papers about the gifts for the New Year
baby, Enrique first heard the news with
fash of temporary aspiration. A new crib
from one furniture company, go-cart from
another. handsome layette from a depart
nent store, months supply of groceries for
the family - it was an imposing list including
numerous cash awards. And all to be given
to the first child born in the new year.
Carmencita drummed the months off on her
fingers and gazed at Enrique in thrilled
expectancy =. II could be-! With the most