Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1894-11-10
And upon what do you found your
opinion, pray9'
Rov ,uObaI

And upon what do you found your
opinion, pray9'
RaSlaughed
II had the oldest little business cpl
sode not long ago" he answered.
"Shall | bore You by relating it|'
Not at all" Ethel said, with a pre-
sentiment of what might be coming.l
You know | edit the Star. Wen,
one day / received a little love story
from the south-by the way, it came
from Your own city
Ethel coughed behind her fan and
bit her lip f%urious)y.
The article continued Ray Moss,
twas not avaiiable-in fact, was SO far
from what it should be that | wrote
the fair author a few words of advice
- in the kindest possible spirit, | as
sure YOU. A few days later | received
a tart little note from her, in which
she implied that | refused her story
because she was a southern girl
well, didn't your
Certainly not Ray answered, in
evident surprise at the question.
"Stories stand or fall entirely on their
own merits, Miss Dacre,H
"And this particular one-was it so
very, very bad?' Ethel asked, her
checks crimsoning in spite of herself.
my dear Miss Dacre," replied Ray,
his blue eyes dancing with merriment,
II assure You that it could not have
been worse had it emanated from the
brain of a lunatic!"
Ethel almost gasped; then, remem-
boring herself, she joined in Moss
laughter, and quickly changed the sub
ject.
After all, she thought, when alone
in her roorl that night, The does not
know that | am Daisy and need never
know it 1t was very foolish of me to
write that note-oh, | wish | had new
err met him! | hate him-I know | do.
How he laughed at Daisy's attempt.
But he shall do me justice. III write
another story, have it copied by Il
typewriter, assume a mans name and
send it the Star Then, when it is pub
lished, I'll reveal my identity to this
supercilious youn man and have my
revenge"
And consoled by this resolution,
Ethel sought her pillow.
The weeks sped by, and Ray Moss
was a frequent visitoratM Mrs, Cartons
house. 1t was plain to see that he
was in love with pretty Ethel, who
tried hard to fight against her growing
love for the audacious young man who
had so wronged her.
She had carried out her intention
and sent another story to the Star.
This time it was returned without de-
lay, branded with the word Trash"
written in red ink, Evidently the
editorial decision was not to be re-
vcrsed by subterfuge in her ease.
Strange to say, the fate of Ethel's
second story softened her feelings
toward Mr.. Moss; She saw that he had
been especially kind in his treatment
of Daisy, and suspected that he bad
good reason for his adverse opinion,
One evening she was walking with
Ray in her aunt's garden. She had
been unusually gracious to him, and
he was in a hopeful mood in conse-
quence.
do you know, Mr.. Moss, am go
ing home in a few days?" she said,
SISTER Louise has written for me-"
Going home!' he exclaimed. Don't
say that, Ethel.'
She turned and looked at him, the
fair face flushing. 1t was the first
time he had called her by her first
lame
"Mr, Moss!" she exclaimed.
Il beg your pardon, Miss Dacre-I
forgot myself. Yet / should not OBJ
ject if you called me Ray" he added
slyly.
She tossed her head, but made no
answer
"Ethel-Miss Dacrc-won't You write
to me when you l~eaveus" he asked,
for some reason dismayed by her man
ner.
Ethel remembered the words of her
note: "The time will come when
neither love nor money will purchase
a few lines OF my writing" She al
most laughed. She knew she loved
him, though she had fought against
the knowledge. ale will never know
that am Daisy" she argued to her
self.
You will be too busy to write, Mr..
Moss. Your magazine must consume
all your time
H"Oh, Ethel, don't tease mel" he cried.
You know very well that ! love you
i have made no secret of il. Won't
you be my wife, dear?'
She hung her head and was silent.
He drew the white hands into his own,
and she did not resist him.
"My little Daisy" he continued, soft
ly, you will not punish me for the adj