The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1894-01-06
THE HIGHEST PRIZE
Was It Edith or Her Lover Who
Received It?
CHAPTER I.

CHAPTER l.
It was only very thick package
which she had received in the mornings
delivery. and why such an object should
make pretty Edith Dane cry as bitterly
rs she certainly was doing that Novem-
Der day would be indeed to many a
mystery. There are others, however,
who might understand and even sym
pathize with her, especially if they
should glance at slip of printed paper
lying inside the envelope. This is what
it said:
"NEw YORK. Nov 2, 1879.
"DEAR MADAME: Inclosed find MS, which
we return as We are not ablo to use it. With
thanks for your courtesy, yours very truly,
Not encouraging. to be sure, but
what author, though we'll known, can
boast of never having received one of
these depressing notes? And if Edith
had been more philosophical she would
without delay have simply put the re-
jected manuscript into a fresh cover
and sent it on its next journey. with
the fervent prayer that sometime it
would at least bring back to her the
price of the numerous stamps that just
at present she was using in postage.
As it was she did nothing Of the kind;
instead, she rested her head on the
table and sobbed as if her heart would
break
As she cried, her thoughts went back
over the last few years. In imagina.
ton. she saw the charming New Eng
land village W hich was once her home,
and the faces of her friends there, both
old and young. She remembered espe-
cially one friend, and she heard his
voice, as he told her over and over
again of his love. while begging for
hers in return.
1t was evidence that his wooing had
not been fruitless, for they had been SO
happy during one short month. Then
suddenly had come q miserable misun-
derstanding The girl whom she had
trusted had been disloyal to her, and
through her influence Edith's lover had
been led to doubt for an instant her
love for him, and in rage and pique
had accused her of insincerity, asking
for an explanation, which she, being
proud and hurt, had refused to give.
After that she had received his note OF
farewell. followed by-silence.
Then the scene changed. Her father
died; their affairs had been consequent
ly straitened, and now here they
were - she and her mother - far
away from all associations, in one
of the suburban towns of New
York, wholly dependent upon thor
own efforts for support. She had been
somewhat fortunate in her painting,
and just enough SO in a few stories to
make her foolishly fancy that in this
direction lay her sure road to success
Therefore she had put her time and
strength into this last effort, feeling
confident of anything except failure.
1t was hard, of course; she gave a
half gasp, half sob, as she stretched
out her arms: 'Oh, dearest, why can't
l see you! l could explain everything!
why can't you help me?"
But NO strong hand clasped hers.
No, she only touched the many papers
strewn over the table. Among them
was a magazine; mechanically she took
it up. "A Monthly Guide for Literary
Workers." It's name.
"It's no use to read it, "she muttered;
I'm not literary worker. I'm only
conceited goose to even imagine
could do anything OF the sort, and her
eyes scanned the columns open before
her. Halfway down the page they
stopped, for this is what she saw:
B, c. s. Co, publishers, New
York. offer $500 in prizes, for manu-
scripts of stories Only writer's under
twenty-five years of age are allowed to
compete for these prizes, which are as
follows: First prize, $500; second prize,
$500. A circular giving full expiana-
ton will be sent on application to the
publishers"
She read it once, twice, and then
again. before she fully took in its sig.
won't fail this time. I'm only twenty.
two. I'll try for the first prize" And
she brought down her hand upon the
Ia Die with an emphatic movement
How stupid l was to give up so easily.
don't deserve success; but / will get
it Now, what can write about?"
Going over TO the window, she threw
It open. and looked out The sky was
lead-colored, snow covered the ground.
aud the air had chill in it that was
more penetrating than real cold would
have been.
Nothing to help me here she muir
INJURED; accordingly. down came the
sash, and back she walked 70 her seat
Burying her face in her hands. her
mind ran RAPIDLY over various topics
in search of one suitable for the occas.
ion: but. SO great was her anxiety,
that she grew more and more confused.
Again. ali the old memories returned
NO girl ever had fewer oppo-,uni.
DD0NyE En1IV DAD