The morning times., 1896-02-16


from Frank.
what can do for your" was Franks
question.
Il just called TO ask If you would be 50
good and she paused as she opened her
handbag and drew out a flat, bro wn-paper
pared.
Il knew it," muttcred Frank to himself
Poetry"
Then addressing his visitor in The firmest
tones he could command, he said:
My dear madam, can assure you that
We have no room for poetry"
Poetry, SIR she Squeakcd, ard there
was a touch of Indignation almost in her
voice. Il would not think OF offering you
poetry"
Frank thought there was just the slight
est amount OF emphasis Cn the you" and
he wondered whether she was laughing at
Him. lie wished ne could see her face,
but owing TO bcr position, with her back 10
The light, added 10 her thick veil. he could
not distinguish her features at all clearly.
''No, sir" she continued, Il have here
three short stories, which yCu wiz find
emineuuy suitable for your paper. and
am sure that they VIII be appreciated by
your readers
Frank was 50 used to hear people speak
ln similar praise Of their own work that
the egotiStical speech did not at al sur
prise him, as he replied:
Il hope that when the stories are pub
lished other people win think as highly OF
your work as yCu do yourself
MY work. she said. with a slartied air.
81 did NOT say that they were my work.
am here on behalf of a very dear frcud OF
mine 10 offer these stories for your con
eidcraio8."
But why take al that trouble? You
should have posted them 10 Us; they would
have been carefully considered
NO. I wOuld not trust them TO the post.
] wanted 10 see you personally ard give
Them L. you in your own hands," ard. suit
ing the action To the word, she advanced to-
ward Frank ard offered him the parcel.
Te relao;autly took it from her, exclaim-
inE:
n am afraid ! cannot promise that they
VIII bc accepted. Weare oyercrowdcd with
short stories"
Il do not want you TO promise that. Az
] asE is that you viii read them.T
Il viii read them, certainly"
Thank you. 50 much. That is very kind
or YOU. Good morning!''
Frank touched the lei! and politely bowed
his visitor out. She responded with an Old
fashioned courtesy, and with another
smiling Thank you,'' descended the
stairs.
Frank sat himself 81 his table and banged
tie brown paper parcel down viciously.
BE took up his pen, Int not TO write
The thoughts would rot be led away from
the recent interview. He could not help
laughing outright at the quaint Old lady
and her squeaky voice. Then he began to
toy with the parcel. Finally he opened
It: there lay tie thrcc stories neatly tyne
written. He Looked for the authors name
and address. All that he could see inIme-
diately under tlIe title OF each story was
by Juniia." No name. no address.
"Ncll, this is The oldest experience
have ever had" he nmttcrcd TO himself.
Then Dc thought he might as well read
one OF The stories. Tie did so. and words OF
surprise and delight kept rising 20 bis hps.
Then DC read the second. which gave him
stli more pleasure. After reading thc last
onr DC exclaimed
'liT GeorEri hers n rnd sIunifa.'
my niend. ] uu my hat te voa. u,rts.
fasortraiir speaking Fon an a rrnsus-
lf FaH nnn't naats runr furtuur nml nt
ear sar tlmr EHrf TfF rfafrnFar nfr
hn 81 usr naus tsnt Frrnk nafHr
aua aHF rfAaE tE fef1
ta t