Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1896-04-01
"JUNITA." "

'Well, what is it?"
'Lady to see you, SIR"
by appointments
"No, sir, but very important, she
says."
VERY sorry. Too busy-ask her te
write"
Frank Hayler bounced away from
the telephone and flung himself into
bis chair, muttering maledicions OF
the heads OF all ladies or otherwise who
would insist upon calling or worrying
the life out of busy editor, on what
they were pleased to term important
business
That was the third time during the
morning that he had been rung up OF
some utterly frivolous pretext, and he
was angry. But his anger was fntensi
fed as the telephone bell began to ring
again. He threw down his pen in
despair and rushed TO the instrument
shouting at the top of his voice:
"What is it?"
every sorry. sir; lady won't go away
Bays she must see you. She's waiting.
Let her wait" was Franks angry
fejoinder. NO" he added almost i'm.
mediately. SHOW her up"
He sighed to himself with q resigned
air, and. as he walked toward his
writing table, he could not help think
ing what a fool he was to allow an I'M
Fortunate woman to interfere with his
mornings work.
And his work that morning was par
dcularly heavy. He was the editor
Of the Chatterer, a paper that had not
yet taken hold of the public fancy. He
was convinced that 1t would do 50
eventually-thati is, If his funds lasted
long enough. Meanwhile he was doing
his best to turn out some attractive ar
sicles and here was this woman
A timid knock ut the door notified
him that this woman" was close a.
hand.
Come in." he said, In what he prided
himself to be his best editorial voice
although he really felt very angry.
The door opened and when he looked
1T the Intruder he muttered to himself
-Poetry-or a subscription list"
The lady who had thus braved the
hon in his den, as II were, was neither
young nor pretty. She was rather tall,
though STOPPING somewhat, and very
dowdy looking. Little cork-screw
curl5 were hanging csl each side or her
face which was almost completely hid
den by a thick veil.
Pardon me for intruding In this
manner" she said in peculiarly weak,
falsetto voice, "but l felt that l must
call upon you in person, and l am ex-
tremely obliged TO you for seeing me.
I hope I do not interrupt you In your
work."
Not at ALL" said Frank, airily. Il
have one or two things waiting to be
done, but they are of no consequence
Won't you take a chairf"
Thank you so much" she replied,
as she sat down very carefully on
chair with her back to the window, at
some distance from Frank.
What can l do for your vas
Franks question.
- II Just called to ask If you would be
30 good" and she paused as she
opened her handbag and drew out
hat brown paper parcel.
"I knew it." muttered Frank to him
self Poetry
Then. addressing his visitor in the
frmest tone he could command, he
said:
My dear madam, l can assure you
that we have no room for poetry"
Poetry. sir" she squeaked, and
there was n touch of Indignation almost
in her voice. Il would not think of
Offering you poetry"
Frank thought there was just the
slightest amount Of emphasis on the
you" and he wondered whether she
was laughing at him. He wished he
could see her face, but owing to her
position, with her back TO the light
added to her thick veil, he could not
distinguish her features at all clearly
"No, sir" she continued. Il have
here three short stories, which you will
find emineutly suitable for your pa
per, and l am sure that they will be
appreciated by your readers"
Frank was so used to hear people
speak in similar praise of their owl
work that the egotlsical speech did no,
at all surprise him, as he replied:
Il hope that when the stories are
published other people will think as
highly Of your work as you do your
self"
MY work. she said, with a startled
air. II did not say that they were my
work am here on behalf Of a very
dear friend OF mine to offer these stO
ries for your consideration"
But why take all that trouble. Yor
should have posted them to us. They
would have been carefully considered
NO. | would not trust them to tht
post. | wanted to see you personally
and give them TO you in your Owl
hands" and, suiting the action to thu
word, she advanced toward Frank an(
offered him the parcel. He reluctant,
took 1t from her, exclaiming:
Il am afraid l cannot promise tina
they will be accepted. We are over
crowded with short stories"
Il do not want you TO promise that
All ask is that you will read them"
81 will read them, certainly"
Thank you SO much. This IL yer,
kind of you. Good morning"
Frank touched the bell and politel!
bowed his visitor out. She Responded
with an old-fashioned courtesy, sn'
with another smiling Thank you,
descended the stairs.
Frank sat himself at his table ant
banged the brown paper parcel dow
viciously. He took up his pen. but no