The San Francisco call., 1896-10-18

''You oughtn't to work on your birth
day." said Corinne, who wanted company.
Cant you do your article tomorrow"
Hester looked uD impatiently.
Haven't told you that Sally Waters
isn't going to take charge of the literary
page OF the Courier any longer, she has so
much to do on the regular sheet2" she
demanded.
well, what of it?"
Hasn't somebody got to take charge OF
that page? Wouldn't a little money
coming in every week be a good thing for
this turned, dyed and made-over famiiy?'
Corinne stared at the greatness of the
prospect.
''oh, Hesterl Do you think they'd give
it to your"
81 am going to try for it. That's why
1 am shaving so over this article. 1t is
the best 1 have done yet. They have
taken nearly everything I've offered. and
Sally Waters herself told me l sent in
good stuff. l don't see why L haven't a
chance"
eve could put new mating in the
front room," began Corinne, excitedIy,
"and have the andirons mended."
BUY new ones," said Hester, grandly.
"And we would have new gown apiece.
Oh, there's some one at the front door.
Do see who it is; Corinne."
The younger sister ran downstairs, and
soon reappeared, holding up yellow en-
veIope, with the thrilling announcement,
Telegram for Miss Hester Blanchard"
Hester took it, trying to look cool and
unconcerned, as if kilograms formed q
large part of her daily mail.
"Hurry up" said Corinne, who was
frankly young and excitable. 'Oh,
know-it's good wishes for your birthday
''To be sure" said Hester, breaking il
open with a sudden sense of disappoint
ment. Visions of Your uncle in Pata-
gonia has died, leaving you 81 900, ,000," or
"Your aunt in New York wants you to &c
abroad with her and the girls" had beer
floating through her head, quite un.
checked by the fact that no such relatives
existed. "Why, it is from the Courier, >
she said, and read aloud:
Wire press rates collect 1000 words youl
opinion Carrington's In City of the Wes
apropos local color and characters. Must be in
Friday evening. Answer. Courier.
The million and the trip to Europe com.
bined could not have delighted Hester
more thar this message when she had
grasped its meaning. The mountain had
come TO Mohammed. fher opinion of this
much wrangled over book was thought
worthy of being telegraphed, press rate,
collect 1000 words, surely the literary
editorship was not hopelessly out o.
reach.
ohoh lxT fC rvoo 10 &a1k
petitive examination for the vacant place
She was trying to decide which magazine
she would prefer 10 edit, after some year:
of journalistic success, when Corinne
broke in on her thoughts.
"Why, it says Friday-that's to-day ~
she exclaimed. "Isn't it too bad you can'-
do itr' Tumbiing aircastles make nc
sound. Hester set her lips and, pulling
a pencil out of her belt, wrote distinctly
across the back of the message, evil
send article as directed. Hester Blanch.
ard.''
"Give this to the boy while I saddle
Punch" she said.
But how can you. when you haven
read the book, and we don't possess it?'
asked Corinne. |'You never could get il
in Santa Maria"
'PIl find it somewhere" said Hester
with the determination of a Columbus
''This isn't just an ordinary article
Corinne. 1t is the beginning of a ca.
reer."
Punch was portly little broncho with
ideas OF his own and preiudices which hi:
mistress generally respected. To-day
however, he was laced like a girl and
forced to gallop every step of the three
miles to Santa Maria, even across the
covered bridge, where he had hesitated
and sidled and edged around sunbeams
every day for the last ten years. He
shrugged impatiently and frowned with
his ears, grunting dlsapproval at every