The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-03-28

new universe she might command
much higher prices. Possibly it might
be better to hold her stories until she had.
But no. Miss Skinner wanted to dis
pose of as many now as possible
In that case, If she would agree for
this present story not to be published I'M
I'll after the appearance of that in the
Universe he would give her guineas,
instead of 8. He really did not think she
would get more for it,"
Somehow his frank and kindly manner
was more convincing even than the hun
dred pound cheque. She took the five
guineas, smiled nervously, and said:
Good afternoon" The editor turned TO
his work. He wondered a little at the
liberality of the Universe" and doubted
whether the story they had bought was
worth the money, but was far too simple
minded to imagine any special reason why
such sum had been paid. He saw no
reason whatever why he should not men,
ton the incident to one or two other men
at luncheon next day. Tn story got
about; few people who had not seen
Miss Skinner murmured scandal. But by
the end of the week she had placed seven
stories very well indeed A few days la
ter she received through the post a card
requesting that she would call at the Of
flee of the New Universe" She was
rather glad, because she wanted to ask
when her story would be published, see
ing that the publication of the others
must walt for it, and during the week she
had found that editors were not always
altogether glad to receive callers.
She was shown up to the EDITORS room
without delay. She gave a little fright
ened smile-as if she wished that he
would be pleased to see her.
Miss Skinner" he began, you have
been showing the cheque l gave you in va
rious offices, l hear"
YES" she said, simply. 81 thought
that would make them give me more for
my stories-and 1t did,
Ibid you not consider showing it
breach of faith?''
mo. You never told me not to show it."
II did not suppose that was necessary.
thought you would see so much for your
self. To speak of the affair was to- he
was about to say "betray me-" but
caught himself up short. 81 am thinking
of YOU quite as much as of myself. dare
saw you did not mean to break faith with
me. But what did you expect people to
think of you when you said you had been
paid a hundred pounds for a short story"
81 wanted them to think l had written
a clever story" she said, innocently.
''They did think so. Some of them paid
me very much more when they heard
what you had paid"
He almost laughed.
y on are an SACe6uluSly ClGN6I WOiAAtiAif
and you should write exceedingly clever
stories; we will say no more of that par
ticular one"
81 wanted to say just one thing about
it," answered Miss Skinner, cheerfully.
How soon do you intend to publish it?
Some of the editors are keeping theirs
back until yours has come out They
seemed to think you would not have paid
so much if you had not expected that
story To make q sensation.
MAKE a sensation! He ground his teeth
and answered politely:
when a story is bought and paid for
on the spot, it's publication rests on the
convenience of the editor. That is under
stood
"Of course. of course" she agreed.
was not being so silly as to try to hurry
you. but l want to know when you are
likely to find it convenient to have it pub
lished'
He rose, shaking with helpless anger.
To be Knocked and brow-beaten in his own
office by a woman1a little, plain, shabby
woman. 1t was uncomfortable. He began
to lose his self-control.
Your story is burnt to ashes!' he said.
"Oh, how shocking! However did 1t
happen? A story you had paid so much
for, too. How did it happen?"
AN accident--an accident" he said, res
training himself again. For it was just
DOSSlDIe TINS ilIlle JdueQ NtHleSlS ull6 NJ NC
managed, if he were careful
"A most unfortunate accdent-unfor-
tunate for me too. l have been paid much
more highly than / should otherwise have
been, on account Of that story, as / told
you. But what will the other editors say
when ii never comes out? What had bet
ter do?"
She looked up at him appeallngly.
"You must write me another story In
place of It,"
"Oh, yesr' her face frightened. II can
do that easily"
IT will pay you the same sum for IT."
"0h, but it may not be so good?''
"You are very scrupulous," he said, po-
litely. "Your first story being so exception
ally good it is only fair you should have
some compensation for the loss of adver-
tisement consequent on its suppression,
All that / require is that you will not mem
tion the circumstance, and that you will
make no further demands on me-"
"Of course not, oh dear, no. 1t Is am
pie. / will not mention the matter again
am new to this kind of life, and do not
know the etiquette Of 1t. did not mean
to offend"
She left the Office a little troubled and
doubtful. After about a fortnight she re-
appeared with a manuscript In her hand.
She began to speak the moment the door
shut behind her.
II have been feeling very uneasy about
this second hundred pounds" she said. 1T
does not seem right that / should have
il. If YOU are generous I must not be
greedy. A hundred pounds is too much for
a story which may not be as good as the
last one"
He let her speak. What was coming
Was Il possible that the woman felt COM
junction? She went on with the air of one
who has thought over a matter determn-
edly. and IS reciting the result.
zone OF them" (she meant the editors)
said that you must have seen something
remarkable In that first story which did
not exist I'm the others. The fact that no
one offered me much for any Of the 9TH
ers proves him to have judged rightly Sc
/ have thought and thought, until re-
membered every word of your story, and
/ have written Il out again."
The usual office ruler lay on the desk
The thought came into the editors mind
that 4 would be very easy and pleasant e
take that ruler and smite Miss Skinner
over the head with Il several times. beat
the shabby black hat and the meageI
white face into an indistinguishable mass
and hide the remains among the wagons
of waste paper. As she ended he spoke
shortly, making his final offer.
1--WE are thinking Of buying Fashion