The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1898-08-24


my Birdie. They won't take grown
ups at this big house"
"Then of course l won't go, that's
all, because you'd get into dreadful
mischief without me to look after you. !"
/ Feeling there was no more to be said
on that subject, Marjorie returned to
the hearthrug, and to thinking about
the something that must be done,
while the man leaned back in his
chair, trying to picture life without a
little child filling up all its canvas.
Birdie" said Rex the next morn
ing, 81 am going out TO get my hair
cut, as I've visit to pay this afternoon.
When come back we will go for a
walk"
"Pm very glad,p said Marjorie, look
ing at him critically you are dread
fully untidy, ragged-haired Daddy.
Are you going to see publishers,
Daddy?"
"No." And Rex Winters mouth
set in hard lines. "They don't want
to see me or my work. I've paid them
my last visit.n And he closed the door
behind him with noisier slam than
usual.
Marjorie stood still moment, made
quite sure he was gone, executed
dance of delight, and then set to work.
By the time Rex Winter returned,
ashamed of his petulance, the cage was
empty and the golden bird flown.
"Hello, little onel / nearly came on
the top of your cried young fellow,
as, rushing down Wilcombe House
stairs, he almost upset little girl who
had just come through the entrance
door.
"Hello, Mr.. Publisher Williams -
said Marjorie, looking up at him over
the bulky parcels she carried in her
arms.
Young Stamford stopped. He was a
kind-hearted lad and had sisters at
home.
81 am not a publisher" he said
gently. "What do you want, child?'
az want to see Mr.. Publisher Will
liams. Daddy said he was the Editor
of Many Tongues as well, a gossippy
harmless affair he called it," answer
ed Marjorie, not one whit abashed that
the Office boy had come out to listen,
also the lit conductor, also gentle
man who was leaning over the banis-
ters Of the second floor.
"What do you want to see him for?r
asked young Stamford.
$40 make him buy my Daddy's
stories." returned Marjorie g-avely.
"You see'-
''Show the young woman to my
room" ;" said voice from above at this
juncture; "you should not keep my
clients waiting, Stamford"
There was sound Of laughter in the
voice; but Stamford copied Marjorie's
gravity, showed her into the lift, and
conducted her TO his chiefs room as
though she was the Queen herself.
Marjorie glanced round the business
like room with curiosity, studied the
publishers clean-shaven face, disap-
proved of the twinkle in his blue eyes,
and showed her disapproval by saying
severely:
"You ought to he ashamed Of your
self, Mr.. Publisher Williams, worrying
my Daddy, and making him feel mis-
cradle, just because you are too cross to
buy this beautiful story. 1t must make
you feel dreadful when you say your
prayers to think how cross you've been,
nearly as bad as when / was a weeny
teeny girl, and smacked Fanny till her
head broke. / thought perhaps you'd
be in a better temper to-day, so I've
brought you some of Daddy's stories
myself, as well as the one you were so
cross about. You may buy them all If
you like Daddy won't mind.n Open
ing her arms, Marjorie dropped four
large parcels and three small rolls at
the publishers feet.
"And who is your Daddy ?' inquired
Mr.. Williams meekly.
"Mr. Rex Winter" answered Mar
jorie, "and | should like to sit down,
only all your chairs are full of things"
she added reproaehfully. "I've come
a very long way, Mr.. Publisher Will
liains, aud had to pay twopence for the
bus out of Daddy's drawer, and lost
myself three times"
az really beg your pardon" And
Mr.. Williams FASTENED to free chair
from its membranes, blushing as he
did so, and as he was fair man, his
visitor promptly detected the fact, and
remarked:
"You are getting red. Are you
ashamed that you were so cross to my
Dlddy?"
"Er-I don't think / feel very
ashamed so far" replied Mr.. Williams,
looking nervously at his youthful judge.
''You see, ] can't accept all the stories
that are offered me, can /, Miss-er-
Miss Winter?'
"You may call me Miss Marjorie if
you like" said Miss Winter, swinging
her legs against the bars of the chair,
and still gazing at Mr.. Williams 81
don't mind if you are cross to other
people, but you shouldn't be nasty to
my Daddy. He says publishers won't
take the trouble 10 read his stories.
Did you read his book, Mr.. Publisher
Williams? The one you gave him back
yesterday"
"Er-you see. my dear Miss Mar
jorie-I don't do mneh of that sort Of
thing myself leave that to my
reader"
"Did you read my Daddy story, Mr..
Publisher Williams?" reiterated Mar
jorie firmly.
"No, Miss Marjorie, didn't, and
that's the TRUTH Mr.. Williams leant
back and awaited his fate.
"Of course l didn't suppose you
would tell me an untruth. Then, will
you please undo the story, and read it
now? and then you can buy it, and give
me the money to take home" Mar
jorie's eyes began to beam, and a pretty