Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1899-07-29
SUBSTITUTION.

]. Graham Champnies, reigned tempo
rarily in his stead.
A clerk had just laid on Champnies
desk the form which visitor had filled
up:
''Name-NIiss Cynthia Page. To See =
The Editor. Business Date
$3.50"
"WelI, I'll see her." said Champnies.
He had seen the name of Cynthia Page
in good magazines appended TO curious
and interesting stories.
He was not i'll pleased when the clerk
showed her in to find that she had
youth and beauty on pale and mystical
lines. j. Graham Champnies found him
self hoping that Matthew Elder, after
synchronizing his watch, would find it
necessary to 90 and see a man about a
| dog-or, at any rate. would delay his re-
turn.
Il am speaking to the editor?" said
Miss Page. a little doubtfully.
''The actual editor, Mr.. Elder, is not in
at present, but | have full power to act
for him.
81 see." She was still in doubt
Pray be assured of it. l can make
contracts with you, accept stories from
you, sign checks for you, SO if you have
anything to propose
''Oh, it's not that. In fact, came in
consequence of a proposition which he
had already made to me-"
"Well. shall be very glad to carry on
anything that he has begun. As rule
be mentions these things to me. but this
time l am in the dark"
She smiled mysteriously. But you
can't be sure that you would wish to
carry on what he has begun"
"As Mr.. Elder is the supreme authority
here, | should have no choice. But even
if | had, what you suggest is extremely
unlikely"
''Why unlikely? No two men can have
minds exactly alike. It's such funny
arrangement you have here"
1T works well enough in practice. We
both know the character of our paper
and what our public wants. l say that
it is unlikely that / should be unwilling
to carry on whatever Mr.. Elder has be-
gun, for this reason and also because l
know and admire your work"
"Oh, do you think it's any good?'
"Of course | do
Speaking frankly?"
Speaking frankly, it's full enough Of
faults; some of it seems to have run
away with you and got all over the place.
But it's horribly interesting all the same
You see, it's original
''Oh, yes" she assented. 81 am origi-
nal. If l were not, l shouldn't be here"
THAT sounds cryptic" he said. "Pos-
sibly l shall understand it when l know
the nature of Mr.. Elders proposal. He
wants Soma StorioS from, yo,
mo, no."
Then what is it,?
DO you know that am afraid
can't tell YOU
Every well, then, there's nothing more
to be said Mr. Elder is out at present.
You'd better call again. l suppose you
think it would make some difference
whether Mr.. Elder went on with this
business or | did,
I'm sure it would-the greatest diff
ference"
You think | shouldn't do as well?"
Not as well. You'd do better, infinite
ly better. Oh, l must 60" She blushed,
arose, goodbyed and faded out of the Of
fee
Ten minutes later Mr. Matthew Elder
middle aged, bald and cheerful saunter-
ed into the room with his hands in his
pockets.
''Well, Bill! Everything all right?"
NO" said Champnies shortly, still irri- |
tated by his interview with Cynthia |
Page. Quart into a pint pot. Plugged |
up with ads, and Rowse has just sent up |
that he'll want another half page. We |
shall have to leave over everything that'll
wait and some things that won't"
"Ah, you don't keep a tight enough |
hand on Rowse"
Step in and tackle him yourself
Here. this woman called to see you
wouldn't tell me her business"
Matthew Elder took the paper slip and
sank down in chair.
bill, this is rather bad. l ought to
have been in. What with my unfor-
tunate enthusiasms and my wretched
l shall get myself into trouble.
l met this girl two or three times a
year ago; never gave her another
thought till | came on story by her
that was perfectly magnifcent-oh, hor-
ribly good.-probably the best story that
has been written this century l dashed
off letter to her at once and so worked
myself up about it that l said, to show
my sincerity, that if she liked I'd marry
her, and she could call at the office this
with her answer. She'd have
refused me, of course, as they all do, and
perhaps I'm better single; but, none the
ess, it would have been more civil not to
have forgotten the appointment"
Really" said Champnies, you must
be little mad"
Undoubtedly" answered Elder cheer
FULLY. Its the price one pays for being
so excessively intelligent"
Champnies stared blankly at the desk,
.rying to recall the exact words of his
with Cynthia Page.
Look here, Bill,' said Elder, write
md say you want to see her about
story, then when she comes do the ex-
planning for me. Say l was called away
~ telegram. Say it was from motives
If delicacy. Say anything"
The following is from a subsequent is
sue of ''The Tea Cup; Journal Con
iucted by Ladies For Ladies'"
'One of the most brilliant of our lady
writer's, Miss Cynthia Page, is, it is
whispered, shortly to be led to the hy-
neneal altar. The fortunate partner of
Ter future joys and sorrows is Mr. j.
iraham Champnies, young journalist
# great promise. Our heartiest felici- ,
ations. Speaking of weddings, have you
een the really beautiful designs in
tes-indistinguishab from real
'earls-now being shown in the windows
-?-Black and White.