The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-10-02
NAME. Miss Cynthia Page.
TO SEE. The Editor.
BUSINESS. Private.
DATE. 1853.

well, I'll see her." said Champnies.
He had seen the name Cynthia Page, in
good magazines, appended to curious
and interesting stories.
He was not ill-pleaSed, when the clerk
showed here in, to find that she had
youth and beauty on pale and mystical
lines Her long, raised laShes and the
lingering glance of her gray eyes seem
ed to say You do interest me. }.
Graham ChampnieS found himself mop
ing that Matthew Elder, after synchron-
izing his watch, would find 1T necessary
to go and see a man about a dog-or,
at any rate, would delay his return
In the meanwhile he was anxious to
know what he could do for Miss Page.
Il am speaking to the editorY said
Miss Page, a little doubtfully
THE actual editor, Mr.. Elder, is not
in at present, but have full powers to
act for him.
Il see" She was still in doubt.
Pray be assured of 1T. L can make
contracts with you, accept stories from
you, sign checks for you, so If you have
anything to propose
90 it's not that; in fact, came in
consequence of a proposition which ne
had already made to me-"
''Wen, I shall be very glad to carry
on anything that he has begun. AS a
rule he mentions these things to me,
but this time I am in the dark"
She smiled mysteriously. But you
can't be sure that you would wish TO
carry on what he has begun"
LAS Mr.. Elder is the supreme auth
ority here. I should have no choice. But
even if 1 had, what you suggest is eX-
tremely unlikely
have minds exactly alike. It's a fun
ny arrangement you have here
TT works well enough in practice. We
both know the character of our paper
and what our public wants. say that
it is unlikely that 1 should be unwilling
to carry on whatever Mr. Elder has be
gun for this reason and also because L
adj
20, 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"
80, yes!" she assented. I am or1gi-
nal If were not, L shouldn't be here"
THAT sounds cryptic" he said. "Uos-
sibly 1 shall understand it when know
the nature of Mr.. Elders proposal He
wants some stories from you?"
mo, no.
''Then what is it?''
DO your know that I'm afraid I
az Very well, then; there's nothing
more to be said. Mr.. Elder is out at
present. You'd better call again I
suppose you think it would make some
difference whether Mr.. Elder went on
with this business, or I did?"
Pm sure it would-the greatest diff
ference. -
You think I shouldn't do as well?'
mot as well. You'd do better, infin-
itely, better. o. I must CO." she blush
ed, rose, good-byed, and faded out of
the office.
Ten minutes later Mr. Matthew Ed
er. middle-aged, bald, and cheerful.
sauntered into the room with his hands
in his pockets.
'eWeIl, Bill! Everything all right?''
Mr. Elder had not found in the assert
ment of names provided for Champnies
by the accident of his birth and the
esuesswork of his christening anything
which took his fancy.
No said Champnies shortly. still
irritated by his interview with Cynthia
Page. Quart into pint pot Plugged
up with ads, and RoWSe has just sent
IN that he'll want another half-page
We shall have to leave over everything
that'n wait, and some things that
won't"
'.Ahl 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 a chair.
Bill. this is rather bad. I ought to
have been in. What with my unfortu-
nate enthusiasms and my wretched
memory 1 shall get myself into trouble.
Listen: met this girl two or three
times a year ago, never gave her an
other thought till came on story by
her that was perfectly magnificent-O,
horribly good!-probably the best story
| that has been written this century. I