Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1899-08-17
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
JUST A woMArs WAY.

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"She said," observed Tomlin, as he
handed the card, shat II you were
out, she had nothing much to do to-
day, and should wait until you came
in"
The editor wheeled about in his
chair with an impatient gesture of an
noyance. Why should the rabble an
noy him at time when he was in
terested in book, one Of the few re-
ally interesting ones of his library. 1t
was more than anyone should expect
OF him to see him at such time, and
he was on the point OF bidding her
wait, If she chose, but with the assur-
ance that the delay would be long
one, when he noticed the card.
The i~dy in waiting had written on
her card: about a story. Urgent"
"She hasn't got the copy with her?"
"Not unless it's in her pocket"
swell, said the editor, with an air
Of sanity resignation, "tell her that
I'm very busy, but If she can say
what she wants in five minutes, III see
her."
YEARLY he moved his feet from the
table, put on his coat, threw the re-
mainder Of his cigarette into the fire.
place, opened the window, secreted
the copy of Notre Champagne that he
had been reading, and set to work on
pile of proofs. BY that time Tomlin
had returned, announcing Miss Sands.
She was IS, and she was plain.
Moreover, she was as nervous as a
cat in new home
From the handwriting on the card
he had really expected something bet
ter, and he was mad at himself for
permitting her to bother him. She
was nothing more than the ordinary
woman who came to him day after
day with their stories and their poe
try, none of which he wanted.
Wouldn't this class of females ever
learn that they were only wasting
their time and his by their calls? lie
was afraid they wouldn't.
She said "Good-morning" In Z
choked whisper.
"Pray be seated" said the editor.
lie pushed over basket piled with
manuscripts to Tomlin. "Send all
those back" Then he turned to Miss
Sands again, and asked what he could
do for her.
II want to ask what you would
think of story of japanese life"
"lm afraid that sort of thing is a
good deal oveMone nowadays.
They've got a Jap series running in
Busters Magazine, and Of course we've
had Sir Edwin and whole lot more.
No. The public is sick of it. l don't
think we should care to see 1t. Sorry
you've had the trouble
"Oh, not at all! I'm glad"
u don't quite understand"
"You see, | want the story to be re.
fused. It's my sister Caroline. Thanks
SO much for promising to send it
back"
But wait minute gave no such
promise. 1t is part of an editors
duty to consider carefully everything
that is Notwithstanding. Be-
sides, why should you be SO anxious
that your sister should be disap-
pointed?"
you see, you don't know her. Her
besetting sin is conceit. She's younger
than ! am, and-well, she's rather
good looking. She's been spoilt by
having too much fuss made about her.
II you could hear her Dragging some.
times I'm sure you'd agree with me.
Really, it's often difficult enough for
me to live with her as it is, and If she
had a story accepted by the Latest
Light she would become quite intol.
CRADLE"
but really" said the editor, with
superiority, these family disputes
have nothing to do with me. I'm sim.
ply here to -"
"Oh, yes, of course! | only mention
IT to explain why | want you to refuse
her silly rubbish
"llow do you know it's silly rub
bishP"
I've read it, and it wouldn't do for
you at ALL"
Really, Miss Sands said the editor,
with growing severity, you must
leave me to be the judge of that. l
cannot permit anybody to dictate to
me what | am to accept or what am
to refuse. Have you any special train
ing which entities you to-criticise your
sisters work at all? It's remarkable
that belief which almost every woman
seems to have, that she is qualified to
Judge literary work! Are you quite
sure that you know the difference be.
tween silly rubbish and u work of
genius?'
ANYHOW, it shows that she has no
imagination-hcr having made it a
Japanese story
VI don't follow that argument"
mo, ! hadn't told YOU My sister