The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1900-06-23
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1t was & O'Clock in the evening. an'
the, editor of the Monthly Rocket
sat alone in his room at large desk
strewn with papers and cuttings, gaz
ing thoughtfully at the sheets of man
uscript which he had taken from pile
before him.
Il can't understand it ut ALL he
was thinking. Except for the change
of ccene, and the matter of turning 4
collision into a ffre-the two stories
are practically Identical. At any rate
they're rather too similar for me to
pass the matter over. The extra chap
ters is original enough. though. and
really. well writth, III admit. But
what on earth possessed the fellow to
send 1t here, out. of all the offices in
town, where it might have gone in
stead? the whole thing is beyond me-
4 don't know quite what to say at
thissearly stage III the proceedings, he
said slowly; but let me see. first of
all, what's the se1ldcr's name and ad-
dress? All. Claude Hellingham, II
Cadogan street, W."
he paused irresolutely for second.
ana.then wrote on the sheet in front of
him.
"Dear Sir-If the author of the short
story, The Solitary Soul will call at
this Office at 3 o'clock on Thursday
afternoon, or my representative will
be glad to see him."
There, that ought to fetch him."
said the man, with a peculiar smile, as
ne signed the letter, douglas Baird,
Editor. Then directing the envelope
to the. address given OH the manu-
script, he posted it at the corner of
the sfsat,on his way home.
Unrife afternoon Of the following
Thursday, Douglas Baird sat in his
office again. He was obviously not
quit at his ease, and from time to
tipShe would open one of the draw
ers of his desk and examine the papcrs
II contained, as If to assure himself
that none Of them were missing. Pres
sntly he looked at his watch,
Hm! quarter past three already"
ne mused. Il wonder IL my CORE
spondent is going to fight shy, after
all?~ g.
A, TAP at the door interrupted his
In answer to his somewhat
surly Come in"' the visitor entered.
The editor Of the Monthly Rocket"
slshtly raised his eyebrows. Accus-
TONED as he was to all sorts and con-
altions OF visitors, it was not often
mat such pretty girl as this invaded
us ONCE. His surliness vanished in
'tantiy. He could be charming to
adies when he chose. This was one
u tnese occasions. Accordingly. he
YET chair for the visitor and returned
'etsumid greeting with geniality cal
'uiated to dispel her very obvious ner-
Twas a young but sad and troubled
ace that looked at him across the
esk. The soft, fair hair might have
aofned the sunny heal of a child. but
ne elrllsh mouth had assumed a curve
|, unnatural determination. and the
iae eyes were full Of that awful fear
'ncn is to be seen only in the eyes of
ne refined poor.
- nave a letter from Mr.. Baird tho
dltor-I don't know if you are he
skng me to call at today" said the
irl. m '>' 'N
: am the editor, Certainly; but
one .recolle4s writing to Miss-Ches-
-; . Ill, IN fact. expect some one else
this hour" L.
N. M. Claude Hsss sm. pcrhaps?"
les! Do you know him, then?"
sAea the man eagerly. t
On, yes, think l may say l do. a
tt.e, she replied, smiling again. I'm
.c a II am the individual himselfw
L0ont quite understand" returned
allQ Ionderingly. rs. there such
aso0 .lso at all, then:' ].
N fcS very much p-rm hc-or,
tles.sie's my nom. de- guerrc." she /
lswered quietly. scouting to enjoy Ills
'idelf Mystification. :
itoui' he replied. i.rYou? What OH
rttsmade you take such A. ,,scu-
'n+n! he demandcl wondcriugly.
W: because Thought mans ,n,me
o'nu givc my story a better chance
Meeptancc. But why did you write
Nes She. continued .aiixlonsIy. Il
Us 50 glad to get your letter! IL
ot syon had accepted the tale.
'usarc going to publish 1t, 'aren't
w she added, all l.ct smiles van-
Ain - b. ss1sa,. !,
No said Baird. looking at. her |.