The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1900-10-12
A PARTNER
AND A PRIZE.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

81 don't believe" said Sylvia James
1T can make the story read bit smooth
er. It's told as simply as can tell it
and simplicity is what the editor of The
Ell Dorado wants."
She leaned her head on her hand in g
quaint, old fashioned way and silently
communed with herself. Once she shook
her head vehemently, then she nodded
several times. and finally she said. I'll
do it."
Picking up her manuscript she care
fully placed it between some blank leaves
of paper and drew a rubber band about
1t. Then she put on her hat and taking
her precious package ran quickly and
quietly down the stairs and away to Mr.
Freneau's studio.
The famous illustrator was at work
near a window at the farther end Of the
large room, and for a moment he did moi
look up. When he did. he saw a slender
girl dressed in black. fluff of blond hail
about her pale face and two blue eyes
looking at him appealingly. He straight.
ened up little.
Good afternoon" said Sylvia timidly
"Yes." said the illustrator. "Well?"
Sylvia thought his voice was rough,
and yet there seemed to be softer tone
running through it. His hair was rough
too, and his black eyes were sharp be-
hind their glasses.
"If you are Mr.. Freneau." said Syl.
via. ~ want you to do me a favor"
The great artist snorted slightly.
Autograph"
"No." said Sylvia.
The specialized eyes wandered back to
the slanted drawing board. the slender
fingers added stroke here and there.
Then the left arm was raised. and the
hand seemed to becko2 to her. Sylvia
walked forward until she reached the
drawing board.
"Sit down" Sylvia took the chair that
stood close by the artist and waited. In
q moment or two he leaned back and laid
his pen down. Then he looked around at
his visitor.
"Oh, yes" he said. His long fingers
advanced. and he softly. touched the
sleeve of her black frock.
"Mother?"
ayes" replied Sylvia rs a hard sob
arose in her throat. but she choked it
down. "Three months ago."
The slender fingers stroked her sleeve
softly and then withdrew.
well, what can l do for you?"
Sylvia summoned up all her courage.
IL have come here. Mr.. Freneau." she
said. ito ask you to illustrate story l
have written"
The great artist gave another little
snort and stared very hard at her.
1907" he said.
"Yes." continued Sylvia. 81 have the
story with me-
"Well?"
"Shall begin at the beginning?" asked
Sylvia.
yes" replied the artist. at can't be
very fer back" And he actually smiled.
Well" said Sylvia. 1--WE always had
a taste for scribbling-that's what they
called it when | was little-and mamma
encouraged me and all my teachers
thought showed signs of talent. l wrote
little sketches Instead OF compositions,
and once l wrote a dialogue that was
given several times in the school. love
to write. but | didn't think of writing
anything serious until mamma died, and
then | knew her long sickness cost papa
so much that | felt that | must try and
earn something to help him. So wrote
this story. You see. the editor of The
Ell Dorado offers prizes. 500 down to
$40, and thought if | could only get a
small one it would be n help and a great
encouragement. And the editor said that
illustrated stories would receive the pref.
erence. and l knew all about your pic
lures and admired them so much, and pa.
pa one day showed me where your studio
was. and | thought IL you would make
the pictures it would help the story ever
so much, and if we get prize l will give
you half. And being quite out OF
oreatn' sylvia stopped
ihueeu! saio Ihe great artist. lie
looked away from her to the drawing
ed: he LAID It down again; he looked at
MS watch.
Lets near your story, ne SAID.
his voice was eruH' ana YET sylvia
found announcement in it.
Thank you, she said as she spread
out her neatly written sheets.
1t was really pretty story There
was just enough OF plot to hold 1t to-
gether, and for fairy purposes the d.a-
losue was quite as bright as was necessa'
ny. IL told OF the adventures OF modern
uo! nero anhoiiS 'ie o'h 'i,l,e iair'Ps' ana
s1iStS "oS Nh"' o1'hb h' u'"" iAAOu
ern, delightfully."- mixed up in it. OF
course everything ended agreeably. and
the coming alliance of the hero. who was
neeessnrily prince Win the enarIninS'
,na,ueh. ha.uraliy prIncess' Was pleas
!ngiy nlnted at.
Sylvia's voice ceased. and she looked
up. There was little silence.
no" many words inquired the great
artist.
Nearly -'ooo' repl1eo sylvia. iou
sec. you nave to nave at least 2,uoo.
u see" said the artist. He was silent
for few moments. His gaze was fixed
upon SyiVia's flushed face line excite
ment OF reading the story nad sent 4
warm wave OF color across ner csually
pale cheeks. Her big blue eyes regarded
him expectnntly. Its pretty story.
he continued.
On. thank you! sylvia cried.
Let me see unused the artist. we
might STAND the nero nnder great tHad'