Hutchinson gazette., 1900-07-12
RSNe4 20 0@V@@@@ @@e9@@@~9@&0N,
3 SYLVIA AND THE ARTIST.

over the closely written pages Detore
her, and touched lis outlines with
golden fingers, She was rnther pale
little girl OF perhaps III q girl who
evidently studied hard and played but
little.
81 don't believe" she said nloud, Ns
she drew back and surveyed the sheets
before her critically, III don't believe
] can make that read q bit smoother,
It's told us simply as can tell II, and
simplicity Is what the editor of the
El Dorado wants. I've looked up all
the hard words in the dictionary, and
I've done my best mike dt gram
nautical. -Four times I've read II, and
/ don't believe there Is a
mistake In IT, And now II could only
have II type written and get two or
dhree pictures for II I'm sure II would
be q go,' She paused and reflected.
"It wouldnlt cost much TO have at
typewrltten, but where nm I to get
hhe plcturcs-Nnd the editor seemed
10 lay 40 much stress on having them.
He said the choice OF the winner of
the 500 for the hest told story would
be- greatly Influenced by the addition
OF two or more Illustrations, But
where can I get them"
She leaned her head on her hand in
quaint, old-fasEtoncd way and silent
" communed with herself, Once she
shook her head yehcmcntly, then she
nodded several times, and finally said;
"I'll do H."
Picking up her manuscript she
carefully placed It between some
blank leaves Of paper and drew q rub
Der band around Al, Then she put on
her hat and talking up her precious
package, ran quickly and quietly down
Che stairs,
Sylvia Jones was good walker, and
presently she halted at the entrance
OF n modern down town block She
hesltaicd n little before she could
muster mp enough courage to go in'
Perhaps she would have walked away
II the package OF manuscript hadn't
slipped into sight That was the
bracer she needed She walked into
The hallway and straight to the ele-
vntor doors,
"NIr. Frencnu's studio" she said, ns
she stepped into the car. 4 moment
later she found herself at the door OF
the artists apartments.
Again she hcsiutcd but sSe raped
on the door, "Comc in" cried q deep
voice, Sylvia pushed open the door
The famous lmetrator was at work
MT the farther end of the room, and for
n moment did not look up, When he
did he snw n slender girl dressed in
black, fun OF blonde hair about her
pale face, and two blue eyes looking
at him Nppcolmgly. He Strengthened
up little.
"Good afternoon" said Sylvia
ayes" said the illustrator ."WellT'
Sylvia thought his voice was rough,
and vet there seemed TO be softer
tone running through it. His hair
was rough, too, and his black eyes
were sharp behind their glasses.
''If you are Mr., FreneOu,' said Syl-
via III want YOU 10 do me favor"
The great artist snorIed slightly
"Autogrnph?"
"No," said Sylvia,
The specialized eyes "nndercd back
10 the slantcd drawing room; the
slender fingers added stroke here
and there. Then the left arm was
raised and the hand seemed to beckon
TO her Sylvia walked forward until
she reached the drawing board
"sit down" Sylvia took q chair
That stood close BY the artist and
waited. In moment or two he leaned
back and laid his pen down. Then lie
looked around Mt his visitor.
"oh. yes" he said His long fingers
advanced and he slowly touched the
sleeve of me- SlaSs sSSc3s.
"Mothcr?"
"Yes," replied Sylvia, as hard soli
arose in her throat, but she choked II
down. "Threc months ago"
The slender fingers stroked her
sleeve softly and then withdrew.
"Well, what cHn | do for you|"
Sylvia summoned up all her cour'
age.
''I have come here, Mr.. Frenau," sho
BRid, "to ask you to illustrate n story
/ Nave written
The great artist gave another little
snort and stared Mt her,
'oo2' he sNld.
"Yes," continued Sylvia, IL have the
story with me-"
"Well?"
"Shall I begin at the beginning?'
asked Sylvia.
"Yes," replied the artist at can't
be very far back" And he actually
smiled,
"Wcll," said Sylvia 81 have always
had q taste for scribblng, and all the
teachers thought ! showed signs OF
talent. wrote little sketches, and
once wrote dialogue that was given
several times in school / love to
write, but / didn't think Of writing
a hing 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 l wrote this story, You see
the editor of the III Dorado offers
prizes, 500 down to SO, and thought
n I could get a small one it would |
help and be n great encouragement. !
And the editor said illustrated stories
would receive the preference, and L
knew all about your pictures, and adj
mired them so much, and papa said |
one day he would show me where |
II u