The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-04-26
|" The Long Arm. !"

II was 8 o'clock I'm the evening, and the
editor OF the Monthly Rocket sat alone
in his room at a large desk. strewn with
papers and cuttings. gazing thoughtfuily
at the sheets of manuscript which he had
/ taken from a pile before him.
II can't understand Il mt aiI.' he was
thinking. Except for the change OF
scene. and the matter OF turning u colli-
sion into a nre--the two stories are prac-
tically identical. At any rate, they're
rather too similar for mo 10 pass the
matter over The extra chapter is original
enough. though. and really well written
III admit. But what on earth possessed
the fellow TO send IL here, out OF all tho
offices In town where IL might have gone
Instead? The whole thing is quite be-
yond me.
II don't know quite what TO say at this
| early stage In the proceedings he. said
| whats the sender's name and address?
An. An. Claude Heliingham' IA cadosan
lie paused irresoIutely for a second,
and then wrote on the sheet In front of
him
story, The Solitary Soul, will call at this
| office at 3 o'clock on Thursday afternoon,
! or my representative will be glad to
There that ought to fetch him." said
the man, with a peculiar smile, as he
signed the letter. douglas Baird, t.di-
tor Then directing the envelope to the
address given on the manuscript, he
posted II at the corner OF the street on
his way home.
Thursday. Douglas Baird sat In his office
again He was obviouslw not quite at his
ease, and from time to time he would
open one of the drawers of his desk and
TO assure himself that none OF them were
missing Presently he looked ut his
watch.
HIN, a quarter past three already"
he mused. II wonder IL my correspond
ent Us going TO fight shy, after ail?'
A tap at the door interrupted his soilo-
guy. In answer to his somewhat surly
Come in the visitor entered.
The editor OF the Monthly Rocket,
| as he was TO all sorts and conditions of
visitors. Il not often that such "a
pretty girl as this invaded his office. His
surliness vanished instantly. He could
be charming TO ladies when he chose
This was one of these occasions. Ac-
cordingly. he set chair for the visitor
geniality calculated TO dispei her very
obvious nervousness. et
IL was a young but sad and troubled
face that looked at him across the desk;
The soft. fair hair might have adorned
the sunny head of child. but the girlish
mouth had assumed "A curve of unnatural
full of that awful fear which IL to be seen
II have. a letter from Mr. Baird, the
editor-I don't know IL you are he-ask-
ing me To call at today" said the girl
II am the editor. certainly; but ] can't
recoliect writing 10 Miss--Chester In
fact. expect some one else at this hour" "
MIR. Claude Hellingham. perheps?''
Yes Do you know. him. them" asked
the man eagerly;
"Oh. yes, ! think l may say I do. a
little" she replied, smiling again. I'm
fact. IL am the individual himself"
II don't quite understand" returned
a son at ~InV1rfS ali thensS 10 'ne's S''' per-
''Oh yes. very much so-rm he-or.
rather; he's my nom de guerre" she an
swered quietly. seeming to enjoy his evil
'YouY' ne replied. "youg What on
earth made YOU take such pseudonym"
he demanded wonderingly.
"Oh. because l thought mans name
would give my story better chance of
acceptance. But why did YOU write to
80 so glad d to G"t'D get your letter. Thought
you had accepted the tale: You are going
TO publish II, aren't you?" she added. all
mo" said Baird. looking at her stead
| lily; II don't think 1 shall"
The girls eyes filled at the answer. and
her face, the editor began to feel quite
remorseful. II was a deuced awkward
business he told himself.
pulling am himself toscther @ e with an m Effort fort
that you should have thought my letter
meant acceptance of your contribution.
Before we go any further. however let
me ask you one question. Did you send
I'm that story. The Solitary Soul as
original matter?''
on the mantelpiece alone broke the 81
lence OF the room The editor watched
tho woman keenIy-a sudden spasm
her fsse hen e
time the man noticed her pallor and the
poverty of her attire; she had clasped
peal. and he saw that even her gloves
were carefully mended.
.lf You would rather not snswer," he
towards .'Mr. Heiiinsham." you need
not do so. Only. ] think you must ac-
knowledge that II is impossible for me
to publish the story in my magazine,
"WMl you tell me w-why?" she asked.
| trying to control her voice II Will own
that shouldn't have offered It to you
For answer he took from drawer n
ror snd ps he
hand for It: '.and this" he added sravely,
,sn, whisS "e Certain rn % story entitled The War
appeared. Now, perhaps you VIII under
| stand
II The glrtS mana tTemDitu 30 tudt sue
| could hardly hold the printed sheet. After
| a momentary glance. she laid Il down
| again, and then, turning her blenched
| face TO him. she said trepiuiously, TASK
| your pardon"
| asked slowly. "why you sent this to me ?
| Was Il for the sake OF getting into print
"a natural enough vanity, III allow;
| or" ne continued In a softer tone. was
1 the payment .that you would have re-
! ceived. had the manuscript been accept
| ed. an important consideration
| ''Oh. Mr.. Baird she exclaimed. trying
| 10 regain her composurc: 'I know IL was
a dreadfully dishoncrable thing TO- do: do:
| been for me i'm London. A woman has
no chance at all. and. for a girl like me. me
| possible 10 get work. I've lost heart ut
| terlv now. and I'm so tired Of II all"
l "Haye you met with any success at
| aIj?' he asked svmpathetically
| "Yes-a little. but not very much. and
/ nothing regular. got some fairly. reg
/ Mar work on the Morning Comet but
i the paper failed last summer and left
some money owing TO me. too she add
l cd sadly. -. .