The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-04-30
+" The Long Arm."

X,
editor of the Monthly Rocket" sat alone
in his room at a large desk. strewn with
papers and cuttings. gazing thoughtfully
at the sheets of manuscript which he had
taken from a pile before him.
81 cant understand IL at ALL" he was
thinking. Except for the change of
scene, and the matter OF turning a colli-
sion into fire--the two stories are prac-
tically identical. At any rate, they're
rather too similar for me to pass the
matter over. The extra chapter Is original
enough. though, and really well written.
Ill admit. But what on earth possessed
the fellow TO send 1t here out OF all the
offices I'm town where ii might have gone
instead? The whole thing is quite be-
yond me-
II don't know quite what to say at this
early stage I'm the proceedings" he said
slowly but. let me see, first OF all.
what's the sender's name and address
All. Claude Hellingham. IA cadogan
street, W."
lie paused irresolutely for second.
and 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 ) o'clock on Thursday afternoon.
! or my representative will be glad 10
There. that ought to fetch him." said
the man with peculiar smile. as he
tor" Then directing the envelope to the
address given. on the manuscript, he
posted IL at the corner OF the street on
his way home.
On the afternoon OF the following
Thursday, Douglas Baird sat I'm his office
again. lie was obviously not quite at his
ease, and from time to time he would
open one OF the drawers of his desk and
examine the papers IL contained. as IL
TO assure himself that none of them were
missing. Presently he looked at his
watch
lin! a quarter past, three already"
he mused. II wonder II my correspond
ent Is going to hight shy, after allg",
guy. In answer to his somewhat surly
Come in" the visitor entered.
The. editor OF the Monthly Rocket
slightly raised his eyebrows. Accustomed
as he was To all sorts and conditions OF
visitors, II was 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
and returned her timid greeting with n
geniality calculated TO dispel her very
obvious nervousness.
1t 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 "A child. but the girlish
mouth had assumed curve of unnatural
full of that awful fear which is to be seen
only In the eyes of the refined poor
81 have n letter from Mr.. Baird, the
editor-I don't know if YOU are hc--ask-
II am the editor, certainly; but ! can I
recollect writing To Miss--Chester. In
fact. I expect some one else at this hour. =
MIR. Claude iIelingham, perhapsy
Yes! Do you know him. theny' asked
.oh, g, yes; YES think think ,,'1 may say do, .,,,
fact. IL am the individual hlmselfv'
II don't quite understand, returned
Baird wonderineiy. rs there such a per-
''oh yes, very much so--Im he--or.
rather. he's my nom de guerre.' she an
swered quietly, seeming To enjoy his evil
''You?'' he replied you? What on
earth made YOU take such a pseudonym?''
he demanded wonderingly.
"Oh! because l thought mans name
would give my story better chance of
acceptance But why did you write 10
mc?' she continued anxiously. II was
you had accepted the tale. You arc going
10 publish II. aren't your she added, all
her smiles vanishing
lily: II don't think I shall
The girls eyes filled at the answer. and
as he saw the bitter disappointment in
her face, the editor began TO feel quite
rcmorseful. ~ was a deuced awkward
business. hc told himself.
II am sorry. Miss Chester" he said.
pulling himself together with an effort.
\ that you should have Thought my letter
meant acceptance ~ your contribution.
Before We go any further, however. Jet
me ask you one question Did YOU send
I'm that story. The Solitary Soul as
a pause ensued. The ticking of a clock
on the mantelpiece alone broke the si-
lence OF the room. The editor watched
the woman keenly--a sudden spasn'
came into her eyes. Then for the nrst
time the man noticed her pallor and the
poverty OF her attire. she had clasped
her hands together. as VI 90 make al Az
peal. and he saw that even her gloves
we're carefully mended
III YOU would rather not answer" he