The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1903-07-17

was discovered. and the terror of the hon
est wrong-doer took hold of her.
do you remember" continued Chur1a-.
side, what 1 called that story of which 4
sent the first part to the Ranabler7 I
thought it was Romance of q Summer,r
or something like that. but they musk
have muddled me up with somebody else.
for they call It "A Grip of.Iron!' They're
mighty complimentary, too, l must say"
he added. Listen:
Dear Sir: We nave read with atten-
ton your short story and think it is the
best thing we have hitherto had from you
Send us as much as you like OF the same
sort, and we can guarantee Insertion
"You will notice cheque enclosed is at
an increased rate Of remuneration, and
we consider The Grip Of Iron worth IL"
Now, did you ever hear anything like
that?" he continued in a puzzled voice.
very nice If I deserved 1t, but I never
wrote the thing in my life"
Nora's face had turned to a CHASTITY pal
Tor as he read, while her eyes glittered as
she saw the amount on the open cheque-
he held in his hand.
Mr.. Churnside,' she began, and with
speech greater strength came to her
Il have a confession to make to you
The Rambler sent back the part of the.
story you had sent to them, hey-theys
sad 1t was not very good-not suitable.
l z ~ IN - IL ~
wanted a story complete in one issue-I;
had brought down the MS. of a story L
had written to show you-you remember,
you asked me to do so?" and she gained
courage to look at him.
Churnside merely bowed his head.
you had evidently forgotten all about
having done So" she continued timidly.
but I had the MS. with me, and the
temptation was too great. I sent it to the
Rambler as If from you. Believe me-" she
| frprlNrn1@ E tT Z W. 49, ~
harm-I only wished to insure that my
story would have the justice OF being
read. They say beginners work is never
read-I did not mean to hurt your reputa-
tion-indeed, indeed Ibid not" Q
Seems to me you have increased it,
Churnside said rather bitterly. Did 1t
never occur to you, Miss Nugent, that you
we're doing a dishonorable th:ng in open
ing my letters, and a dishonest one In
using my name"
I opened the letter with no d%ishonor-
able Intention" she answered ma
you left early on that day, and you had
Iola me they might want the second in
staJment of your story in a hurry-so I
opened 1t to see. and meant to leave a
note Tor you. saying I could either re-
turn to type It that night, or do it at
home. II you sent me tia rough copy.
Il was very wrong in what I did, ana I
am sorry, but II you think me dishonest.
I had better go-and she turned towards
the door.
Stop a minute" said Churnside, as hs
fingered the cheque. This is yours; !
mad better sign 1T in your favor, and then
Rambler and ~explain-as the think so
nightly Of your work they will probably
take more OF ft-but of course you under
stand ! cannot run the risk Of your OPEN
ing any more of my letters"
You mean" said Nora, as she turned
| and 1ndtPnanfIV fanod him sf1o+ ,,o,, Il,
miss me from your service? I think r
told you l was going without waiting *,
be d1smissed-but listen one moment, she
cried pa~ss,onate!y, before you send me
money.
Much as I require it, I would rather
not take the cheque. 7 did not mean to
steal your reputation-I only wished to in
sure my tale being read-for : felt it had
eriS III 1T nave made a dreadful mis-
TAKE, ana lam sorry, but you don't know
-Syou don't know what it is to be starving
like we are.
THE lunch yol gave me on Wednesday
was the first meal I had tasted for weeks.
we have no fire N this bitter cold weather
and l am trusting to what YOU owe me
to meet the rent Of our poor little room.
Churnslde,s heart began to smite him,
as he heard the piteous tale, and saw her
bitter distress.
BY Joye, what a pretty little head she
pas ne y as he stood helpIessly
looking at her.
In a few minutes the sobs ceased, and
she again rose to go. Quickly he stepped
betHeen her and the door.
Miss Nugent, will you forgive me 2.
ne said gently, II was a brute, 1 confess,
I was angry and Jealous Of your hsing;
able to write better than I could-and, q
lost my temper. Here take the cheque-
1t is you who have earned it-buy what
you need, and come back tomorrow at the
usual time"
The novel Of the year-some ewo, years
later-was said to be one by the joint
authors, C. G. and N. Churnside," but
Geoffrey always says he owes the greater
part of the fame he now enjoys to his
clever and original wife.