Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1903-07-09
THE EDITOR READ AND REREAD THE LIT
TILE STORY.

Several weeks had elapsed since a
blue envelope had added to the number
Of letters on the editors desk, when one
morning he searched through the heap
of manuscripts and nothing blue met
his eye.
Disappointment was his first sensa-
ton; then his heart began to beat
faster, for long, white, commonplace
looking envelope with a familiar hand
writing across it stared him in the
face. He tore it open nervously. Beth
had begun her career.
Leaning back in his chair, the editor
read and re-read the little story. Yes"
he thought, ''it is good. 1t is well told.
1t is well worth printing"
A realization of the fact that Beth's
story was good took her farther and
farther from Forrest. He read it again,
and as he finished the last page light
dawned on his face.
Turning to his stenographer, he die
tated businesslike and still some
what friendly letter to Beth. He told
her the story was not bad, yet it was
not available for publication. He re-
Trained from inclosing the usual printed
slip, he said, fearing that it might dis
courage her He would keep the manu-
script, and she could, if she desired,
submit others to him for his criticism.
When the letter was signed, the editor
wore a more hopeful expression than
had been on his face since his return.
He saw n way out of his own unhappi-
ness. He would win Beth yet.
After that his letters were always die
tated to her. Less and less of the lover
was suggested in them and more of the
critical editor One by one her manu-
scripts came to him, and one by one
they We're folded and placed in the
drawer reserved for them. Each one
brought back to Beth a letter saying
there was an improvement, but that
they We're still unavailable"
The stories came frequently for
months. and very few little blue let
ters came to Forrest The manuscripts
were better than any he was printing
monthly in his magazine, but he must
gain his end. He was not an editor in
this case. He was determined wooer.
Fewer stories and more blue letters
began td arrive from the little home
town. Could he read between the lines
that Encouragement was dawning In
Beth's heart? 1t was with difficulty
that the editor kept within the limits
of New York when each letter now
said plainly, Il am tired of my career"
But he would wait.
One day an editorial i'll Bcth's unmis-
taxable style arrived ut the office It
was her first attempt at editorial writ
ing, but it was a success. Women and
Careers" 1t was headed, and it dealt
harshly with the woman who gives up
the opportunities to possess home
and husband for a career, especially
literary career "a woman" the edi-
torial stated, sis not intended for ca
reering, but to help man in his"
If it had not been for the picture of n
probably tear stained little face some
miles from New York and a detected
little figure, Editor Harwood would
in which the editorial was written.
AS it was, he closed his desk early
that evening, giving orders that he
would not be at the office for n day or
two. He also sent to the printers be-
fore leaving the office the first of Sc
ries of short stories to be published in
the magazine.
Beth" he said when he had held
her hand in greeting longer than was
absolutely necessary for an editor to
hold his contributors hand, 'the edIto-