The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-09-19
THE LOST MANUSCRIPT

TIE LOO 1. MAN OOShlI
Taber
Copyrighted by the Foreign Story Syndicate Co.. Burling
ton, VT.
Nine o'clock just striking.
The little city, already almost asleep, wrapped
in silence and all honest people safe at home with
their doors carefully locked.
Nevertheless, there sound of footsteps on the
pavement Who would stay out late this and brave
ladys shoes could give that light, quick tap-tap. But
who? Mr.. Grundy, who happened sitting his
window hastily put up his blinds and looked out.
Pickering light a lamp recognized
the sweet tired features of Jeanne Berlin the pretty lit
tie orphan girl.
that the dressmaker for whom the young girl worked
ball gowns. With sigh Of relief the worthy man
closed the blinds again and went off to bed.
walked quickly along She in hurry to
get back to the little where she lived alone for
she wanted to finish story in which she deeply
interested In the midst of her sad and monotonous
flower in the shade turns toward the she
constantly looking forward to the hours when she might
read fill of poetry and beautiful stories
Suddenly she caught sight Of something white lying
tating little she licked # With her foot then her
curiosity getting the better of she picked it
At home her lamp lighted she examined her discov-
cry She read the address:
Monsieur Henri Vidal.
Editor-n-chief of the Poets Echo. :"
It must be lost manuscript, dropped by the author
she thought
The title pleased her:
Far From the Word!'
She turned the page and read little The style
was simple words, harmoniousy grouped, made
sweet music as she softly read them aloud The story
interesting and delightful It told of the fight OF
lovers place unknown far from the world
Jeanne turned the pages eagerly The time flew BY
wings gold she read and dreamed. The author
must Of course be like the hero Of this story ne must
who looked 1ongngly at her every morning
they met in the street He must be poor naturally
for all writer's but good, generous and brave
But how could he have lost his manuscript? He must
hay
might accepted, he went along, thinking
of other subjects, fall Poor how badly
he must feel now for writer's they say
as mothers their children. But how had he signed
it? Perhaps She would know him = the city
de-plume. There hope of being able to
return it to him. Poor boy-she would much
to give his story back to him. What do with
it? Why how very simple She would take it herself
tomorrow the newspaper office to which it was di-
rected. And she had torn the envelope.
she took another and copied the address
day. frightened and almost ashamed Of such
holiness, trembling, in the office of the Poets
Echo" and to speak with the editor-in-chef
The office boy, in the Of who knows
his own Importance held out piece OF paper to her.
rite your name madenose11e and the object of
your call"
Jeanne, much troubled, obeyed the command and
wrote:
Jeanne Berth desires to submit manuscript to
editors chief"
A few moments after she ushered into little
gentleman surrounded by files
of letters and papers. 1t NJ. Herr Vidal
"Mademoiselle,' he said, Jeanne entered, please
sit down. You wished to bring me a manu-
scrpt?'
eyes sir, L found
"a story?''
II think that is what you would cali it. sir"
'Will you read it to me?"
'But, sir, , : ~
please be kind enough to do so. mademoisele. My
eyes condition and perhaps you read
it, there will be more chance Of it's being accepted
Accepted said accepted! He evidently
the author and it to leave him in
but he said he might accept it if she read it to
him. Surely, would give the unknown author the
greatest had known if he were to pick up the
paper and read it there!
She began read, and her heart suggested exactly
the right expression that it sounded like
wonderful melody.
"Good, very good, mademoiselle will take your
manuscript but must not sign it Pierrot; write
Pierrette will have much greater success,
feminism is all the fad at present.
sought protest, but the editor interrupted
her:
you sign it Perrette, he said st will publish it
in my next ISSUE
She acquiesced
week after this interview that had turned out SO
strangely Jeanne received a note from M Vidal bid