The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1903-07-17


was discovered and the terror of the hon
est wrong -doer took hold of her.
do you remember continued Churn-
side what called that story of which
sent the first part to the Rambler?
| thought it was Romance of d Summer,
or something like that, but they must
have muddled me up with somebody else,
for they call 1t A Grip of from They're
mighty complimentary, too, l must say
| he added. Listen:
Dear Sir: We have 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, ana
we consider The Grip of Iron worth IT,.
Now did you ever hear anything IKE
| that?" he continued in puzzled voice;
very nice if I deserved it, but l never
wrote the thing in my life"
| Nora's face had turned to CHASTITY pal
| lor as he read, while her eyes gilttered 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
! II have a confession to make to you.
The Rambler sent back the part Of the
story you had sent to them. they-they
sad 1t was not very good-not suitable.
| 1 mean" she fastened TO add-"they
wanted a story complete in one ISSUE
had brought down the MS. of a story
had written to show you-you remember
| you asked me to do SOP 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
implored, II did not mean TO do you
harm-I only wished to insure that my
story would have the justice Of being
read They say beginners work is neve,
read-I did not mean to hurt your reputa.
tion-indeed, indeed l did not"
Seems to me you have increased it,
Churnside said rather bitterly. Did II
never occur to you, Miss Nugent, that yot
>vere doing a dishonorable thing in open
ing my letters and a dishonest one il
| using my name?"
| Il opened the letter with no dishonor
able Intention" she answered Indignantly
| you left early on that day, and you ha(
| told me they might want the second IN
stalment of your story in a hurry-so
opened it to see, and meant to leave s
note for you, saying I could either re
turn to type it that night, or do it a
home, If you sent me the rough copy.
Il was very wrong in what did and
am sorry, but if you think me dishonest
had better go-and she turned toward
the door.
Stop a minute" said Churnsidc, as h
fingered the cheque. This is yours;
had better sign 1t in your favor, and thel
you can cash it. l shall write to tn
Rambler and eNplain-asl they think s.
highly of your work they will probabl.
take more of it-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 tyrnet
and Indignantly faced him, that you dis
miss me from your service? ! think
told you I was going without waiting t.
be d1Snlssed-but listen one moment" sh
cried pass:ona tely, "before you send m
away in disgrace. 1 have not stolen YOU
money.
Much as I require it, T would rattle
not take the cheque. 1 did not mean t
steal your reputatio only wished to in
sure my tale being rCad-for [ felt it ha
grit In i'll have made a dreadful mis-
take, and l am sorry, but you don't knoy
you don't know what it is to be staryi,
like We are.
The lunch yo'I gave me on Wednesda
was the first meal had tasted for weeks
we have no fire in this bitter cold weathe
and I am trusting to what you owe m
to meet the rent of OUR poor little room,
Churnslde's heart began to smite him
as he heard the piteous tale, and saw he
bitter distress.
by Jove, what pretty little head sh
has he thought, as he stood helrlessl
looking at her.
In few minutes the sobs ceased, an
she again rose to go. Quickly he steppe
between her and the door,
Miss Nugent, will you forgive mep
he said gently, "I was brute, I comics
was angry and jealous of your bein
able to write better than I could-and
lost my temper. Here take the cheoue.
1t is you who have earned it-buy wha
you need, and come back tomorrow at tn
usual time" =. =
Inc novel of the year-sonle two yea,
later-Was said to be one nv tba ioi,
| - J1ii