The Wichita daily eagle., 1904-04-03
HER REALISTIC STORY
For the Sunday Eagle:

For the Sunday Eagle:
Here's a letter for you from tht
Record, Joan. It's too light to be return
ed manuscript" and giving it to hel
friend Miss Aymer passed into the bed
room to remove her wraps. When Miss
Aymer returned the open letter lay or
Joans lap and a smile was on her face.
Ruth, they want story; something
new and realistic. What shall it be-"
New and realistic?" repeated Ruth
You'll have to cut out the boy going
home to the farm. for that isn't new; and
you can't use one of your little 'Reveries,
for they aren't realistic You'd better
make it a love story; they are rather
scarce now, for everything is about the
business man or the woman with a ca
reer."
Yes, and the business man hasn't time
nor temperament for love, while the wo-
man with 4 career doesn't want it
''Or has wanted it too much" broke in
Ruth. Joan rose abruptly and went to the
piano. Laying the letter upon the bench
beside her, she began to play the Charm
made Serenade-the one that suggests
a warm, windless night in the tropics and
she turned abruptly. Ruth, I've got it
new and realistic.'
why didn't you finish the Serenade,
Joan? You should have been musician
anyway. Why weren't your"
TOO lazy, Ruth. A pianist must prac-
tice, whether or no. To write you need
only wait for inspiration--or desperation.
But my story-it's a little episode that
concerned a. certain man and myself a
love story, as you suggested. 1t will be
hard to write for at the time it was very
real, though it will make fine story"
Perhaps. if they pay you enough, you
can indulge in American Beauty roses;
you haven't bought any for quite a
while
NO, my stories haven't brought in
enough lately for me to squander money
on roses, and Mr. Walker always brings
violets. Ruth. I know my story Will be a
good one, for even when 1t happened 1
was keenly aware of its dramatic pOssi-
bilities. That's one reason I've never low
ed anybody. Ruth. One part of me has
always stood off and watched proceedings.
I'll write my story after dinner if 1 can
re-create the proper state Of feelings"
''And buy your roses later?'
q hope So Ruth; the man in my story
used to bring me American Beauties
Three weeks later, when Miss Aymer
came home shivering from the cold wind
of the lake, she found the tall rose jars
full of American Beauties.
Joan, did you sell your story?"
: Yes. and they paid me thirty-flve dol
lars. I expected only twenty, you know,
so I put that away and with the rest
bought roses
''Fhree dozen? You extravagant girl.'
''No, 1 got two dozen and then bought
you that Madonna you wanted for your
birthday gift. III give it to you tonight
I never can keep gifts till the proper
time"
fYou dear child! Just what l wanted
but should never have bought it for my
self Joan. Mr. Walker is coming up to-
night and is going to bring a friend with
him. Well go TO the theater and have a
little supper up here later"
But when Mi Walker appeared he was
Elone. My friend couldn't come, for at
the last minute he got track Of an old
schoolmate OF his who is on some paper
and he had to hunt her up. He didn't
tell me much about it. but evidently he
wtAnted to see her badly, for he had been
S.lfully anxious to meet you both.
A little later Joan sent Ruth and Mr..
Walker off to the theater while she, ex-
cusing herself because of a cold, remain
ed to enjoy her flowers and TO read her
story in that nights Record.
AS she looked it over the whole episode
and the days following it came before her
vividly even more so than on the night
she had written the story. Long after
Ruth had fallen asleep Joan had sat by
the fire writing. Then when it was ended
she had stood by the window for many
minutes. looking ont over the snowy roofs
and listening to the howl of the wind from
the lake The reVerie was suddenly
broken by the voice Of the landlady at the
speaking tube. Yes, she's in and then
the woman stepped to the door. a gen
tleman to see you. Miss Etliers.'
..All right show him in" said Joan, and
a moment later a tall man stood before
her-the hero of her Christmas story.
Yes. it is [. Joan. Have l a welcome?'
His only answer was pair of out
stretched hands which sought his and
clung to them.
BY the story in the Record tonight.
Joan. I was heart sick for you, for life
has been unsatisfying for me since We
parted three years ago When L read the
story tonight. l saw as never before that
/ did wrong in trying to crush out your
artistic tastes and 1 made up my mind
to find you and ask me to forgive me.
/ left my friend abruptly, went to the
Office and after a long persuasion got your
address from the editor and came here.
And brought the real Christmas spirit
with you. whispered Joan.
$50 your career is ended" said Ruth
late that night.
.'Yes. unless Guy fails to keep me sup
plied with American Beauties. answered
loan. MOLLIE WARREN.