Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-05-02
DAILY SHORT STORY
AS Reviewed by the Editor.


after luncheon cigar with a gesture of
pleased relaxation. He had walked
through the park on his way TO the
office. 1t was j little three cOrnered
affair that seemed a tiny oasis of re-
freShment where the two busy streets
met. He had often come that way,
but had never noticed those sweet
smelling bushes before. 1t had been
nine years since he had smelled 4
hedge like that. Chandler didn't real
ize il, but for the time being the fra
GRANGE of it fingered in his nostrils
and performed curious feats with his
memory.
He glanced at the bundle of manu-
scripts that had been put on his desk
just before he left the office. One had
fallen directly in the center of the
desk somewhat separated from the
others. 1t seemed to challenge his i'm
mediate supervision. and its soiled.
grimy aspect tickled his fancy.
Unless my editorial eyes deceive
me, you have Travelled much, little
crow black missive," he laughed, TAX
ing it up gingerly.
The usually stern. businesslike Chan
dler was experiencing a tender hearted
hour. Nevertheless his editorial soul
groaned when he saw the title. The
Unlucky Birthday Stone" was too
much for him even in his most merci-
full mood.
He saw a little jingle about the Feb
ruary born. Now, it happened that
the editor had carried a little anne
thyst ring in his pocket for ten years.
1t was u childish little ring. with the
inscription Marion. 1898" and. though
he did not often remember that it was
there, he thought of it as he sat gazing
at that silly manuscript. There had
been months, even, when he had for
gotten the existence of that ring. He
had kept it, he didn't know why, but
always when lie had thrown away the
useless trifles that accumulate he had
found room to keep that.
He had known one February girl,
and he determined to please this other
child if he could. OF course it was
q child. No one but an audacious in
nocent would send in n manuscript
with such Il title. He could easily ac-
cept it, send her small check out of
his own pocket to buy a bangle with,
then make waste paper out of the poor
child's literary effort.
The first paragraph mentioned
hammock under Il mulberry tree. 1t
WAS queer, he thought, that she Sc
lected mulberry tree. and
by GeOrge"-the editors mercy was
now transformed into curiosity-"she
says there was one of those hedges
between the hammock and the house,
Finally the sheets of paper dropped
on the desk, and he sat thinking with
a puzzled. awed expression.
ITO think that l should find it out
like this-ten years afterward" He
mopped the cold perspiration from his
brow. The editors memory was doing
some lively work now.
so she saw me that night just
when that fool of a blond widow put
her head on my shoulder and l didn't
have courage TO push it off,
He pounded the desk in n way that
should have given the blond widow
joy of her very absence.
And Marion left next morning
without seeing me. left me that let
ter. and went to her brother out west"
He looked at the address given for
the return of the manuscript 1t was
q small town in the adjoining state.
The name of the writer was either a
nom de plume or some one that knew
Marion'S story.
Next day there was an acting editor
in Chambers place and Chandler him
self was on the southbound train.
He stood NVoifiDr for. la,. fta- tho
servant had taken his card. his heart
humping like Il frightened schoolboy's
at his impulSive step.
Would it be Marion, and if Marion
somehow the idea that she might be
had not come to him before.
The door opened. and tall. slender
woman came toward him. 1t was she,
but paler than he had ever seen her.
so glad, Robert" she took his hand
with Il shy impulsiveness, and he re
with joy her old habit of
gasping her words in short sentences
when unduly excited.
rs it Marion-stilI?" he asked. hold.
ing both her hands fast and gazing
anxiOusly irto her gray eyes.
She knew what he meant and smiled
1T is Marion-still,'' she re
piled.
Il never knew until yesterday why
you left" putting the manuscript in |
her hand. Her face flushed
How did you get it:' she finally |
asked, with an increased shortness of |
breath.
Il have recently become editor of |
the magazine you sent it to-"
session completely, and answered in |
an agony of embarrassment
Il have been writing for five years. |
This is not the name 1 generally use. |
This little story was so different, silly !
perhaps, that l would not send it IN |
der my usual pen name. 1t has been /
again and again. My own
interest in it made me determined TO |
keep sending it until it was accepted
He had taken something from his
pocket.