The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-06-21
THE HACK.
BY FRANK H. SWEET. lgO5 by Daily story FuD.

l Company.) I There was a hesitatins tap upon the door, then. as it was slightly aJar. 1t was pushed back and the Vis''or l looked in and then entereu. l 'Is this MT. Wilder?' | If the man at the desk heard he paid not the slightest attention. Ills coat was of. his collar, loosened at front and back dangled by one button upon his shoulder. Every few minutes as | his pen sped nervously across and down ] the page a fresh sheet was added to the pile at his left Two more had been | transferred, when:
 MT. Wilder?"
 "Yes?" impatiently.
 MT. Carter sent me" well, you'll have to wait few min utes. Sit down or look round. Some of the morning papers are over there on the table"
 The shoulders sloped a little more determinedly over the desk and the pen moved faster. After little hesi- tation the visitor crossed the room to the table.
 But evidently the morning papers had no attractions, for her eyes left them and went curiously about the room, to the bare walls, the leather-covered lounge-where a folded blanket on the foot hinted at the sleeping arrange ment-then across the desk over which the sloping figure was working with US back toward her, and so on round 10 the table again.
 Fastened to the wall above it was small bookcase, containing several dozen volumes, most of which were dictionaries and works of reference The visitors gaze wandered over the titles listlessly until 1t finally rested upon several books whose plain leather backs were unlettered. These at least offered a little uncertainty, and as the owner seemed wholly oblivious of her presence, she removed two of them and seated herself by the table.
 Not until she opened them did she realize that they were scrap books; but as the contents appeared to be stories and poems cut from various magazines, and not personal matter, her momentary scruples disappeared, the more quickly as she noticed every thing in them was written by Walter Wilder. Presently her curiosity. gave way to interest, then became absorp- tion. When the sloping back straight- ened with a jerk and its owners chair reyolved in her direction. 1t was she who was lost to the surroundings.
 Well" sharply, here's the article all ready. You may tell Mir. Carter that I understood 1t wasn't wanted till lUiHOliO"' OA ~ "ONAN A-N~ pared sooner. I-hello! woman"
 She had risen in some confusion, one of the scrap books still open in her hand.
 1T beg your pardon. sir" she stam- mered.
 Wilder's hands went to his throat, striving awkwardly to refasten his col lar His face was little redder than usual.
 T said here's the article" gruffly. T thought you were the office boy that Carter usually sends. You may tell him"
 But I don't know anything about the article,' she interrupted, regain ing her composure and her eyes be- ginning to dance at his unsuccessful efforts at the collar. Then her gaze dropped to the scrap book. and her expression suddenly changed.
 "Oh MT. Wilder" she cried impul- sively, some of these are beautiful. didn't know that you wrote things of this sort. I thought 1t was just news paper work, and like that.'
 How long have you known meT' dryly; fifteen minutes?"
 The girls face sobered little, then broke into frank smile.
 More than that" she declared; "a whole hour. It's this way. I want chance on the paper. MT Carter said no at first; but when I refused to take such an arbitrary answer and began to eulogize myself, he told me l might come and see you. He Faid you had been connected with the paper so long that you understood it's needs just as well as he did himself, and that If you found me promising, he would take me on trial for a few weeks"
 Wilder grinned satirically.
 Just like Carter" he commented; "dismisses the easy ones himself and send the stlckers to me. Take you on. Good Lord! We've got a dozen college friends and cousins of the pro- table and desk room. Young woman. you caught me at a disadvantage just now, so I'm going to give you a bit of sound fatherly advice, just such as some disinterested person ought to have given me twenty years ago. Take the first train back to your home and enter upon some occupation that will have sunrises and rose edges-yes, and sunsets. too-not just days and nights and running out to lunches. In your case it might be dressmaking or gardening or poultry raising
 The girl laughed.
 All stuff," she said, "and you're a living contradiction of it yourself, Mir. Wilder. You've reached the very pm ndCle or Ine pTOIeSSIOH. MT CdTttT told me you were one of the best--'' She hesitated a little, knitting her brows for the word.
 Hack writer's" suggested Wilder
 Why, yes." coloring, "I believe that was the term used. though he substi tuted general writer afterwards. But really, MT. Wilder" her eyes again beginning to glow, T don't see what reason you have to complain; a lead ing writer on a great paper. and the author of these beautiful things in the scrap book"
 He looked at her sharply to detect any hidden sarcasm; but there was none. only girlish enthusiasm and honest admiration. His face softened.
 T had almost forgotten about the scrap book" he said simply. T haven't looked into them for years. Those things were written before came to the city. more than twenty years ago. I had some little success, and 1t fired me to greater ambition. hurried to the city and became at tached to the great daily. I am still here, and have been very busy-so busy that it has crowded out all the rest Sometimes I have thought-but I beg your pardon" abruptly; MT. Car ter sent you to me for decision. What are your qualifications, any experi- ence?"
 No, sir, not in newspaper work"