The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-09-17

POindeXter pulled the sheet OF paper
from the typewriter carriage and added
it TO the pile in the wire basket beside
him. He caught UP the last few pages
and reTead them with a glow Of pride.
for he knew that at last he had written
a story OF flesh and blood instead Of the
mildly innocuous romance7 that had add
ed to his bank account but not TO his
fame.
Ever since that night six months be
fore. when he had come back 10 his dark
ened home to find the note on the dress
er Of his room notifying him that Agnes
had gone away with the man he had
considered his best friend. he had work
ed with feverish energy upon the novel.
He had taken little Elsie and had
crossed the continent with her that she
should be far removed from all who
might aliude 20 her mother
As they sat in the car. the child lost
in wonder at the constantly shifting
scene. he had planned the story. and once
he had made his new home, he had set to
work.
All the bitterness Of his heart he had
written into the book It was the plain
tale Of his own experience. told with the
simple directness Of one who feels deep
ly, except that into the last chapter he
had written ar ending such as he wished
that she might suffer Almost gloatingly
he drew the picture Of remorse and shame
that followed the desertion. and now
reading Il over he shuddered at the evil
picture his own fierce desire had con-
jured up.
For Years he had sought a theme that
should lead him 10 his real great accom-
pllshment. Agnes. too. had sought TO
help him. but their lines had fallen in
the pleasant places and he wrote things
that were salable. but. not great.
Then she had left HIM for Tredgar. a
man who had done things, and his in
splration had come. lie knew that he
had done we'll. that this book would
bring him fame and opportunity. and ne
smiled as he gathered the sheets together
and prepared them for mailing He had
kept IN touch with his Eastern connec-
lions and Blauvelt, the publisher, had
asked for the first reading
He was bent over the desk writing the
address when there came the patter Of
bare feet across the uncarpeted floor and
ilC lODhCN w AAthA ais WI n.
What is it, daughter he asked, as
ne took the little nightgowned figure in
his lap.
L was lonesome explained Elsie
You didn't come to kiss me goodnight
like you said you would. daddy. I wait
ed and waited and waited. Then I Just
had 10 come. Is you most done daddy?"
"All done, dear" ne said with an af
fectionate pat on the package at his
elbow II was so interested that I even
forgot my little Elsie"
And it's going to make you a great
big MANI" she demanded. It's going to
make you famous and happy, dadGy?"
Famous and happy" he repeated. IT'S
my great work. dear"
I'm so glad. she whispered content
edly, patting the pale cheek, wasted to
thinness by his sorrow and absorption IN
his work Some day when I get a big
girl. great big girl. I'll read 1t and tell
all the other girls that my daddy wrote
that great book, and they'll all be mad
because their papas can't write books
like my papa can
Poindexter shivered and drew the little
form closer to him. Not once in all these
months had he thought Of that result.
He had worked steadily with one purpose
of holding this woman who had been
his wife up 10 shame He had given no
thought to the child. Not once had he
realized that there would come a day
when she would read with understanding
the story Of her mothers disgrace. He
had to let her think that Agnes was dead.
Simple statement sufficed the childish
mind, but the day would come when per-