Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-02-04
~ The 0uperstitions
 Qf Rhoda.
By Martha Endicott Eaton.
Copyrighted, 1908, by \. E. Daley.

The parlor in her little flat, which was also her study. was well lighted. Logs were burning brightly on the andirons. Everything was cozy and '.comfy." " Rhoda had drawn big chair close to the fire, and you would have thought she had everything heart could desire, but if you had looked hard you would have seen a tear on the long eyelashes.
 She was writer. Her stories had always sold well until lately.
 B-r-r-r-r went the doorbeil. Her maid let in a tall. good looking man with Gibson chin. Rhoda gave him her hand with a faint smile. Jack WeIles saw the tear she trieG to brush away. & @ sRhoda, dear, what is it?'
 "Well, to tell the truth, l am dis courayed-anothe rejection. Do you know, Jach-Fve just thought of it-I don't believe shall sell another story this year. It is my thirteenth year" ''No; you don't mean it?'
 Yes, and it is no use. might as well not write at all. I wonder if my money will hold out until next year." Jack roared with laughter He couldn't help it, she looked so serious, and he could see she firmly believed 1t. '.But, then" she continued. T did zee the moon through the glass this month."
 '.Is that bad?"
 "very bad. Didn't you know it, Jack?" No, I never give the moon thought"
 ssYou don't? Oh, how wish l didn't! If I see it face to face, you know, have lots of luck, and l bow three times and say Good evening, Lady Moon,' very politely"
 ''Why, Rhoda Stratton. never knew youv' exclaimed Jack. &
 q really can't help it, Jack. It's atayism, think.' ''Say, Rhoda. if you really think you won't sell any more stories this year, why don't you marry me, and then it won't matter?"
 Jack had asked her to marry him nearly every week for the last five years.
 T can't, Jack I don't want to be married" pleaded Rhoda. < "You'd better. You might starve." "No. I won't Maybe I can find a hunchback and touch his hump. and that will change my luck and break the spell of the thirteen"
 "R-h-o-d-ar' gasped Jack. "Wher' did you learn all this?" ------..---- q don't know. have always knowI it."
 q nearly forgot had tickets for tn theater. Get on your wraps. Mothe is coming for us in the carriage. Her she is"
 Rhoda laughed heartily all the even ing at the fun in the play. Afterwar they went for bite to eat. And yer tired Rhoda tumbled into bed tha night. Her trouble was forgotten fo awhile.
 But, alas. she dreamed. She dream ed spider was spinning web in tn rungs of her chair. &
 She remembered her dream when sh awoke and called to her maid to brin her book which was on her desl As she drank her early cup of tea habit formed in England-she peruse the pages of her dream book and foun what she wanted
 "To dream spider spins his we before you means you will receive sum of money"
 Much encouraged. Rhoda was 500 dressed. She always walked befol sitting down for a long day at h' desk.
 Today she did a thing unusual her. She took manuscript with h, and bearded an editor in his den. F took her story and promised to pa Judgment upon it shortly.
 Rhoda thanked him and walk home quickly. Her friends knew thu must never disturb her in the nor ing. At 5 o'clock, however. some gir came for tea. Rhoda always had sor new dainty for them. Today. aft finishing a new short story, she hi prepared some chopped walnuts al chopped pimentos and cream chee and mixed them into a paste al spread it on some dainty biscuits. T girls declared it very good.
 Only two came that afternoon. B bara Van Allen and Dolly Van Bru By and by Jack welles and his mott came: then Bob Kingsley. Bob was kindred spirit He was as super' tious as Rhoda.
 Look, Rhoda," he said; T found nail with its head toward me"
 "How luckyl I walked miles do Broadway. but no such luck came me-
 A scream of laughter came from girls.
 "wbat is it. BarbaraT' queried R da.
 ~sIr. Kingsley has a rabbits foot his pOcket-
 "Is it of a left hind leg from a r bit shot in a graveyardT' asked Rho
 "Rhoda.- exclaimed the girls.
 "she-s as bad as Bob" remarl Jack
 Well. that's the only foot thi lucky anyway.- said RhOda-
 "RhOis. dear. how can you bell such thfnEsg- asked Mrs. welles. girl 30 sensible In other ways and ,-Ss. ----s- ss ---4--t hsa~N f-rFn her vry