The broad ax., 1908-12-05
Fiction
ON THE REBOUND.
By GARFIELD MAcNEAL.

the sickening consciousness that she
was an old maid She parted the
eretonne curtains Of her bed, curtains
covered with red roses. suggestive OF
summer sunshine. and turned her eyes
toward the window. Rain beating
against the panes ana dun gray sky
proclaimed a cherries November dag.
She sighed. Then. stretching out a
shapely arm, she took q silver hand
mirror from the nearby dressing table
and carefully studied her features.
In the language Of Shakespeare, she
saw mo deeper wrinkles get" face
long and oval. patrician In outline and
expression. skin rather olive, eyes
brown, deep and luminous, q mouth
generously nodded and a wealth OF
brown hair. On the whole. it was
notable face and one Of character.
Dropping the mirror on the bed, she
called 'LoisF" A French maid, neat,
trim and smiling appeared with the
breakfast tray.
"Ah, ma'm'seIlel A thousand con-
ordinations on your birthday"
my thirtieth, Lois. But thank you
Just the same"
"Ma'm'selle is sim young, and al
ready fame has come to you. And
when your novel Is published the world
viii be at your feet, " said Lois, with a
comprehensive sweep indicating the
world
''0h, yes, the novelP' murmured her
mistress, sitting up and starting in on
her coffee and rolls, while the maid
laid a bundle Of letters and manu-
scripts on the bed.
Miss Treadwen opened the one bulky
package and looked at the accompany
ing letter. It was from a great pub
fishing house formally expressing re-
gret that they were unable to accept
her novel.
She gulped down something In her
throat her novel deelined-her first
really original work, TO which she had
given the leisure hours Of six yearsl
Truly, this WIS a most delightful birth
day gift
Lois" she said, and her voice trem-
bled-'Lois, my novel has been de-
clined."
"Ah, ma'm'seTe. I am too sorry"-I
with quick sympathy-''but some other
publisher VIII accept it."
Her mistress shook her head. II
shall not send # out again. shall
stick to hack work / can at least
make living at that" Then she add
ed rehectiyeIy, my life has been a
failure"
Lois protested She Worshiped her
mistress. ''Ma'm'selle has been sue
cessful You have a pretty apartment
and everything you want"
~0ther women, too, have pretty
apartments and everything they
want"
"Ah, yes, but they did not work for
them" said Lois, with a worldly
shrug, as she went in response to the
electric bell, which at this moment
buzzed loudly in the han.
She reappeared with q huge white
box. Flowers. ma'm'selle, and a note"
she said gayly.
Miss Treadweu cut the ribbon that
held the box and disclosed a mass Of
TiOlets. They seemed to look up az
her tenderly. yet shrinkingiy. as she
bent over them. With q sigh Of pleas
ure she took the note and studied the
bold handwriting Of the superscrip-
ton. Her heart jumped. Surely II
was Jaek'si Dear old Jack had re-
membered heri
She slit across the end OF the en-
velope while her fingers trembled and
eagerly unfolded the paper.
Dear Lillian she read, may
hope that this remembrance OF your
birthday win prove that I have not
forgotten your have been In town
two days I secured your address
from C.'s Magazine and send these
flowers to warn You that am coming |
to invade your sanctum sanctorum and |
talk over old times. Always your
friend, Jack Ainsworth."
She started up, scattering letters and /
manuscripts on the floor. Lois" she /
said decidedly. Il want you to lay out
my new morning gown. the sea green
one with the trainP
Sitting down at her dressing table,
che began q careful toilet Her
thoughts were busy with the past
Jack had been her girIhood friend IN
the little inland town where they were
both born and bred Again she was
tWenty-four and be was tEenty-six-
Why had be never spoken7 She knew
be loved her. and perhaps she had
loved him, too, then. But when her 4
mothers death lefG her alone IN the
world she was seized with the desire
to come to New YORK 10 try her for
tune. Jack had advised against It but I
q strange perversity made her deaf %
his warnings.
At nrst they had kept up . eorre-
Epondence. Soon even that INK Was
broken as she was drawn more and
more into the absorbing Whiri Of news
paper and magazine work For ave
years no letters had passed between
mem. 10 Be sure, she had heard q him /