Bismarck daily tribune., 1908-12-29
]iction 4
ON THE REBOUND.
By GARFIELD MAcNgAL.

IS AAAA1AuA AhS0NWNAA q "NnS OAA Sk2S
morning Of her thirtieth birthday to
the sickening consciousness that she
was an old maid. She parted the
cretonne 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 and dull gray sky
proclaimed q cherries November day.
She sighed. Then, stretching out a
1shapely arm, she took a silver hand
mirror from the nearby dressing table
and carefully studied her features.
In the language Of Shakespeare, she
saw mo deeper wrinkles yet" face
long and oval, patrician in outline and
expression, skin rather olive, eyes
brown, deep and luminous, mouth
generously nodded and a wealth of
brown hair. On the whole, 1t was
notable face and one Of character.
Dropping the mirror Oh the bed, she
called "Lois!'' A French maid, neat,
trim and smiling, appeared with the
breakfast tray.
"Ah, ma'ns.selle! A thousand con-
gratulations on your birthday"
"My thirtieth, Lois. But thank you
just the same.''
"Ma'mselle Is still young, and al
ready fame has come to you. And
when your novel is published the world
will be at your feet" said Lois, with a
comprehensive sweep indicating the
world.
"Oh, yes, the novel!' murmured her
mistress, sitting up and starting in on
her coffee and rolls, while the maid
laid bundle Of letters and manu-
scripts on the bed.
Miss Treadwell opened the one bulky
package and looked at the accompany
ing letter. 1t was from 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 declined-her first
really original work, to which she had
given the leisure hours Of six years!
Truly, this was most delightful birth
day gift.
"Lois," she said, and her voice trem-
bled Lois. my novel has been de-
clined."
"Ah, ma'm'selle, am too sorry
1 with quick sympathy .'but some other
publisher will accept it,
4 Her mistress shook her head. 81
shall not send 1t out again. shall
stick to hack work can at least
make a living at that" Then she add
ed reflectively. My life has been a
Il failure"
Lois protested. She worshiped her
mistress ''Ma'm'selle has been sue
cessful. You have pretty apartment
and everything you want
i ..Other women, too, have pretty
apartments and everything they
want" <a ss<
"Ah, yes, but they did not work for
them," said Lois, WITH worldly
shrug, as she went in response to the
electric bell, which at this moment
buzzed loudly in the hall.
i She reappeared with a huge white
box. Flowers, ma'm'selle, and note,
she said gayly.
j Miss Treadwell cut the ribbon that
held the box and disclosed mass oi
yiolets. They seemed to look up al
her tenderly, yet shrinkingly. as she
J bent over them. With sigh Of pleas
ure she took the note and studied the
bold handwriting Of the superscrip
{ ton. Her heart jumped. Surely Il
\ was Jacks! Dear old Jack had re
membered her!
She slit across the end Of the en-
velope while her fingers trembled ant
eagerly unfolded the paper.
Dear Lillian" she read, ssmay !
hope that this remembrance Of youl
Ibirthdag will prove that i have MOI
!. forgotten you? have been in towI
two days. secured your addres.
& from C.'s Magazine and send these
flowers to warn you that am coming
to invade your sanctum sanctorum ant
talk over old times Always you
4 friend, Jack Ainsworth.'' =
She started up, scattering letters ant
manuscripts on the floor. Lois" sh,
said decidedly. Il want you to lay ou
my new morning gown, the sea greer
one with the train.''
Sitting down at her dressing table
she began careful toilet. He
thoughts were busy with the past
Jack had been her girlhood friend ii
the little inland town where they wer,
both born and bred. Again she wa
twenty-four and he was twenty six
Why had he never spoken? She knew
he loved her, and perhaps she hat
loved him, too, then. But when he
mothers death left her alone in til,
world she was seized with the desir,
to come to New York to try her for
tune. Jack had advised against it. bu
a strange peryersity made her deaf t,
his warnings.
At first they had kept up a CORE
spondence. Soon even that link wa
broken as she was drawn more ant
more into the absorbing whirl of news
paper and magazine work. For fiv,
years no letters had passed betweel
them. To be sure. she had heard Of hir
indirectly = how he gradually forge
e.