The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1908-02-07
The
Superstition
Of hoda.
BY M.rth. Endicott Eaton.
Copyrighted, 1908. by n. e. Daley.

Copyrighted, 1908. by n. e. Daley. ]
1t was evening. Rhoda had dined
The parlor in her little fiat, which was
also her study. was well lighted
Logs were burning brightly on the
andirons. Everything was cozy and
comfy"
Rhoda had drawn a big chair close
to the fire. and you would have
thought she had everything heart
could desire. but II you had looked
hard you would have seen a tear on
the long %eyelashes.
She was a writer. Her stories had
always sold well until lately.
B-r-r-r-r went the doorbell. HeI
maid let in a tall. good looking mar
with a Gibson chin. Rhoda gave him
her hand with a faint smile.
Jack Welles saw the tear she tried
to brush away.
"Rhoda, dear, what ia it!'
well. to tell the truth. I am dis
couraged-another rejection. Do you
know. Jack-I've just thought Of tt
don't believe l shall sell another story
this year. 1t is my thirteenth year"
"No; you don't mean it?"
Eyes. and it is no use. l might as
we'll not write at all. 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 it,
"But. then" she continued. II did
see the moon through the glass this
month"
els that bad?"
every bad. Didn't you know it,
JACKIE"
mo. l never give the moon a
thought"
you don't? Oh. how I wish
didn't! II see it face to face. you
know. I have lots Of luck. and l bow
three times and say Good evening.
L4dysMoon,' very politely"
"why. Rhoda stratton. I never knew
you!!' exclaimed Jack.
II really can't help It. Jack. It's
atavism. I think"
Say. Rhoda. II you really think you
won't sell any more stories this year,
Why don't you marry me. and then II
won't matter?'
Jack had asked her to marry him
nearly every week for the last I've
years.
II can't. Jack. I don't want to be
married." pleaded Rhoda.
you'd better. You might starve."
mo, l 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-a" gasped Jack. "Where
did you learn all this?"
II don't know. I have always known
It."
II nearly forgot l had tickets for the
theater. Get on your wraps. Mother
Is coming for us In the carriage. Here
she is"
Rhoda laughed heartily oil the even
ing at the fun in the play. Afterward
they went for a bite to eat. And a very
tired Rhoda tumbled into bed that
night. Her trouble was forgotten for
awhile.
But. alas. she dreamed. She dream
ed a spider was spinning q web in the
rungs Of her chair.
She remembered her dream when she
awoke and called to her maid to bring
her a book which was on her desk.
Az she drank her early cup Of tea--a
habit formed in England-she perused
the pages of her dream book and found
what she wanted.
ITO dream a spider spins his web
before you means you will receive a
sum Of money"
Much encouraged, Rhoda was soon
dressed. She always walked before
sitting down for q long day at her
desk.
Today she did a thing unusual in
ner: She took a manuscript with her
and bearded an editor in his den. He
o her story and promised to pass
judgment upon It shortly.
Rhoda thanked him and walked
home quickly. Her friends knew they
must never disturb her in the morn.
Ing. At s O'clock. however. some girls
came for tea. Rhoda always had some
new dainty for them. Today. after
nnishing a new short story. she had
prepared some chopped walnuts and
chopped pimentos aud cream cheese
and mixed them into a paste and
spread 1t on ONE dainty biscuits. The
girls declared it very good.
only two came that afternoon. Bar.
para Van Allen and Dolly Van Brunt.
BY and by Jack Welles and his mother
came; then Bob Kingsley. Bob was a
kindred spirit. He was as supersti.
tious as Rhoda.
Look. Rhoda." he said: II found a
nan with Its head toward me-"
"How lucky! I walked miles down
Broadway. but no such luck came to
me-"
a scream Of laughter came from the
girls.
what is it, Barbara7" querted Rho.