Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1909-09-25
Accepted
With Thanks
The Stories She Wrote and
Her Own Self as Well
By LAURA MARY ROGERS
Copyright. 1909. by Associated Lit
erary Press.

Miss Lila Hibbard opened her
stamp box and looked despairlngly at
its emptiness. Then she turned the
contents of her portfolio upon the af-
CHAN and searched among the loose
leaves and envelopes. Not stamp to
be found,
The search was mere formality,
for she could account for every one Of
the dozen stamps she had borrowed
week ago. With compressed lips
she looked for inspiration around the
room and out In the hall. Mr.. wilkins
was coming down the stairs.
Miss Lila caught her breath. He
was the only lodger to whom she did
not owe stamps. II had been a com
fort TO her to feel self respecting In
regard TO one of the dodgers. and she
had told herself that II was not mere
ly because he had never pu; himself
In the way Of her solicitations. But
now-why cling to such q small rem
nant OF pride.
"Mr. wilkins" she called softly.
A middle aged man with an ecru
mustache presented himself at the
door.
Are you-worse?" he inquired awk-
wardly. "Shall call your sisters?"
"Oh, no; please don't, Mr.. Wilkins"
Miss Lila rejoined fervently.
"Will you do me favor. Mr.. Will
kins?"
"Yes'm, certainly" Mr.. wilkins muir
INJURED. and Miss Lila hurried on:
II should be so much obliged II you
would mail this for me. l can't ask
my sisters, for / don't want them to
know about 1t, and l haven't any
stamps, and think It will take four,
two inside and two out. and haven't
any change now. but won't forget
It."
Mr.. wilkins produced stamp book,
extracted n neat row OF stamps and
solemnly applied them to the bulky
envelope.
And two inside" he questioned.
Yes. please" Miss Lila said gayly
Mr.. Wilkins looked ut her with won
der and alarm in his eyes. and before
she knew 1t Miss Lila had broken her
resolution to be reserved and was In
the middle Of the explanation that the
seven other dodgers already knew. In
the usual order she revealed to him
her secret to write, her spasmodic at
tempts at composition during the busy
years Of public school teaching and
her constant efforts at literary produc-
ton since she had been laid low by a
stricken knee.
The recital had hitherto ended there,
leaving her success to be inferred. but
something In Mr.. wilkins grave at
tehtion led her to add in a voice that
was intended to be Indifferent. but
sounded discouraged:
But I've never had thing accept
ed. Everything comes backr'
"Oh. well, you can't expect to make
1t so right off," Mr.. Wilkins assured
her.
How do stories selly he inquired
do they pay pretty well?"
"Oh. yes. IL you can sell them" Miss
Lila replied wistfully. why. a story
OF that length ought to get $25. but. Of
course, 1t makes difference who
writes It,"
There suddenly seemed to be moth
ing to say, and Mr.. Wilkins left before
Miss Lila could elaborate her thanks
Left alone. she turned her face to
the wall In kind Of spasm of shame.
Now there was not lodger she could
look In the face-and she owed forty
two stamps! Then the usual reaction
came. She reflected that this was no
time for scruples. The simplest cal
culation showed her that her sisters
We're running behind In the household
expenses, and from ordinary observa-
ton she knew that they were starving
themselves.
Just then Miss Louisa brought her
an eggnog. and she fancied Miss Louise
looked at her hungrily.
A week later. when Mr.. wilkins hur-
ried up the stairs one night. he was
greeted by shout from Miss Lila.
Come herew she called joyfully.
Mr.. Wilkins found her propped up
among her pillows, as usual, Dut ner
face was pink with excitement. her
eyes glistened. and the pink ribbons
were In disarray.
Look at thisw she commanded. and
she thrust under his eyes letter. It
was a brief statement that her story.
"A Paltry Ring" had been accepted
with thanks and that she would find
Enclosed check for $780,
Mr.. wilkins sought for words. and
Miss Lila laughed merrily.
II don't wonder you're surprised"
she said. ''but you should have seen us
when that letter came" Then fol-
lowed a detailed account Of the rap
turous day.
''Oh. It has encouraged me so!' Miss
Lila concluded. II am Just full of
plans. I'm going to begin another sto-
~ tomorrow about the French revolu-
ton. always loved that period OF
history"
The next day found Miss LILA writ
fnp favprishlv QXcpnf durinQ the inter.