Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1909-05-29

Collins? Have you spoken to Mr..
Granger on the matter Of the storyT"
"Why, mol And that's funny, be-
cause I've heard that he was literary
man. He hasn't called here for two or
three weeks. however"
"He is the editor of the very mag
azlne that sent 1t back to you for the
third time"
"Then-then-when he calls again.
And Miss Nina's eyes flashed, and
she flushed up. and she didn't have to
finish the sentence to make young
Sanger understand that there would
be something doing.
Mr.. Granger had been an acquaint-
ance and a caller for a year or more.
He had made n pleasant impression Mt
least, and II he had not talked shop
during his calls and brought in his
literary connections II was a tribute
to his sense and modesty.
Nothing more was to be done with
the story until he called. but Miss Nina
made n memorandum and kept 1t be-
fore her. 1t read:
"Never read another copy Of the -
Magazine.
"when Mr.. Granger calls have 1t out
with him. II he cannot rise to you in
tellectually 1t Will be better IL he re-
mains away"
In the course OF couple OF weeks
Mr.. Granger dropped In. He arrived
Mt an opportune moment-that is. Miss
Nina was reading her written thoughts
over again for the hundredth time and
realizing the loss to the world by their
not being published.
She had not armed herself with any
deadly weapon. A woman doesn't
have to In such case. This one en-
tered the drawing room with manu-
script In hand. She made frigid bow
and extended a cold hand. 1t was as
II she were greeting a man who held
n second mortgage on the mansion.
OF course Mr. Granger noticed his
reception, but not being conscious Of
any social dereliction he exerted him
self TO thaw out the atmosphere. He
had come to believe he was succeeding
when the manuscript was thrust into
his hands and an icy voice commanded:
"Slr, read that, II you pleased!
Certainly! With the greatest pleas
ure. I'm! Urn! This seems to be
story"
at Is storyv'
"Some young lady friend of yours
making a first effort"
The question was treated with con-
tempt.
"U'm! I'm! Seems to be a combl-
nation Of essay and moral lecture.
Written by some young lady to read
at commencement or before a club.
Two or three beautiful thoughts. l
can't have seen It before. and yet 1t
reads familiar"
at ought to, STRIP
"But-but | really believe / have
read parts Of It somewhere at some
time"
"You have. It was sent to your
magazine for publication"
"Ah, that is 1t. and sent It back.
Of courseY'
Eyes. you sent 1t back"
"You see. Miss Harper. It isn't a
story, nor a sketch. nor on essay. hut
please say to the young lady that she
| Is TO be complimented on her beauti-
full ideals. am sure she must be
lovely and charming girl. Indeed. I
would very much like to know her."
"But. Mr.. Granger, II she is to be
complimented on her ideals why did
you send the story back? Why throt-
tie her aspirations and ambitions at
the very start? As a first effort It
may lack in plot or construction. but
couldn't you have remedied that with
a little trouble and felt the pride Of
bringing out new authoressT
IL think" he answered after
moment. that ! was a bit selfish
about 1t. and I hope you will forgive
me. sent 1t back because preferred
to bring out a wife rather than an
authoressr'
A day or two later young Waterman,
who had heard that Miss Nina was
going TO give Mr.. Granger "fits." called
to see II he had got what was coming
TO him yet On leaving the house he
shook hands vigorously and effusively
and said:
mo. isn't It lovely to be In love
and engaged? I came around to pop
the question myself. but It has been
popped. and so will say no more
except that am sincerely thine"