Smyrna times., 1909-05-26

name right! Was it Wilkie or Tom
collins? Have you spoken to Mr..
Granger ON the matter of the story?'
why. no! 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
azine that sent it back to you for the
third time''
'Then-then-w 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 caller for a year or more.
He had made pleasant impression at
least, and if he had not talked shop
during his calls and brought in his
literary connections it was a tribute
to his sense and modesty.
Nothing more was to be done with
the story until he called. but Miss Nina
made a memorandum and kept it be-
fore her 1t read:
Never read another copy of the -
Magazine.
"When Mr.. Granger calls have it out
with him. If he cannot rise to you in
tellectually it viii be better if he re-
mains away"
In the course of a couple of weeks
Mr.. Granger dropped in. He arrived
at 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 dherself with any
deadly weapon a woman doesn't
have to in such a 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
if she were greeting man who held
a 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 cCme to believe he was succeeding
when the manuscript was thrust into
his hands and an icy voice commanded:
"Sir. read that, if you pleaseT'
Certainly! With the greatest pleas
ure. U'm! U'm! This seems to be a
story"
:'It is a storyr'
"Some young lady friend of yours
| making n first effOrtY
The question was treated with con-
tempt
"U'm! U'm! Seems to be a combi-
nation of essay and moral lecture.
Written by some young lady to read
at commencement or before a club.
Two or three beautiful thoughts.
can't have seen it before. and yet it
reads familiar"
''It ought to, sirr'
"But-but | really believe l have
read parts of it somewhere at some
time
''You have. 1t was sent to your
magazine for publication"
'Ah, that is it. and I sent it back.
Of course?''
eyes. you sent it back"
"YOu see. Miss Harper. it isn't a
story. nor sketch. nor an essay. but
please say to the young lady that she
is to be complimented on her beauti-
full ideals. | am sure she must be a
lovely and charming girl. Indeed, I
would very much like to know her."
''But, Mr.. Granger. If she is to be
complimented on her ideals why did
you send the story back? Why throt-
tie her aspirations and ambitions al
the very start? AS a first effort II
may lack in plot or construction, but
couldn't you have remedied that with
little trouble and felt the pride OF
bringing out new authoress?"
IL think" he answered after q
moment. "that was a bit selfst
about it. and | hope you will forgive
me. l sent it back because preferred
to bring out a wife rather than ar
authOress!'
A day or two later young Waterman
who had heard that Miss Nina was
going to give Mr.. Granger fits" called
to see if he had got what was coming
to him yet On leaving the house b,
shook hands vigorously and effusively
and said:
} ''No. isn't It lovely to be in low
and engaged? l came around to pol
the question myself. but it has beer
popped. and so will say no NOR,
except that l am sincerely thine"