The Democratic advocate., 1909-09-17

its emptiness. Then she turned the
contents of her portfolio upon the af-
ghan and searched among the loose
leaves and envelopes Not a stamp to
be found!
Tile search was mere formallty,
for she could account for every one of
the dozen stamps she had borrowed
a 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 1t had been com
fort to her to feel self respecting In
regard to one of the dodgers, and she
had told herself that It was not mere
ly because he had never put himself
in the way Of her solicitations. But
now--why cling to such a small rem
nant OF pride!
"Nr Wilkins" she called softly.
A middle aged man with an. ecru
mustache presented himself at the
door.
Are worseT he inquired awk-
wardly. "shall call your sistersY"
"oh, no; please don't, Mr.. Wilkins"
Miss Lila rejoined fervently.
"Will you do me favor. Mr.. VIII
kins7'
"Yes'm, certainly" Mr.. wilkins mur.
INJURED, and Miss Lila hurried on:
Il should be so much obliged II you
would mail this for me. can't ask
my sisters, for don't want them to
know about 1t, and ! haven't any
stamps, and think II VIII take four,
two inside and two out, and l haven't
nny change now. but ! won't forget
H."
MIR. wilkins produced n stamp book,
extracted a neat row OF stamps and
solemnly applied them to the bulky
envelope.
And two insidef be questioned.
Yes, please" Miss Lila said gayly.
Mr. wilkins looked at her with won.
der and alarm In his eyes, and before
she knew II 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 20 him
her secret 70 write, her spasmodic nj.
tempts at composition during the busy
years Of public school teaching and
her constant efforts at literary produc.
tion since she had been laid low by
stricken knee.
The recital had hitherto ended there.
leaving her success to be inferred. but
something in Mr.. wilkins grave at.
tention led her TO add in n Rolce that
was intended 10 be Indifferent. but
sounded discouraged:
But I've never had a thing accept.
ed. Everything comes backP'
oh, well, you can't expect to make
II go right or" Mr. wilkins assured
her.
How do stories sell? he inquired.
DO they pay pretty wellT
"oh, yes. II you can sell them" Miss
Lila replied wlstfully. why, a story
OF that length ought 10 get s25, but OF
course, II 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 a 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.
culatlon showed her that her sisters
were running behind In the household
expenses, and from ordinary obserya-
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 heref she called joyfully.
Mr. wilkins found her propped up
among her pillows, as usual, but her
face was pink with excitement, her
eyes gllstened. and the pink ribbons
were ia disarray
Look at this!" she commanded, and
she thrust under bis eyes letter II
was n brief statement that her story.
"a Paltry Ring" had been accepted
with thanks and that she would flnd
ineIosed d check for $50.
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 detailed account OF the rap
turous day.
"Oh, 1t has encouraged me sov' Miss
Lila concluded. II am just full Of
plans. I'm going to begin another sto-
ry tomorrow about the French Feyolu.
tion. | always loved that period Of
history"
The next day found Miss Lila writ
ing feYershly except during the inter.
walls when she summoned lodgers and
returned their stamps. A few days
later she waylaid Mr.. wilkins again
ana intrusted TO him the mailing Of
For Love Of Francois proudly fur
nishing the stamps herself.
Il ask you because think you are
good mascot" she said girlishly. "Tais
is quite little longer than the othei
one. and can't help feeling hopeful
"It's all In getting start" Mr.. Will
kins said, and Miss Lila nodded,
The second acceptance was almost
matter of course 1t came ten days
later. accompanied by check for S35,
and Miss Lila showed gain in poise.
1t does not take long to become accus-
toned TO success.
sPm getting only accepted with