Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-05-31
! THE EVENING STORY
HOW TWO WRONGS MADE
RIGHT.

oDDAAAADAD
HOW TWO WRONGS MADE a
RIGHT.
BY HARRIET LUMMIS SMITH.
Copyright, 1910. by Associated Liter
airy Press.
The maid who brought the mail to
Vernon's room that morning had her
hands full, in the most literal sense.
There were several Of the long, bulky
envelopes whose appearance brings
detection to the heart of the aspiring
writer. There were one or two OF the
envelopes which keep such detection
from becoming chronic. also bearing
the name OF periodical, but too thin
to contain anything in the shape OF
returned manuscript. It was even
possible that they conveyed checks.
But Vernon brushed them all aside.
and even let the letters from home
lie unnoticed in favor of square en-
velope directed in small. neat hand
to Mr. Vernon Hamilton Field. This
the girl regarded with an amused
smile. and opened first of all.
."Mr. Vernon Hamilton Field:
. Dear Sir.-Your admirable story
'Chums' has been sent to me for illus
tration read SO many colorless and
favorless tales for boys that 1t Is a
relief to come across one bearing in
dications that its author has not for
gotten his own youth. The vigor and
vivacity of .Chums' is positive in
SEPARATION to a busy illustrator. who
too often is forced into mechanical
work by the very insipidity Of the
stun submitted.
"As I am about to begin the illus
trations for the story, should like
to ask your idea as to the age Of the
girls introduced into the picnic cpl
sode. I should be sorry to have my
work disappointing in any way to the
author who has given me such pleas
ure. Very sincerely yours,
Leslie M. Erskine."
The long envelopes and the letter
from home lay in neglected heap
while Vernon perused this communt-
cation for the second time. Her eyes
were dreamy, AND one or two unex-
pected dimples had made their APP
pearance. sits the incest compliment
I ever got!' she cried. ITO think that
I can write boys story in such q
realistic way as to make an expert
enced reader believe that was once
boy myself. Leslie Eskimo. you're
dear girl. could love you for your
blunder."
1t was not till she went to her desk
to answer the query contained in her
complimentary letter that sudden
mischievous idea took possession of
her. She sat down with her fountain
pen poised in air, while she consider
ed. What is the use Of going into ex-
plantations? I'll see If can disguise
my identity as well in my note as
did in my story" She drew down the
corners of her mouth in conformity
to her ideas Of masculine dignity, and
began her reply, '.My dear Miss Es-
kline"
It was clever letter, the youthful
author decided as she read it over
before enclosing it In its envelope
All traces of fer1ininity had been
carefull.- suppressed. She had culti-
waited rather bluff cordiSity, and
had introduced one ! or two slang
phrases with telling effect. She
laughed outright as she sealed the
letter. (. 4
The next day q broad shouldered
young fellow sitting before an easel
in snug studio whose fittings were
far from suggesting artistic poverty.
stared with amazement at an envel-
ope addressed to Miss Leslie M. Es-
kline" His amazement was. however.
tempered with evident chagrin. Miss
Leslie" he repeated contemptuously.
e"Now 1 wonder who gave that fellow
that impression. Well, let's see what
he says"
For altogether different reasons
from those which had moved the
author of the letter to self-congratu-
lation. Mr.. Leslie Eskimo approved It,
"He's the right sort. plain enough, =
was his verdict. THAT letters a
dandy. Maybe" he added with grin.
she wouldn't have taken quite so
much pains If he hadn't supposed he
was writing to a girl. Well. there's
no harm in keeping him in the dark
little"
It was rather surprising how many
reasons these two young people found
for exchanging letters. Mr. Leslie
-LLShlAC 1OSI LIZ OpPOASuhiNy VI SoAVS
ing to Vernon his appreciation OF her
work, and when Vernon came across
some of his illustrations in one of
the current magazines, she could do
no less than write, expressing her
admiration, which was sincere. Il
think your experience must have been
unlike those Of the average woman"
Vernon wrote. There is such vigor
and breadth in your drawings. One
would almost call it viritity."
On one occasion the truth nearly
came out. For Eskimo, reading one
of Vernon's stories in womans
magazine, so far departed from his
customary complimentary attitude as
to find fault with it. "Of course, it's
well written" he explained. You're
SO extraordinarily versatile that even
when you depart from your original
line. you're equal to the occasion.
What object to is the decision the