The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-10-29
The Coveted Contract
~ HAROLD STRONG LATHAM.

Copyright. 1870 by Associated Literary Pres)
Priscilla gasped with establishment when she re-
moved the final from the little package which
the postman had just put into her hands She could
scarcely believe her and yet prolonged scrutiny
drove away the last shadow of doubt. 1t was a
picture Of herself! There her willow plume hat
with the buckle, which Uncle Ned her. across the
front; there her light dress, with sug-
Eestion of the trimming: and most wonderful Of all.
at her throat there the brooch old and In
design. which her grea-aunt had presented to her.
And yet-and yet--how could such things be? She
had friends at least none were adept
the handling OF water colors az the author Of this
piece OF work had proved himself to be- She turned
back way down IN the corner. she found clew In
tiny letters were the initials "A H. s.
Priscilla was much like other girls of her age
To her romance much desired and too-little-
met with experience. And Immediately In those Ink
initials she scented romance.
1t was not until the next day that she told her
mother OF the picture and the evening her father
Mr. Wright was successful business man. He was
snr 70: practical and positive lie had to work
iatinG considerable Now that
he had his material needs taken of and those of
MS family. he was beginning to turn to the cutva-
His daughter was enrolled In select finishing
summer vacation. His wife was OF the promoters
OF fashionable Browning club and was encouraged
might be looked upon out-of- ordinary provid
ed, OF course, it had standing.
WISH toe that there was some fad for Priscilla TO
busy herself with and moreover he had stipulated
ella showed him the little water color OF herself he
was more than interested
who did tt?" he asked abruptly
Priscilla explained the situation to him and called
"A II s." he repeated. 'Humph." And right here
his shrewdness his practically and his posttivsness
There be a further ceu. somewhere sasd
Where IL the wrapper"
Priscilla produced the outside paper ana handed II
TO her father. There seems to be nothing IT,
she remarked
Mr.. Wright took the paper and scrutinized It. In.
SIDE and out. AT last u CLEAN OF satisfaction
into HIS eyes.
See here he said. beckoning to his daughter and
extending corner of the paper which were printed
in fine letter. Up Il B. Club. East 7th street"
Priscilla capped her hands with delight "Oh.
We can write to him and thank him!" she cried.
To be sure. can" her father acQuisced with
unusual alacrits.
Write the note ana let approx. It, my DEAR
The girl ran to her room and returned with this
a H s. p. a B. Club The and Likeness.
are excellent We want to thank yon Come to sec
This short but very eerdiai eptste duly dis-
patched, and developments were awaited with not
be charged on Priscila's side of the book.
"A H. s.. didn't come next day. or the next or
the and Priscilla and her father beginning
to despair OF ever becoming acquainted with that
another little brown package at the Wrights door.
and Priscilla. recognizing the writing knew what TO
expect.
An immense head of brown hair falling
forehead that shaded pair OF eyes which even on
the lips lust ready to speak clean straight. for
Underneath was written in boyish scrawi .+The
author
The idea. absurd" pricilia expostuated
to herself Il didn't want picture. wanted to see
him! know he's nice" she added quite irrelevant
THAT mans good advertiser her father declared
when Priscilla communicated the their little
game OF him Il should like TO know him. He's got =
good jaw. Priscilla"
Prisclla's father a excellent helper OF
nance.
Ana 50 =, was that Mr.; Wright wrote letter to
"A. II. s.. the contents OF which ha did not divuge.
This succeeded in bringing about the desired end. for
the next evening the maid brought card into the
library, where the family assembled
ALBERT Henderson simmons Mr. Wright read
"Ah. Mr. A. H. s. has come Priscilla, shall We So
"oh. no. Priscilla exclaimed. You go
When he returned he brought Mr. simmonas with
him. After the inroduetions were over and they
were comfortably settled the talk turned quite natnr-
ally to Mr.. Simmonds's work
He hasn't had all that he's wanted lately Mr.
mural decorations which planned for that
arcade uptown that I'm Interested m He thinks he'd
thing for him. rather believe that can get the
contract for him"
Mr. Wright looked Mt the acquaintance Of an hour
with kindlness which it was his custom to bes'ow
toh, that would be meet" Priscilla exclaimed.
One evening few weeks later Albert simmonds
there many time. the interval since his first visit
Priscilla met him at the door Did you get Isl"
"The contract? Yes" he replied sleefully. "The
job is mine
Tell me-" she said after a long time in which
many things wer said and much decided upon. "how
did you come to paint that first picture OF me?'
Il Just had to- dear" he replied. "You were In
my mind for I had seen you often-and I could not
forget. Then--then-I counted woman's
riosity to bring about our meeting in some way. he
confessed
"Albert." Priscilla cried a shocked tone -
then laughed contentedy. But don't understa8
even now" she went Il can't help thinking t.
father had something do with It, Now didn't he -
Before Albert could answer Mr.. Wright came into
the
"we.. he said "judsns from your happy faces
believe that you got the CONTRACT
Make It plural, please I'VE Just entered into two
conracts-and OF them Is for life" Albert
swered.
The father looked from one to another. and then,
stretching his folded his daughter him.
Father" Priscilla whispered, did you tell him to
paint that water color" Did your.
But father only looked wise and turned away.
Victory For Holland and LegaIized Primary.