Morgan County republican. (Versailles, Mo.) 1906-1914, 1911-11-09

nave WTlttcH u DOOk( OlO
not know you had literary aspiIra-
TONS"
Il have always wanted to do some
thing that would stand as proof thai
| was not merely an idle, happy girl.
I began to write stories while I was
still In school. For years | have writ
ten constantly and without the least
encouragement or success. | have
never told my family or my friends.
Editors have been bombarded with
my unfavorable manuscripts. | have
had a long, long time of bitter disap-
pointment and encouragement and
heartache. At last the first success
has come. Behind 1t there Is a tragedy
OF many failures. Perhaps that is
why. now that 1t has come. 1t is very
precious; 1t has cost a great price,"
what sort Of story Is it,"
1T Is the simple little story of the
childhood good times of myself and
some of my friends. wrote OF the
things that as q little girl | loved"
"A juvenile book?" There was dis.
tinct disappointment in his voice. Il
supposed you had written a novel;"
A surprised. startled look came into
her eyes. What difference does 1t
make what sort Of book 1t is?" she
asked. The wonderful thing Is that
| have done something sufficiently
good to win the approval OF a critical
editor"
Literature is an interesting voca-
tion." he said. patronizingly. II am
glad you have taken 1t up. intend
to write a novel when | have time.
| may do 1t next summer during my
vacation"
After he had gone she sat for a long
time before the fire. There was no
Joy in her eyes. and her face was
white and tired.
A clear. trilling whistle called her
from her ~reverie. She went into the
hall and opened the front door.
Come in. Rob-"
Il saw you sitting alone as | came
up the street and ! saluted you. I
didn't expect such good luck as an in
vitation in. Why. JEAN" he exclaimed,
as the light in the library showed the
change in her face, what Is the mat
ter? There Is something wrong"
There is not. Rob. have had a
book accepted"
What? A book2 You have writ
ter a book?"
And an editor has accepted It,"
"Of course he has. Amy editor that
you would honor with a manuscript
would accept 1t. Jean. I'm so glad
| can't tell you how glad. I'll wager
it's the very best book that has evel
been written. But how hard you mus,
have worked. You are such a con
scientious person that you put youl
whole soul into everything you do
and this book must represent lone
hours of work, the careful expression
of your personality and the realization
of a dream"
The Joy, greater than before. had
come back to her eyes. Rob" she
said solemnly, you are the most I'm
derstanding person | have ever seem
The understanding person looked
slightly bewildered. II want to see
II DOOk lmmeulalely. ! can I wal
till 1t is published. Let me see the
manuscript"
1T is only a simple. little tale o.
my own childhood"
Then 1t Is the story OF a mos
adorable little girl who became ar
adorable. thoughtful, ambitious won
an. OF ourse Halstead Is immensely
pleased and proud"
HE is not. He does no realize
what my accepted book means to me
He does not understand. as you do
that a woman has ambitions as rea
as a mans. and that for them she II
willing to work and to suffer as a maj
does. He Is $3.50 interested In him
self and so proud of himself. Rob.
mans attitude toward a woman's dear
est interest may decide her regard TO
him." She laid her hands on hi
shoulders and looked steadily into tn,
eyes in which she saw the reflection
of her own rapture and exaltation
Your attitude, Rob, toward my III
tie dream. You understand the dream
Don't you understand something else