The Topeka state journal., 1911-09-02
THE EVENING STORY
His Attitude.
(By Annie Hinrichsen.) }

Wayne's attention as soon as he en-
tered the room.
what is it7" he asked. Some
thing very good, is it not?"
You know? How did you find
II don't know anything. Tell me-"
She shook her head. 'Not yet,
Jean" he asked abruptly. sis it
about Halstead?"
mo, it il not
"some time you will tell me that
you intend to marry him and when
that time comes
Hush, Rob-
you love him, don't your"
you have no right to question
you know that ever since you
were little girl I have loved you
beyond anything in my life. We
have been the truest and best of
friends. But for several months Hal
stead has had all your time and
plain. You don't love me. I have
no claim. Well, Wen not talk of
that. You are looking very happy
tonight. Something truly great has
happened to you. What is tt?''
I'm tell you soon, Rob, but not
not just yet
She glanced a little anxiously at
the clock.
Il am going" he announced.
when you are ready to tell me,
added a new charm to the sweetest
face in the world, you will find
deeply interested man."
A few minutes later Halstead came.
How delightful your fire is" he
exclaimed as he entered the room.
He sat down in a large easy chair
before the hearth. 'T have had
busy day." he remarked. 1--WE been
in court since early this morning"
"A successful lawyer has a hard
life. If you were not so brilliant and
so clever you would not have to
spend all your time handling impor-
tant cases."
He settled himself more comfort
ably in his chair and smiled approv-
ingly at her. II am having a meas
ure of success, of course he said, a
little pompously.
"a great deal of success" she
amended.
success means more than anything
else. The power to achieve a definite
aim is the most satisfactory gift the
gods grant"
THE power to achieve means much
to q woman"
Does it?" he said. a little alb
sently.
ambition has it's place in a wom-
ans life.'
Certainly it has. Social position,
wealth. beauty. popularity are desires
of every woman"
Jeans glowing face lost a little of
its joy. Il don't mean those things.
The worlds recognition of ones abil- |
ity to do something really worth |
while is as satisfactory to woman |
as it is to a man."
How do you know?" he ask ed |
She turned from him and looked |
into the blazing fire. Her hands were |
clasped tightly on her knees. Her
breath was coming quickly.
''I know she said softly with the |
quiet of a great happiness in her
voice, Il know, because recognition
has come to me-"
ITO you ?"
She nodded, unable for a moment to
speak. ''I have had a book accepted.
The letter from the publishers came
today. I have told no one else. I
[ wanted you to be the first to know"
you have written a book? I did
not know you had literary aspira-
tion."
81 have always wanted to do some
thing that would stand as proof that
was not merely an idle, happy girl.
began to write stories while I was
still in school. For years I have
written constantly and without the
east encouragement or success. I
lave never told my family or my
friends. Editors have been bonn
,arded with my unavailable manu-
scripts. I have had a long, long time
If bitter disappointment and discour-
lgement and heartache. At last the
irst success has come. Behind 1t
here is a tragedy of many failures.
Perhaps that is why. now that it has
'ome. it is very preciousi it has
cost a great price"
what sort of story is it?'
at is the simple little story Of the 1
childhood good times of myself and
ome of my friends I wrote of the /
hings that as a little grl I loved" /
"A Juvenile book ?'' There was
Iistinct disappointme in his voice. 6
I supposed you had written novel" '
A surprised, startled look came into
Ter eyes. ssWhat difference does il :
make what sort of book it is?" she +
sked. 1.-THE wonderful thing is that
have done something sufficiently
God to win the approval OF a critical B
ditor."
Literature is an interesting voca-
ion." he said, patronizfngly. 'I am
lad you have taken it up I intend
o write a novel when I have time.
may do it next summer during my ! !
acatfon''
After he had gone she sat for
ong time before the fire. There was \
% joy in her eyes, and her face was {
vhite and tired.
A clear. thrilling whistle called her n
rom her reverfe. She went into the J
all and opened the front door, n
''Come in, Rob-
81 saw you sitting alone as came 4
p the street and saluted you. U
idn't expect such good luck as an Il
avitation in. Why. Jean" he ex- q