Cut Bank pioneer press. [volume] (Cut Bank, Mont.) 1909-current, 1911-06-16

cept pretty Mamie Montclair, a girl
who won secrets from confidential
admirers only to give them freely to
the world.
Gaylord - the serious, angular,
specialized William-had long trav-
eled conspicuously in the train
OF NAMES admirers, and although
she deigned him barely more than a
curt nod and pleasant salutation on
any occasion, there were those who
averred that she cared more for him
than for all the others.
The Montciair damsel was a thorn
in the sides of the envious feminine
contingent of the town. When Mamie,
a gawky girl in pigtails, had been
thrust upon a train and sent to Mrs.
Gentry's finishing school at Savan-
nah there was no one to prophesy the
mighty change that was to take place
in her during her two seasons with
the famous southern beauty maker.
Mrs. Gentry deplored Nantes di-
minutiveness, but she marveled much
over the maids complexion, and
~astutely saw great possibilities in her
dark but clumsy braids.
There had been no bevies of men
admirers in those days. Willie Gay
lord had peered mistily at the de-
parting n through thick and ugly
glasses-and he had been all! His
hand had gripped hers in a tight
clasp, and after several attempts he
had convulsively spoken a formal
goodby, and hurried away. Mamie
was young, but she had understood.
Now 1t was different. Willie was only
an humble one in the group of flut-
tering male moths around the flame
of NAMES personality. At least
this seemed to be the existing condi-
ton to the denser brains of the men
who watched. With the women it was
different. They could see the trend
of NAMES thought.
Much of the Montclair
the family Golfers were kept replen-
ished from the profits of a factory
manufacturing popular hand soap
was spent upon Mamie She was given
trips abroad, seasons in the metropo-
lis; yachts and automobiles were at
her disposal, and, in fact, anything
for which she wished was laid at her
little feet. She ran the gamut of in
nocent pleasures. She sounded the
depths of every mans e~ffection-that
is, every man except the slim, narrow
chested William. Serenely he watched
her trimphs, but his lips. remained
mute.
In these days William had begun to
destroy much good white paper, and
with two fingers he was la%boriously,
painfully, learning the intricacies of
the typewriter.
His attempts at fiction were crude,
his unskilled pencil generally build
ing a stick for a hero and a trump
for a heroine. His stuff was unreal,
lifeless. His effusions fastened
promptly back when submitted to the
magazines.
1t was we'll that the Gaylord for
tune was large-ample enough to
allow the attenuated youth to favor
his prottless fad. There was no
money in the production of fiction
for William.
Just before Mamie had taken leave
of Toddytown on another sudden
schemed, mother-chaperoned trip
across the seas she had given the
youth a whole afternoon.
William had not wholly improved
his opportunities. He had not spoken
a word Of love.
He had, however, broken into the
crypt of his heart to parade his ambi-
tious secret to her.
Mamie Montclair had listened Sc
renely to the budding genius.
Have you sold IN of your stories"
she asked, deftly arranging a dark
curl.
Not yet" acknowledged William
~bravely; but l have received two let
tiers from editors-outside of the reg
ular run of refusal slips, you know
asking me to submit more of my
work"
Keep it up encouraged the girl.
Il am sure you can win, Tiff only
you will believe in yourself. You
haven't enough self-confidence." She
blushed at some subtle thought not
plain to the admiring Gaylord, who
was now watching her with admiring
eyes.
81 believe l can do much-if you
want me to-" he said simply, and this
was as near sentiment as he ap'
preached during the afternoon, al
though the forelock of opportunity
dangled temptingly time and again
before his fingers.
After Mamie had been gone for
some time, there came back to Gay
lord a letter bearing a foreign stamp.
Willie recognized the handwriting.
From her" he murmured, and as
there was no one there to see, he
pressed his lips TO the envelope.