The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1912-12-12
Then Young Author Makes the
Discovery That She
Is Famous.
BY MOLLY MeMAsTER.

her typewriter Spasmodic breaths
began to tear at the girls slight
frame. and her head went forward
on her arms and Prudence burst into
on uncomfortable passion OF weep.
ing Farewell to her hopes, farewell
to the dear. delightful studio were
embodied In her grief. and the horri-
bic feeling OF failure crowded II all.
One by one her manuscripts had
been returned 10 her They were far
too poetic too much n part OF the
dream world for the average reader
to appreciate
Your characters are ethereal not
human one editor had written Put
them under the sprinkling can Of
human emotions and let them get
epattered with mud You viii write a
story then"
But ! do not see the mud Prl-
dence had bemoaned within herself.
nor did my father write about mud
spattered characterized he WAS snc.
cessful" she had argued in imagins
tion with that editor
but your father was a man. and q
mans life touches earth more IRE
quen,ly than does r womRn's Your
poet fathers pen was human
So Prudence had struggled on With
her ethereal heroes and heroines
The meager amount left her BY her
successful but over generous father
had dWindled down Prudence's slim
IL
fed to an ardent need Of money
II dare not attempt TO keep nv
studio for another year" she told
herself. the editors may be Just as
cruel as they have been" She smiled
through her tears. And / certainly
VIII not marry Bobby because he
calls me a pipe dreamer
Even so, Prudence did not decide
10 give up her studio without a.
struggle
still" she sighed, there Is no use
my having a studio II am going into
an office. and II viii be wearing stir
collars aud shirtwaists Prudence
cast regretful glance at her shabby
artistic brown frock and at the same
time smoothed back a touseled head
OF brown Curls Yes. will have 10
give il up. Studios would not be r.
spectable II connected with n girl IN
shlrteaists and tight skirts wIll
look about for hall room
md With the bravery that had
kept her courage up through untold
misery Prudence made arrangement
10 move the following Monday
Had Prudence known the meaning
~ the Word irony she would have
considered the fact that substan
tial check came 10 her FROM one OF
her stories on the saurdag before
her departure az a biz Of irony
Put. because to Prudence. irony
hypocrisy and Islander held no part IN
the biz scheme OF existence phe only
e, ioierd Ia her good fortune and
forthwith spent a portion OF the
money on flowers
I want my studio TO be beautiful
on The last day" She ehoked back
her tears while she arranged a great
cluster OF pink roses in her favorite
rose Jar
During Sunday Prudence WAS hAli
historical and half brave She had
not realized how terrible the parting
with The dream OF life was to be an
"A she felt the evening hours Of her
last day drawing In
She sank into the big COY chair
beside the red lamp and tried to feel
a.. he ha ~
office girl A friend Of her fathers
lad secured Prudence a position az
first reader on a magazine
And tomorrow evening viii 70
houe TO my horrid little hall room
With tired eyes from having read
many bad manuscripts" Prudence
swlIad rueruls and shadows darken
ed her eyes.
Tho brass knocker on the door told
brr hat q guest was without Il
wanted To- be- alone she commented
US she Wsut 10 the door
rho man who had knocked erept
straight Into the heart OF Prudence.
We vas genial and happy and frank
looking
Are YOU 8iss Prudence LANCE
he asked
Yes said Prudenee. and opened
,ae door atll wider VIII you come
In
Thank you. James Henry said
and vent within
Prudence closed the door. and
somehow the atmosphere was sudden
~ charged ~ith electricity She found
her voice almost refusing to echo her
mental question
4 have good news for YOU" James
Henry told her when they we're both
seated he began without preamble
"po you but OF course you do. re
member sending a play called Stolen
Idols TO Emery Hlu7"
Two long years ago Prudence
smiled wlstfully Il had no acknowl
rdKment even she added
During our South African tour"
HeBrg James went on. az II he ex
peetsd Prudence to know that Emery
ram had taken hls entire company TO
South Africa I discovered your play
among Mr aus mail am MI