The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1912-12-02
PREPARES TO MOVE.
Then Young Author Makes the
Discovery That She
Is Famous.
By MOLLY MeMASTeR.


had been filled with hope and the
foundation Of success.
A tear trickled through her lashee
and splashed down onto the keys OF
her typewriter. Spasmodic breaths
began to tear at the girls slight
frame. and her head went forward
on her arms. and Prudence burst into
an uncomfortable passion Of weep
ing. Farewell to her hopes. farewell
to the dear, delightful studio were
embodied in her grief; and tho horrt-
Bile feeling Of failure crowded It IN.
One by one her manuscripts had
been returned to her. They were far
too poetic too much q 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
spattered with mud. You will write .
story then"
But | do not see the mud" Pru.
dence had bemoaned within herself,
nor did my father write about mud
spattered characters-yet he was sue
cessful," she had argued in imagina'
ton with that editor.
"But your father was a man, and a
mans life touches earth more fire.
quently than does woman'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
pocketbook and shabby clothes testi-
fed to an ardent need of money.
II dare not attempt to keep my
studio for another year." she told
herself. "the editors may be Just as
cruel as they have been" She smiled
through her tears. And I certainly
will not marry Bobby. because he
calls me pipe dreamer.
Even so, Prudence did not decide
to give up her studio without q
struggle.
STILL she sighed. there is no use
my having a studio II I am going into
an Office. and II | will be wearing stifl
collars and 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, I will have ia
give II up. Studios would not be re-
spectacle II connected with q girl in
shirtwaists and tight skirts. l will
look about for hall ROOM"
And with the bravery that had
kept her courage up through untold
misery Prudence made arrangements
to move the following Monday.
Had Prudence known the meaning
Of the word irony she would have
considered the fact that q substan
tial check came to her from one oil
her stories on the Saturday before
her departure as a bit of irony.
But, because to Prudence, irony
hypocrisy and SANDER held no part In
the big scheme of existence she only
rejoiced in her good fortune and
forthwith spent portion Of the
money on flowers.
Il want my studio to be beautiful
on the last day" She choked back
her tears while she arranged a great
cluster Of pink roses in her favorite
rose jar.
During Sunday Prudence was hall
hysterical and half brave She had
not realized how terrible the parting
with the dream Of life was to be un
til she felt the evening hours Of her
last day drawing in.
She sank into the big cozy chat,
beside the red lamp and tried to feel
that on the morrow she would be On
ONCE girl. A friend Of her fathers
had secured Prudence a position az
hrst reader on a magazine.
And tomorrow evening | will "a
home to my horrid little hall room
with tired eyes from having read
many bad manuscripts" Prudence
smiled ruefully and shadows darken
ed her eyes.
The brass knocker on the door told
her that guest was without 81
wanted to be alone" she commented
as she went to the door.
The man who had knocked crep,
straight into the heart of Prudence
He was genial and happy and frank
looking.
Are you Miss Prudence Lange -
he asked.
YES" said Prudence, and opened
the door still wider. will YOU come
I'M"
Thank you" James Henry said
and went within.
Prudence closed the door. and
somehow the atmosphere was sudden.
ly charged with electricity. She found
her voice almost refusing to echo he,
mental question.
i have good news for you" James
Henry told her when they were hoth
seated. He began without preamble
DO you-but Of course you do 10.
member sending a play called Stolen
Idols to Emery Hill?"