El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1912-10-08
By P. Beaufoy

L of Mallory famed with rage.
It's disgraceful, seandalous, alto
! gether unheard-ofr' he murmured.
I'll take care they never get another
story of mine"
Mallory had made name for him
self Already. although he was barely
80. his name was starred on the
covers of magazines and the boardings
of railway stations. He was distinctly
! brilliant, with a sort of talent which,
/ though sardonie, never became brutal
| He prided himself on the finales of
! his stories, inclining usually to the
( tragic conclusion rather than to the
conventional happy" ending. His
disgust was therefore complete when
on reading his latest contribution TO
1.-The Magazine he discovered that the
ending of his story, "One of Life's
Failures" had actually been altered
beyond recognition. True the alter
alton had been made skilfully and
artistically; the different finale Wouio
not affect his reputation in the least
degree. But when man mas reac iled
the point of fame that Mallory had
reached. he resents such tamperinS
with his work.
He flew down stairs with the maya
zine in his hand and shouted for
taxi A moment later he was speed
ing towards Fleet street.
I must see Mr.. Hobbs at once, at
Oncer' he cried, when he arrived at
the office.
stared as Mallory crashed into the
Whats the natter" he asked
mildly.
hot
changed the finale Of my tale in the
current issue2"
Mr. Hobbs began to look interested.
Judge for yourselfi' cried Mallory,
as he flung the magazine across the
table. I suppose you read the stuII
before you accepted it"
"Of course. But have been away On
my holidays, and did not see tho
proofs" Jackson attended to them.
He turned to the story and read Tor
Mr.. Mallory" he said, 7 am at a
thorough loss to make head or tail or
this business. However, I will send
for Jackson and hear what he has to
The sub editor arrived a moment
later.
never saw the manuscript" he said,
otherwise this would not have pc-
Cured. 1t is he most mysterious thing
1 ever struck. Who on earth could
have done it. and for what possible
reason?"
That is for you to find out" said i,
Mallory.
Really, Mr. Mallory, we are exceed
ingly sorry" said the editor, dropping
anxiety of the moment; but it has been
anxiety of the moment; but 1t has been
no fault of Mr.. Jackson or of mine.
You may rely upon US to do our best
to clear up the mater"
And the sooner the better" growle1
Mallory. I shall submit nothing else
until 7 know"
So the young author went back to
his chambers in a furious mood, but it
was softened to some extent by a let
ter which was awaiting nina letter
offering him quite abnormal terms Tor
a series of tales for an American jour
nal; and before the day ended he was
beginning to calm down somewhat
Next morning he received a letter
that ran thus:
"1127X, Fleet street, L. c., Aug. %.
Dear Mr.. Mallory:
1--WE have discovered the person who
tempered with your story. 1t was our
typist Miss Gray; and as she has re-
fused to give any explanation, she
had been dismissed with months SAL
airy. Perhaps to you she may be will
ing to furnish some explanation of her
extraordinary behavior, and should you
desire to communicate with her, the
address is 977, Rose Villas, Chaplain.
with sincere apologies for the incl
dent and profound regrets,
Il am, yours faithfully.
Dennis Hobbs"
Five minutes later Mallory was on
his way to Chaplain. The editors let
ter had brought no solution Of the mys-
terry, and the author was consumed
with anxiety to get to the bottom OF
the strange business. What possible
reason could an obscure typist have
had for changing the ending OF his
story? The more he Pondered the ques-
ton, the more mysterious did it seem. /
The taxi drew up at length before a
shabby little house in a narrow street.
He leaped cut, paid the man, and rang !
the bell. A woman of the landlady
type opened the door.
rs Miss Gray at homer" he asked |
quickly.
YES, sir. What name, please?
Here is my card" replied Mallory;
"and tell her that 1 must see her at !
once on most urgent matter"
He waited in the dingy little hall
whilst the woman went upstairs She
returned after a moment and said:
will you come this way, sir?'
Mallory followed her up the narrow
staircase and into a small sitting room
on the first floor. Miss Gray came to-
wards him with her head bowed.
Il think 1 know why you have /
called" she said nervously.
Mallory had expected to rind harsh {
faced, aggressive person. He could (
hardly have believed that this shy look 7
ing girl with the wonderful grey eyes /
and soft mouth could have the temerity /
to tamper with his work The angry /
words which he had prepared to utter /
remained unspoken.
You have come to ask for an ex- /
PLANTATION" she went on. You want to |
know why altered the ending of your ,
story?"
Yes"
She pointed to a chair.
sit down, and-and I'll tell you ev- /
erything. I sha'n't ask you to forgive 1
me, though perhaps, when you know /
my motive, you won't think so badly |
of me as you think now"
He sat down and waited for her to
begin.
''The-the tale came into my hands
because Mr.. Hobbs wanted the last |
page retyped. 1t had got blotted or
something. and that is how I came to (
see it. Well, it wasn't my business to Z
read the story, but there was some