The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1912-11-21
PREPARES TO MOVE
Then Young Author Makes the
Discovery That She
Is Famous.
BY MOLLY McMASTER.

years. she naQ taken II on Ine
strength of having sold poem to
one of the magazines, and her heart
had been filled with hope and the
foundation of success.
A tear trickled through her lashes
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 the horri-
BILE feeling of failure crowded it all
One by one her manuscripts had
been returned to her They were far
too poetic, too much a 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 characterised he was sue
cessful," she had argued in magma
ton with that editor.
But your father was a man, and
mans life touches earth more fire.
quently than does a 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
Il 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 | certainly
will not marry Bobby. because he
calls me pipe dreamer
Even so, Prudence did not decide
to give up her studio without
struggle.
Still" she sighed, there is no use
my having a studio if | am going into
an Office, and if I will be wearing stiff
collars and shirtwaists" Prudence
cast regretful glance at her shabby,
artistic brown frock and at the same
time smoOthed back a tOuselcd head
of brown curis. yes, I will have to
give it up. Studios would net be re-
spectacle if connected with a girl in
shirtwaists and tight skirts | will
look about for a 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 a substan-
tial check came to her from one of
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 a 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 lar
During Sunday Prudence was half
hysterical and half brave. She had
not realized how terrible the parting
with the dream of life was to be I'M
til she felt the evening hours of her
last day drawing in.
She sank into the big coy chain
that on the morrow she would be an
office girl A friend of her fathers
had secured Prudence a position as
first reader on magazine.
And tomorrow evening l will go
home to my horrid little hall room
with tired eyes from having read
many bad manuscripts" Prudence
smiled ruefully and shadows darkent
ed her eyes.
The brass knocker on the door told
her that a guest was without. y
wanted to be alone" she commentsd
as she went to the door.
The man who had knocked crept
straight into the heart of Prudence,
He was genial and happy and frank
looking
Are you Miss Prudence LANCER"
he asked
Yes" said Prudence. and opened
the door still wider will you come
in?"
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 her
mental question.
81 have good news for YOU" James
Henry told her when they were both
seated. He began without preamble.
DO you-but of course you do, re
member sending a play called Stolen
Idols to Emery HIP"
1.-TWO long years ago." Prudence
smiled wistfully. Il had no acknowl
edgment even" she added
During our South African tour"
Henry James went on, as If he ex-