The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1913-08-25

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long as he could. 3aThe girl has no
mother to warn her. and l think It's
up to US to give: her a hint not 70
see SO much OF him. Besides, he's
neglecting his work"
You're right" l said. "Tll have
q talk with her about 1t.
mo, think st VIII be better for
me to DO it, he said = decidedly.
I'm the Oldest and I'll be more
brotherly, you know
We finally compromised by max
ing ourselves a committee OF two.
and the next time Adoniram was OF
duty We stated our views to her.
The Pretticst was surprised, she was
grieved, she was hurt by our sus-
picions. She threatened to leave II
we cidn't like the way she acted.
That scared us so that we smooth
ed It over as well as we could, ana
by the time that was over and she
had turned her smile on again, we
were In no condition to give a l.
vice. In a week McComus and |
were racing so hard for her favor
that poor Adoniram had 10 interfere
an: protest. For some time we
watched each other ane made re-
marks, but the Prettiest was as cool
as glass and played no favorltes.
But pretty soon We had another
complaint. She was going into
town SO often that We missed her
something fierce. We'd got In the
habit OF working where We could
look over the top Of the table to
see her-for the inspiration. you
know-and 1t was no fun at all
watching an enupty roll top and a
vacant chair. To be sure, she did
sell our stuff. but We couldn't un-
derstand why she took SO much time
over 1t. Mac suggested that she
send the manuscript of by mail.
Then | ought to resign" she
said. "A PrettIest Girl stands no
better show by mail thar anyone
else, and II I'm nothing more than
mere ornament to this office,
why"
We're perfectly willing to pay
you for the inspiration you bring
u.s. said Adoniram.
"Oh. inspiration wasn't In the
contract" the Prettiest answered.
Il have to go to New York to keep
from being stared to death. Be-
sides have to do some shopping II
| want to dress the part"
We were then In the midst OF a
$4,000 word novelette,, our most
ambitious attempt. 1t was as pref
ty piece of literary doyetailing as
you ever saw. But We did need the
Prettiest badly. for sine was certainly
keen on feminine psychology, and
everything about woman was passed
up to her from how to cook oatmeal
to fashionable weddings. AS a
woman she did excel. She was all
the women you ever met, rolled into
one. We put her ineo every story
We ever wrote. Che was like q
model In a studio
Adoniram used to call out, "Oh,
Clara, please come in here a min
ute-l want 10 describe how girls
hand looks as 1t rests on a mans
shoulder" And before he had fin
ished Git always looked suspicious
fy long tme). McComus would butt
in. to say:
Say, Clara, suppose / was a man
you'd never seen but twice, and as
left you at your door ] tried to
kiss you. Just show me how you l
act, will you? This Is the way he
is supposed to do IT."
OF course l needed her, too, and
whenever ! had 4 good fast love
scene to dc insisted upon her help.
Besides, | had to probe her soul FOR
the ineffable as regards the dialect
current In typewriting circles.
We had long ago recognized the
folly of interfering with each other,
for we always had good. legitimate
excuses on hand, and finally we set
tied into sort OF armed neutral
ity, and 1t was tactily agreed that
we were three rivals and the best
man was to win. Not that the Pref
ties, was consulted In this, however;
1t was decided without actually say
ing so, at an indignation meeting we
held to protest at her going up
to town three times In one week.
Meanwhile the Public Magazine
"as a steady buyer OF the works Of
E. Mari.
| From the internecine contest in
the rooms of the S. s. S. the rivalry