The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1913-12-02
HER SEVENTH ANSWER
BY FRANK n. MELOON.

her bidding. 1t had originally been
an attic.
Tapestry hangings now hid the face
or timbers rough-hewn in the days
wnen Washington was young and
Fourth OF Julys like any other day,
Tor the house itself was Of colonial
antiquity, and there were wide divans
on which one was allowed to sit
among dozens of cushions done in
colors to the rainbow unknown. There
was a writing desk OF odd design in
one corner, and desk from the
depths Of which a much-used type
writer was apt to half emerge, like a
Jack-in-the-box, II one walked about
with heavy step. There was the US
ual array OF brass articles used for
ornamentation.
Now" she went on, very much
OF what I've been able to do has been
owing to your kindness. OF course
thank you, Robert"
Il shall receive my reward some
day" l reminded her.
so the Good Book says"
oh, l am speaking Of temporal
things"
Your mind should be above them"
che admonished.
You are as near an approach to
divinity as l care for at present" 1
insisted.
You should be ashamed to say 30.
What Is any one Of us after all2
What are our little loves, our half
formed fancies but things Of a day
shadows that cross the face OF the
great sun of fame?"
But my love is not a little love,
neither is 1t the thing Of Q day."
contradicted, hotly.
Edith blushed.
you think
II know"
Very WELL" this with resignation.
On the table lay a sheet Of Edith's
work, done In a masculine chiro-
Sraphy popular of late years.
What is this q map off''I asked,
tnnocently.
TITS not map. It's the start of a
story"
Where's the rest Of TT"
"oh, haven't thought 1t all out
yet" with a sigh.
DO you know what the title is to
BET"
81 haven't decided on one"
VIII you let me suggest title for
TT"
But you don't know what the story
Is about"
"Is there any connection" 1 asked.
meekly, between a story and its
title?"
= Certainly" shifted Edith. indig-
nantly.
Then there's missing link to
some" l declared.
Those are by inferior authors"
ITO change the subject, have you
sold any stories of later" asked.
No, Robert, you are more partial
70 me than the editors are"
"Confound them; I've half q mind
TO call on two or three OF them and
let 'em know what l think of their
Judgment" 1 exclaimed, viciously.
IF / can't win by merit, / don't
want to win," she declared stoutly.
Edith" l asked, tenderly, why
couldn't you write just the same after
We were married?"
"Of all the impudence! I've not
said we were going to be yet, have II
And, besides. marriage is said to be
an impediment to literary career"
Aren't so-aDd-so Iharried?" asked,
naming over a half dozen OF the best
known feminine authors Of the day.
didn't know whether they were or
not, but spun them of at random.
II suppose So" she admitted, doubt
fully.
l pursued my unscrupulously gained
advantage.
For the seventh time, Edith"
warned, "I am going to ask you to
marry me-"
And for the seventh time" abe
began, mockingly.
- Now, Edith" / interposed. IT am
Eonly human and l can't go on this
way forever. / have here"-and
showed II to her-'a ticket to Havana.
Shall l buy another, or go alone to-
morrow"
Edith looked me squarely in the
face. Her own was rather white. She
hesitated.
THE seventh time." / said quietly,
taking up my hat. THAT was the
title 1 was going to suggest for your
story"
There was a long silence. Edith's
faco was half averted, but what
could see led me to hope.
You are goingf" she asked in q
voice intended to be quite steady, bot
still looking away from me.
eff you tell me to-" replied.
Another silence.