The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1913-04-01

him. He gave little start. lifted
the letter with shaking fingers and
read:
"My Dear Mr.. Berringer:
You have handled this subject In
mastery manner-nothing short Of
it. We predict big success fer your
book and intend to spend small for
tune in advertising it. However. we
are somewhat puzzled bit disap-
pointed over the ending. It seems hazy,
incomplete. We are quite certain that
you can readily remedy this defect
and will willingly do SO under persua-
sion of the assured sale we foretell
for your work. We accordingly re-
turn the Ms. tor your correction. In
the event that you do not wish to be
guided by our counsel in the above
matter. We will consider the matter
closed. Otherwise. kindly communi.
cate with US at your earliest conve-
nience.
"HARDWICK BROTHERS.
Publishers.
"(per G. M.-Ed.)"
Berringer read the letter three
times, laic it down-picked it up and
read 1t again. What a fool he had
been to throw the manuscript aside
without even opening it. He recall d
wildly the day it came back. his bit
ter disappointment, the blank future
that loo,led b. ore him. the thought
Of her. Twenty years of hopelessness
and gloom and sometimes despair!
And now it was too late. Was it?
lie sat up suddenly III his chair. His
heart tErobbed heavily with excite
ment. The publishing house was an
old and reliable one. The same ed
tOr was in the chair. Without even
leaving his seat he drew up pen and
ink and paper and dashed down a
hasty line. enclosed it with the bulk
of manuscript, sealed and addressed it
to Harwick Brothers, Publishers, New
York.
1t was weary month of waiting
and hoping and fearing that followed;
period Of alternate ecstasy and de-
preston. The long looked for letter
came at last. Berringer opened 1t
dazedly, dreadng to look inside. But
he pulled himself together sharply and
unfolded the cracking, typewriter
sheet The editor remembered the
story distinctly, he was returning il
Instructions as TO the exact line of
corrections he wished made, and was
more than ever eager to have the priv
lege Of putting cut such "A powerful
work OF fiction.
Tho paper dipped from Berringer's
ncrveless !,ngeI For little while he
felt blinded Dy the great good news
that had come to him Then grad
ually the chaos Of his mind cleared
and his thoughts began to disentangle
themselves for concerted action.
Alice. The dominant thought was of
her for her. A thousand miles lay
between ,hem-and If that we're all
But suppose She had ceased to care,
to believe nj him 10 wait, as she had
promised At least he could write and
tell her Of all his ;liamph--a in
week he would know the worst. or
the best
Her answer came almost before he
had expected l. He had no difficulty
in recognizing The delicate round
characters on the back of the en-.
velope. and his pulses gave an eager
bound as he elimpsed the dainty gold
monogram Oh HE Zap. She was still
Alice Rutlrdsc.
Her aentlWords Iluttpred to his
heart like doves Of peace.
Dear.
"Throush al the years that have
conc and have never ceased
10 hop I'D hega, The day that
have heea tU has come, and
am wai.ii aoe ior YOU.
"l&at e1 &C your vie.
tory, .a1a Glat YOU
viii cc ,tcss t4a c3.sm O.
fai,h.@a EHsa
A. always.
ALICE"
Ccopyriaa ia ely III, " aare News
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