The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1913-03-21


/ see that l have . long road to trave
before can even dare to approach ,
publisher.
EvaS little story was simple an,
commonplace, but was moro thai
creditable for an amateur. Almost IN
consciously she had selected Z heroin,
in IN uncertain city environment Mk.
her own self Unconsciously. too. sh,
had her hero . model Of her ideal. tn
author Of the stories she had Jun
copied. Her story. partly done. hal
ono page not completed. It VA
where her heroine had written . let
ter to the man she loved. It ran:
Il am going away because l low
you. and ! tell you this only because
am sure We shall never meet aeain
But It will be sweet solace for me IN
the dreary future, to know that per
haps this knowledge may bring I
passing thought in your mind Of I girl
far below you in social and intellect
ual position. but able fully to under
stand your noble soul. and knowing
that your genius will some day bring
you great fame. which she would
be too lowly to share. save - Z hin.
drance to your career"
"Densil" wrote Eva At the top Of The
letter. Then she blushed. But Why
not make her hero "Denzil!' It was
an odd name, . musical name. to her
she huttered ~ she realized it-a
dear name.
Just then Eva noticed some writing
on the back OF the manuscripts she
had copied: Must have these By ten
o'clock tomorrow. Don't fail. D. W."
Why" exclaimed Eva, Il did not
zee that direction before. What can
do. The Office will be closed. kr.
Worthington must have the storieA
have bis address. will send them
10 him personally In tho morning."
Eva got the scattered pages togeth-
er In the morning. she hired . neigh
boris boy to carry the stories to their
author. That afternoon she cat down
to rest. Her mother Was asleep. Sud.
denly there was Z knock at the door.
Eva answered the summons. It was
Mr.. Worthington. Eva's face bright,
pned. Then 1t became puzzled. Ther@
was something in the fervent way in
which the author shook hands with
her. an excited challenging eye glance
that puzzled her.
Il hope you found the stories IN
right. Mr.. Worthington" said Eva, as
hey were seated.
"Oh, yes-that isl did not look
over them." and her visitor STAN
mered and seemed confused. Surely,
Miss Dorrance. you are not going to
cave the city,"
Leave the city," repeated Eva, b.
Il had not thought Of It."
"Then-then-" W'orthington Wa
acting strangely-"then the note I 70
,etved wae-was not" and ho
stopped dead short, and drew from his
'ocket-the unfinished page Of poor
svas story. the letter-the letter
written by the fanciful heroine to the
anciful hero. to the fanciful "Densil!"
"Oh. Mr.. Worthington!"
In fash Eva understood It all
Ter precious secret amateur page had
,ot mixed In with the stories. She
lushed crimson.
Il see 1t all-what . stupid pre-.
umptuous dolt I have been!" spoke
Vorthington, arising. please forgive
ne. | thought. hoped"
Eva. half crying. explained. Worth
ngton gravely but with interest in
listed on seeing the unfinished story.
Il am glad l came. foolish % I must
ppear to you," he said. when he had
,oked over the manuscript. Miss
torrance, you need not hesitate to 70
n a. you have begun. You arc q |
ing way ahead Of the first story Of. |
'rt. l shall be pleased to place It for |
on. when It ia completed" Then bic |
ice fell again. and he added: And
would have made me happier still.
what had 90 fondly wished, %
July hoped"
1T was . mistake, sending that
beet" faltered Eva, butch. do not
discontinue me. but-cannot you nm.
erstand!"
THAT II might be true-that the
ream Of perfect happiness that
rought me here might be truef Oh.
iss Dorrance-Eva-can you not
% how much I love you!"
Her swimming eyes. her blushing
CO. her outstretched trembling
lnds, answered John Worthington.
Then" he said proudly. enfolding
y with . protecting arm, 1T 10 to b
We, hope. work-together!"
copyright. 1918. BY ". q. Chapman, ,