The Little River news., 1915-12-29
A WINNING PENALTY
By JEAN GREY.

lhaa4 dj
 Elsie turned upon him, her dropped hands clenching hard. If you starved for an ideal, disdaining to work un- worthily, l could love you, starve with you joyously,' she said, but when you let weak pride and pure vanity stand in the way"
 T don't understand Davis inter. rupted, looking uncomfortable.
 You do understand" Elsie retorted. You think it beneath your dignity to listen to reason Graham wanted you to rewrite an act You put the play ln a drawer and have not looked at it since. Because. forsooth, he's an ass off the stage. 1 know it everybody does. But he has the instinct that tells him what will get over You lack it. Your way may be ever so much finer
 Thanks for them kind worlds Da- wis tried to say with merry scorn, but hurt and angry in spite of himself.
 Elsie went on pitilessly: Tt was so with your book-first half is ador- able-fresh and witty and clean. Ev- erybody says so-but you will lug in dirt all through the last half Need less dirt! Yes, you shall hear the truth. If your soul wore a dirty gar ment I could understand your sticking by it. It doesn't. You are clean - your uHuicanUesS IS Just affectation- no matter how you prate about strength"
 This grows monotonous," Davis broke in, like the Mona Lisa smile. I'd rather be sworn at than have you so perfectly reasonable. Maybe ought to let impatience do her per feet work. Still it occurs to me you are perhaps more acutely aware of my shortcomings from viewing them through the lens of another mans perfections."
 Only partly right" Elsie answered. I've felt this coming all along-but until you brought in Maginn I wouldn't let myself say it-even to myself I-''
 'So I fetched a stick to break my own head. We'll, it shall be bless you, my children!" Davis interrupted superbly. "Maginn, the little busy bee, improves the shining hour. Nat urally he hovers over all sweets"
 "Maginn has just this to do with it," she cried, her nails dug into her palms. Hes below you-worlds be- meath ycu--in every way except one he does what he can and does it with sincerity of belief in himself that quite redeems his conceit If you tried only half so hard"
 You forget. I am not a bankers son. Davis cried, now thoroughly angry. Don't waste more breath, my dear. I understand You are tired of waiting, of hoping, of believ- ing. Maginn, with his expectations, his sweetly solemn mind, tempts you sadly. Take him and welcome. I offer you my felicitation, and wish you a very good evening""
 "As you will, but take this,' Elsie answered, slipping off his ring, mere thread of gold with winking fire opal on top. Her hand trembled Was it for this she had but half an hour earlier sent Maginn away with a No so kind it was irrevocable? She knew it was wicked, but she had been kind as penance for hating poor Maginn because of his humble per factions. They were bearing him so much farther and higher than Lynn Davis better parts were ever likely to carYy him.
 Aren't you truly sybarite in love with luxury?" Davis asked, drawing pace nearer
 She shook her head, her breath coming quick T don't mind lack ing things-hardly a little bit," she said. ''The hard part is doing with out, because you must If I were only rich enough l should let myself be really dowdy now and them
 "Is that why you are suddenly so severe with me?" Davis asked, his eyes beginning to twinkle. She flung up her head, saying bravely with crimson flush, "No,"
 Then why, Maginn and his per. factions aside?" Davis demanded.
 She turned on him, her eyes fash ing. Let Maginn alone!" she sail. Mention of him is-insulttng. NJ con4ern is--you. You only! Do 4yea lolAk k loaa SAA Asssn~>> A> "A..>