The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1915-08-11
A WINNING PENALTY
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sEg
BY JEAN GREY.
BY JEAN GREY.

Worthlly, l could love you, Starye |
with you joyously," she said, but |
when you let weak pride and pure |
vanity stand in the way"
Il 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 in
drawer and have not looked at it
since. Because, forsooth, he's an ass
off the stage. l 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 words" Da-
Wis tried to say with merry scorn, but
hurt and angry in spite of himself
Elsie went on pitilessly: ut 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 l could understand your sticking
by it. 1t doesn't. You are clean =
your uncleanness is just affectation-
no matter how you pirate 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 impotence 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
wouldn't let myself say it-even to
myself. I"
so 1 fetched a stick to break my
own head Well, 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 he1
palms. He's below you-worlds be
meath you-in every way except one
he does what he can and does it with
a sincerity of belief in himself that
quite redeems his conceit. If you
tried only half SO hard
You forget. I am not bankers
son." Davis cried, now thoroughly
, angry. Don't waste more breath
! my dear. / understand You are
tired of waiting, of hoping, of believ
) ing. Maginn, with his expectations
: his sweetly solemn mind, tempts yol
' sadly. Take him and welcome.
offer you my felcitation, and wisl
you a very good evening"
''As you viii, but take this" Elsi'
answered, Slipping of his ring, ;
: mere thread of gold with a winkin.
4 fire opal on top. Her hand trembled
4 Was it for this she had but half al
( hour earlier sent Maginn away with
No so kind it was irrevocable? Sh
j knew it was wicked, but she had beer
: kind as a penance for hating poo
! Maginn because of his humble pei
: fections. They were bearing him s.
i much farther and higher than Lynn
q Davis better parts were ever Hkel
f to carry him.
s Aren't you truly sybarite i
s love with luxury?" Davis asked
e drawing a pace nearer.
l. She shook her head, her breat
It coming quick. 81 don't mind lacl
t ing things-hardly little Bit" sh
Il said. The hard part is doing will
Z, out, because you must. If 1 wer
| ONLY .i.oI, I II, \ -
be really dowdy now and then"
rs that why you are suddenly S
II severe with me?" Davis asked, hi
q eyes beginning to twinkle. She fun
" up her head, saying bravely with
is crimson flush, MOI"
If Then why. Maginn and his pc
d fections aside?" Davis demanded
e She turned on him, her eyes flasl
II ing. Let Maginn alone!" she sal
ID Mention of him is-insulting. III
ID concern is-you. You only, Do yo
1t think it does not hurt me to kay
r you slothful, Indifferent, to see NE
a. unfit to black your shoes going ahea
IS of you in the race of life? You al
"a not great, but do believe you ha,
so in you the markings of greatness.
le thought love and trust would he
you to show it. Now I see my mi
take. You say you love me?"
1T may be a delusion-but love
fe hug it," Davis answered.
lb Then if you do-if you ca
it. enough to think of me as wife. Ii
IN ten! Put it to yourself thus: Here
a prize worth winning. I'm going
to win it, though the job is mans siz
I'D 1t means hard work and puttiI
1g dragons to rout-dragons of shyne
re and conceit-"
vo "Ah, me! How highly some Peep
s" esteem themselves" Davis broke
ia 'sSav Guardian anpnl what will HI