Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1915-12-30
"And the address ?"
She told him.

SiS iS, VI SoiuS SlSileCulS OilttI Will
seal the bargain. We intend bring
ing the book out in the spring.
She accepted the contracts, folded
them, and slipped them into her muff.
"Does it take that long?" she asked
curiously.
almost, to get the right illustra-
tions and cover and publish. This is
your first experience in this bust
ness?"
"Yes," she admitted.
at is very interesting"
81 should think it might be-" Her
eyes wandered from his bright face
to the office fittings. And presently
she was regarding him again.
"Is our business transacted?" she
asked
"For the present, l think"
She rose.
81 had no idea it was so easy to sell
a book"
"This is an extraordinary book. 1t
held me spellbound from start to fin
ish. l should think the author had
lived"
"Why?" she asked curiously.
"The heroine's wretchedness rings
so true. l think the character draw
ing accounts for that, though, partly.
1t is especially well done. This is
not the authors first work, is it,"
"Yes,' she admitted. "The very
first"
"She has good style and natur-
al instinct for plot-building, then"
"She-" The girl raised her eye
brows.
at must be a woman"
"Why?"
"Only a woman could write that
way. 1t is woman, isn't it? You
must forgive my curiosity. The
book attracted me strongly. There
is such sense of honor in it,"
eyes, it is woman" said she.
81 should like to know her." There
was something wistful in his voice
and eyes. She smiled, and to his
amazement he saw the brooding dis
content vanish utterly.
AS shadows fly before the sun,
altering the aspect of things, her sui
lenness and discomfort fled before her
smile. Dazzling. even, white teeth
flashed between her parted red lips.
Dimples popped into view. Her eyes
lighted.
He was dazed before this miracle,
fascinated.
"You would hate her." said the girl.
Impossible. Why?"
"The best of her is in the book, of
course. She is not nice and you
look as though you would care for
only nice people and nice things!"
He blushed
"I'm afraid I don't quite under
stand" he said.
"You look wholesome. She isn't
She's horrid!"
his k-phone, and to the switch I
her muff and turned toward the door.
He was before her, holding it for her.
"Some day." he said, 81 shall hope
% disprove your judgement. At least
ell her, for me, that I owe her two {
charmed hours, during which she ]
made my heart ache and leap with |
aughter and thrill with dreams. Will {
you say thank you,' for me?" t
eyes," said she. {
"And you'll rush the contracts back
o us signed?" {
"Ye-es, said she.
"Good-by, then" f
"Good-by." S
She put her hand into the one he c
leld out. And then she was gone. S
Young Merrol returned slowly to l
lis desk and sat down. 1t seemed to
lim as though the sun had suddenly
disappeared behind storm clouds.
"She wrote it," he told himself. d
There is the same restless, impulsive, S
llusive fascination about her. But S
low could she know such things. k
low could she?" II
From the top drawer of his desk
lie drew a thick manuscript, and, n
urning back the cover-page, his eyes a
an down the top sheet:
He has just passed my door! 1
till hear his uncertain feet stagger-
ng along the corridor! In a moment P
le will find his own room and then v
here will be silence and / can sleep. h
year ago I lay shaking with fear
nd disgust and loathing at the sound Z"
# those steps. Now no longer care. v
The fires have consumed the part of t
ne that suffered.
1t was mastery beginning.