Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1916-11-16
THE HOUSE ON THE HILL
BY EARL sILvERS.

SAID 10 her WOrSinplnB HuSDhnd, you
could make enough money at your
business to buy that home in a few
months"
but perhaps I'll sell story or
two" Mr. Jack answered and then
We can buy II anyway"
You'll never sell story" Her
speech was brutally frank. at isn't
In you"
Mrs. Jacks tone betrayed long suf-
ferng. She had been married for six
months, and during that time Mr.. Jack
had received IL rejection slips. He
was obsessed with the idea that he
could write. but neither his wife nor
his friends gave him any encourage
ment
He drew his reluctant wife away
from her dreamy contemplation of the
nuch-deslred white cottage, and chat
ted about one hundred and one trivial
things until they reached their apart
ment. In the mail box, he found a thick
envelope.
w iitt II II biiS JUN SpOht Wilt
ont enthusiasm. She had seen similar
nissIves before.
1.-the Final Payment has come
back" he announced, "Tll send 1t out
again tonight"
Il wouldn't If I were you" She
spoke with a touch of sarcasm. Its
only n waste Of postage
Mr. Jack wisely refruiued from re-
plying, hut made his why TO the den,
where he idly picked up current
magazine. ON the title page. the an
nouncement of prize short-story con-
test stared at him.
"0ne thousand dollars" he read,
will be given for the best short story
submitted"
Without saying word to anyone, he
inserted "Thc Final Payment" In an
envelope and sent ii to the magazine
conducting the contest. Then he await
ed results.
Meanwhile he maintained Il discreet
silence. He applied himself industri-
ously to his law business, and managed
To secure one or two big cases, which
promised 10 turn out extremely well.
II told you that you were never
meant for writer" Mrs. Jack remind
ed him one evening, about two months
after his prize story had been submit
ted. Look at the way you are pro-
crossing. We ought to save thousand
dollars easily within the next two
years. II you had kept on trying to
write, we'd he worse off than ever"
Mr.. Jack smiled, and went on his
way. Then, one afternoon, his office
mail brought an envelope stamped
with the name of certain magazine.
1t wasn't long, thick envelope, but a
short, thin one, and 1t contained some
thing which made his heart beat furi-
ously.
That night, at the supper table, he
preached the subject to his Wife.
DO you remember that Final Pay
mont story?" he asked.
yes" She showed little interest.
"Well, l sent 1t to magazine about
two months ago"
You dld7"
Eyes, and heard from them today"
They kept Ii little longer than
usual" She changed the subject. 81
went by the house this afternoon"
Air Jack frowned. 1t seemed to him
that his wife still had little faith in
his literary powers. Which was true.
And someone was looking at It."
Mrs. Jack continued. II went to the
agent and he said he had fine chance
TO sell It,"
Wei" Mr.. Jack arose from the
table. Il think I'll 80 down to the club
for while. I'll be back before nine"
In an hour or so he returned, smiling
broadly.
When he came home the next eve
ming, Mrs. Jack met him with tear
dimmed eyes.
"oh, jack she cried, "the ntt!e
house Is sold"
who bought it?' There was happy
light in his eyes
"fho agent wouldn't tell me. But
The person deposited the money last
night, and now we've lost Il for good"
We'll, that's too bad" He was ap-
parenuy Indifferent. TIN going to
write some more tonight"
OH She turned away angrily. II
hate your old writings. If you had at
tended to your business, we could have
had enough money to buy the house
ourselves"
I'm sorry, dear" Touched by the
kocn disappointment In her voice. he
led her TO the wicker couch. do you
know who bought the housc?"
II told You l didn't" She was stin
angry.
We'll - He paused a moment For
effect. at was Mr.. Jack Winterr
what" She looked at him with
amazemeut.
Yes he continued. yesterday l re-
ceived check for one thousand dol
lars for my story. The Final Payment.
Y won frs; prize in the magazine con-
test"
They didn't bother about supper that
evening, but walked together to the 1T
tie house on the hill. After they FAD
explored every nook and corner 70
their hearts content, Mrs. Jack turned
with heamlnE eyes to her husband