Mansfield mirror. (Mansfield, Wright County, Mo.) 1908-1957, 1916-12-14

10 tnlS time TIE Only
l have experienced has shOne
II the eyes of the pOstman, and this
silent sOlicltude on his part is getting
on my nerves. l am glad he failed to
witness this final. disappointment. l
mean final too, for l am determined to
devote my efforts to some other line
from now on. Still l don't see why he
should have ruined my Christmas. 1t
seems to me since he held my manu-
script for six weeks, he could have
given 1t desk room for another day,
thus permitting me to live up to my
name today of all days."
After this outburst, Mae Hope, u
would-be song writer, sank into "a
chair, thrust a bulky envelope from the
Frank Charity Music Publishers into
her desk, and sat hopelessly gazing at
the small epistle from the same Office
and with q slight touch of humor and
a faint suggestion Of II smile, recited
the contents of that letter-not
through the envelope, which she had
not opened, but from memory:
"Sorry, Miss Hope, that this is not
yet quite up to the standard, hut sin.
cerely trust you will not be discour.
aged, ETC., ETC."
For three years>Miss Hope had been
receiving these distressing notes from
the genial young publisher, who could
not summon the courage to advise her
to give up. Perhaps he realized it was
merely u case Of humoring an imag-
mary talent rather than attempting to
earn a living as the young lady's In
come was sufficient to keep her alive
without setting fire to the universe by
flashing on the public her picture serv-
ing Us a over some sentimental
verses accompanied by music.
1t was the morning of the last day
Of the third unsuccessful year. Mae
Hope was interrupted at breakfast by
the sound of the door bell.
"A lady to see You, Miss Hope"
spoke the maid.
The name on the card seemed to add
insult to injury.
"'Mrs. Frank Charity I never knew
he was married. Maybe 1t is someone
else. Probably somebody knows l need
charity. Tell her ] will be down Inn
medlately."
One glance at her visitor assured
Miss Hope 1t was no stranger, but an
old school friend.
"violet Faith You? The card reads
Mrs. Charity"
"Why Mae, you seem surprised"
"HOw should I know you were mar
ried?"
"violet, stealing a glance at the dis.
orderly desk. remarked tartly:
perhaps 1t would be q good idea
to read your letters If you want to
keep up with the parade"
you don't mean" picking up the
bulky envelope from the Frank Char
ity Music Publishing company, "that
this Is a letter from you. 1t looks for
all the world like manuscript"
Manuscript. indeed! 1t is the story
Of my life Written on my wedding day.
and l am delighted to find it unopened
a whole week later. I thought 1t was
wonderfully thrilling, and to say the
least, interesting to an old friend. l
spent sc much time composing 1t. am
sure you will be fully enlightened II
you read It instead of looking at me In
blank amazement and making 1t i'm.
possible to express myself"
Miss Hope, after seeing her guest
comfortably seated, delved into the.
iepths of the secret. but not before she
had said by way Of apology:
"A week, my dear, is o very short
time to be ignored with a suspicious
looking envelope Of this kind" and
this remark was thoroughly appreciat.
ed by Violet Faith Charity.
my dear" said Violet, ut all hap
pened because I attended services on
! Christmas eve, but to begin at the time
when l last saw, you. the one day.,I