The Era-leader. [volume] (Franklinton, La.) 1910-current, 1916-09-21
the HOUSE ON The HILL
BY EARL sItvERs.

Young Mrs Jack Winter gazed long
and sorrowfully at the little "h'te
house on the hill.
"If you'd only stop your foolish at
tennis to write short stories, she
said to her worshiping husband, you
could make enough money az your
business to buy that home N 4 IL"
months"
"But perhaps I'll sell story or
two" Mr. Jack answered, land then
we can buy it anyway"
you'll never sell a story" her
speech was brutally frank. Ut ISL [
in you"
Mrs. Jacks tone betrayed long sur
fering. She had been married for SIX
months, and during that time Mr. Jack
had received ii rejection slips. ne
was obsessed with the idea that ne
could write, but neither his vile nor
his friends gave him any encourage
ment.
He drew his reluctant wife away
from her dreamy contemplation OF the
much-desired white cottage, ana cha'
ted about one hundred and one trivia
things until they reached their apart
ment. In the mail box, he found tMci
envelope.
"What is it?" Mrs. Jack spoke with
ont enthusiasm. She had seen simlla
missives before.
"'The Final Payment has com
hack" he announced. I'll send it on
again tonight
81 wouldn't If I were you" Sh
smoke with n touch Of sarcasm. 1T
only a waste of postage"
Mr.. Jack wisely refrained from r
plying, but made his way to the de
where he idly picked up currei
magazine. On the title page, the a
novncement of prize short-story co
test stared at him.
zone thousand dollars" ne rea
; twill be given for the best short sto
= submitted"
Without saying Il word to anyone
inserted '9The Final Payment in
envelope and sent It to the magaA
- conducting the contest. Then ne ava
ed results.
,.r Meanwhile he maintained a dlscrf
nd. silence. He applied himself indust
or ously to his law business, and manae
tho to secure one or two big cases, VIII
nv promised to turn out extremely we'll
ars II told you that you were me-
tho meant for a writer" Mrs. Jack reml
,ot. ed him one evening, about two mon
r.. after his prize story had been subn
lilo ted. "Look at the way you are T
81 crossing. We ought to save thoust
81 dollars easily within the next
full years. If you had kept on trying
write, we'd be worse off than ever "
Mr.. Jack smiled, and went on
way. Then, one afternoon, bis OF
mail brought an envelope STAN
with the name Of certain magaz
It wasn't q long, thick envelope, 81
short, thin one, and it contained 50
thing which made his heart beat t
'; 2stf ously.
d 70, That night, at the supper table
q, ,1't to preached the subject to his wife.
CHEST DO you remember that Final
lnent story?" he asked,
EYES," She showed little intere'
ourt "Well, sent 1t to magazine a
yeen two months ago.
ales. "You didP'
to eyes, and I heard from them tod
"They kept it little longer
hall usual" She changed the subject
wo>t went by the house this afternoon
, Mr.. Jack frowned. It seemed to
:, that his wife still had little fat
= his literary powers. Which was t
And someone was looking at
IL or Mrs. Jack continued. II went tc
ange agent and he said he had fine Oh
to sell it."
6t Of "Well," Mr.. Jack arose from
table. II think I'll 60 down to the
for a while. I'll be back before MIN
,;r IN an hour or so he returned, sn