The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-07-12

by some good or evil fortune, 1 |
had secured an interview with the edi- |
tor. AS 1 entered his office, he had |
his back toward me. 1t did not look
free from nervousness. Then he
turned and my hopes went into my
shoes. He had on glasses and was
frowning. His eyes bored right
through me and it required all my
courage to hand him the manuscript.
He took it with evident reluctance,
and | sat beside him praying with all
my soul for his favorable opinion. 1t
meant so much to me. Almost with
despair 1 watched him slip page after
page between his fingers He glanced
at one. looked at a second, third, and
handed it back to me.
won't you read it p I asked in
very small voice. In my disappoint-
ment could hardly get the words out
of my mouth.
ct am sorry I cannot use it, he
answered, and turned to his desk
"Of course 1 should have gone at
once. I didn't. For the moment L
couldn't move. L suppose there was
something in the silence that made
him turn to me again. There I sat,
without a handkerchief, the tears
streaming down my face. He handed
me his. 1 am not sure he did not pat
me on the back, looked so absurdly
like a little girl. If he did, I was too
when at last 1 lifted my head he
had the story in his hand and looked
no happier than 1 felt, but he said in
a kindly, fatherly sort of way:
years old. Child, if you must write,
have story to tell. This is nothing
but a happening. an episode. Well
written, l admit. but there is nothing
to hold the attention-no plot, no ac-
ton. We want strong stories of life
But this is rea. story inter-
rupted- I knew all about it. And life
isn't always complicated affair,
doesn't always hinge on plot. 1t is
more often a happening than anything
else
For an hour that busy man listened
to me. was sure he would in the end
accept it. but carried it away with
me-
still 1 do not see what connection
Mr.. Isham had with It, one of the
ladies remarked.
"Ohi thought 1 had told YOU he
was the editor who turned me down"
She glanced toward him. THE largest
check 1 have ever received 1 received
for that story"
He looked at her with amused eyes.
81 never before credited you with
bearing malice, but now that you have
had your revenge walk to the gate
with me. Small David is waiting and
1 never disappoint him with his bed
time story
At the gate they paused. The mock
| oranges on either side were a wealth
of bloom. Gathering the branches into
her arms, she buried her face in the
| white petals, breathing the perfume
1 with evident delight. ST would not
miss this for all the world. Mary al
ways asks me down when they are in
| bloom and no matter how pressed
| am for time l always come" she said.
81 know. That was the real reason
for my buying here when decided the
country was the best place for that
youngster of mine. I wanted our
home to be where you would be hap
pest
''Surely-not again. How often must
I tell you 1 do not need a home''
He laughed slightly. Doesn't this
tempt you?" with a wave of his hand
toward the flower-bordered walk.
| Our grounds are even more beauti-
proposal. The habit has grown on me
Three times a year for more years
than care to contemplate. 1 should
think by now you would say Yes in
self-defense."
There has been so little variation
in the phrasing I have never realized
how often you have suggested should
take you for better, for worse" She
looked at him critically. You have
changed much since my first visit tC
your office. There is a more human
look about you. 1 have often won
dered why you were so unsympathetic
That Is not the word 1 want she
added impatiently. kindly is a bet
ter one"
1T is odd 1 have never told you," he
replied thoughtfully. 1T has Away!
escaped me. 1 fully intended telling
you that as you entered I had JUS
finished reading letter informing m,
of the death of my brother and hi
wife and that little David was on hi
way to me. The thought of a baby il
, my small apartment appalled, me
You came in as laid the letter down
mere child, yourself, and 1 do no
like children. I"
your child, And all these years
have been jealous of his mother" sh
finished involuntarily
What"
Nothing"
I "All through these years?
All through the years. From tn
time 1 knew there was a little David.
rs that what kept you from saw
! ing Yes"
She nodded. II was unhappy, mis-
erably unhappy at the mere though
you had once cared for another WON
E an. If 1 had married you I Shout
never have had a moments peace O
i AiAiid. SIiOutu nave Always 1eIC yO
1 were thinking of her.
. Now that you know you were mis-
!. taken-what? ~
She turned to him and put he
hands on his shoulders. David" sh
a said with little nervous laugh, "di
you really think so badly of that stor
:, as you would have me believer"
? He looked down upon her as sh
stood within the circle of his arm.
4 my dear Sarah" giving her a Ittl
- shake, 'if you will bark back to tina
:. time at such a moment 1 must tell yo
! I bought the story at an exorbitar
price"
. Yes. The price was high, but 1 fe
y you owed it to me-"
- - WHAT
What a dear, dear Ounce you ar
, David. You and 1 were the only tw
= who knew of that old raannscrin