The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1916-07-08
She opened the letter and read:


She opened the letter and read:
Dear Mr.. Hughes.
we have carefully considered It's
Blood That Tells and regret that we
cannot see our way to publish It. Your
style of working is, unfortunately, II
that does not commend itself to us.
Your truly"
What does he mean by my style
of working?" shouted Oliver indignant
ly. HE told me at our last interview
that l could consider my next serial
as good as accepted, and this is ten
times better than the last. And |
bought you that solitaire on the
strength of it, and I'm going to sue
him for a hundred dollars anyway.
And now we can't get married"
Margery put her arms about his
neck. Give me the manuscript, dear"
she said. III go and see Mr.. Avis"
"You, Margery? How can ! let you
face that fiend in human form? No,
I'll go. I'll go with a horsewhip and
tell him just what l think of 1t all, and
of him, too"
You'd better let me try, Oliver" an
swered Margaret gently. You know,
you aren't such a diplomatist as am"
It was on the following morning that
the editor OF the Slap-Dash Monthly
received a visit from a charming young
unknown lady in a pretty new suit,
! who insisted on an Immediate inter.
view with him.
81 had 10 come to see you" she said
gushingly, as she sat down beside his
desk. Il wanted to say that | think
Mr.. Oliver Hughes story was just
splendid. When are you going to print
another by him?"
Il don't know" said Mr.. Avis
feebly, staring at the apparition beside
him. while his assistant, across the
table, ostentatiously knocked the ashes
out of his pipe.
Il am sure all his readers must rave
over him" said Miss Gibson. 1T must
mean a lot to your magazine to be able
to print stories like that. When is his
next coming out? Promise me tc
telephone him at once for another"
rs this Mr.--Mr. Hughes known tC
your" asked the editor cautiously.
IL have never set eyes On him II
my life" replied Margery. 81 am MOI
fit to associate with the great minds o.
the era. | am only a stenographer, bu.
| think ! have a taste for literature. {
yes, laugh if you like, but | say Mr.
Hughes is a great, great man."
"Miss-er-Gibson," said the edito
with inspiration, would you be willini
to write us a testimonial to that effect
to print with Mr.. Hughes next story, |
we should see ft?"
Certainly" answered Miss Gibson.
You can use this typewriter, yol
know" the editor continued.
Five minutes later Miss Gibson hand
tainly n that ought to have turne,
the paper pink, if 1t didn't.
And you use another story by Nj
Hughes at once?" asked Margery.
"Ye-yes," said Mr.. Avis, studyin
the testimonial hard.
And you'll telephone him?"
Il WILL" said Mr.. Avis, conductin
her to the door.
When Margery was gone, radiant, h
came back and placed the testimonia
before Mr.. Jennings.
Same letter without a tail" sal
Jennings. Same that the schoolmarI
made, and the convict and the fello'
from Ohio, who also-used the typ
writer. Iguess their little fingers weI
too short to reach 1t on this old styl
7 Podger machine. Men always use fou
, fingers in typewriting, you know"
. Eyes, | know" said Avis.
, Suppose she did it all herself?"
1 guess So"
That let's him out, then. But whs
about the girl. It's fierce. that swindle
), "Ah, well, wait till you're a marie
man, Jennings" answered the editc
loftily. Besides, | guess it isn't muc
worse than our writing our own test
: monials in this Office"