The Ordway new era., 1916-12-01

l nave experienced nus 'i-'''N
in the eyes of the postman, ana TINS
silent solicitude on his part is getting
on my nerves. | am glad he failed to
witness this final disappointment. l
mean final too. for | am determined 10
| 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 it desk room for another day,
thus permitting me to live up TO my
maine today of all days
After u.is outburst, Mae Hope,
would-be song writer, sank into
chair. thrust bulky envelope from the
Frank Charity Music Publishers into
her desk, and sat hcpeleSsly gazing ut
the small epistle from the same Office
an! with a slight touch of humor and
n faint suggestion Of smile, recited
the contents of that Ietter-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, but sin
cerely trust you will not be discour-
aged, etc, etc"
For three years Miss Hope had been
receiving these distressing notes froln
the genial young publisher. who could
not summon the courage to advise her
to give up. Perhaps he realized 1t was
merely a case of humoriag an iInag-
luary talent rather than attempting to
earn q 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 as a cover over some Sentimental
verses accompanied by music.
1t was the morning of the last Jay
Of the third unsuccessful year, Mae
Urpe was Interrupted at breakfast by
the sound Of TIE door bell.
a lady TO see you, Miss Hope"
81 Ike the maid.
ThL n03ae 90 the carI seemed to add
insult to Injury.
Mrs. Fru.k Charity never knew
he was married. Maybe ii is soraeone
else. Probably somebody knows 1 need
charity. Tell her l will be down i'm
nediately."
One glance at her visitor assured
Miss Hope it was 10 stranger, but an
old school friend.
Violet Faith, You? The card reads
Mrs. Charity
why. Mae, you seem surprised"
How should l know you were mar
riedf"
violet, stealing a glance at the dis
orderly desk, remarked tartly:
Perhaps it would be a good idea
to read your letters if you want to
keep W with the parade"
You dc-'t near," picking up the
bulky envelope frcrl the FraEk Char
ity Music Publishing company. ''tIiat
this is a letter from you. II looks fCr
all the wcrli like manuscript"
Manuscript, indeed! 1t is the story
Of my life writtc- on 10Y wedding Gay
and l am delighted to fiLd it unopened
a whole week later. 1 thought it was
i wonderfully thrilling and to say the
| least, interesting to an old friend.
I spent so much time COMPOSING it, an
sure you Will 1e fully enlightened il
you read 1t instead of looking at me IL
blank aInazement and making it i'm
pOssible TO express myself
Miss Hcpe. after seeing her gnes
comfortably seated belved into IN.
iepths of the secret, but not before she
lad said by way of apology:
"a week, my dear, is a very shor
time to be ignored with suspicion!
looking envelope Of this kind" ant
this remark was thoroughly appreciat
I'd by Violet Faith Charity.
"8Iy dear" said Violet, at all hap
, pened because 1 attended services oil
Christmas eve, but to begin at the tim
! when / last saw you, the one day
most distinctly recall was the day
! met Frank. He was on the stage, an
believing him to be regular actor,
dared not mention him to Aunt Agnes
For years l suffered the annoyance Q
entertaining her choice acquaintance
and met with her disapproval for m
B utter Indifference. You can imagine m
! relief when the second appearance {
Frank in our little city showed hil
! in the light of chautauqua singer
consequently eligible to admittance
\ the best circles. He sang some Of yor
compositions, won my aunt, took h
! bride, and here am. Suppose you tai
a glance at the other envelope thi
came by the same messenger"
Mae. speechlessly, laid down Il
"story of my life" and fingered Il
small envelope, which held another 81
I prise; silently reached for her lett
opener, and inside Of another minute
! check for $1,000 fell into her lap.
! When she could pull herself togeth
/ suniciently she Rad o. Mttls note