The Morgan City daily review. (Morgan City, La.) 1916-1920, 1916-12-14

and with a slight touch Of humor and
a faint suggestion of a 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, but sim
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 a case of humoring an mag
mary talent rather than attempting to
earn 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 cover over some sentimental
verses accompanied by music.
1t was the morning of the last day
IF the third unsuccessful year. Mae
Hope was interrupted at breakfast by
the sound of the door bell.
"a lady to gee you, Miss Hope"
spoke the maid.
The name ON the card seemed to add
insult to injury.
"'Mrs. Frank Charity never knew
he was married. Maybe it is someone
else. Probably somebody knows need
charity. Tell her will be down i'm
mediately."
One glance at her visitor assured
Miss Hope it was no stranger. but az
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 it would be good idea
20 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, shat
this is letter from you. It looks for
ali the world like manuscript"
Manuscript, indeed! 1t is the story
of my life written on my wedding day,
and l ar. delighted to End it unopened
a whole week later. l thought it was
wonderfully thrilling, and to say the
least, interesting to an old friend. l
spent so much tine composing 1t, am
sure you will be fully enlightened if
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
depths Of the secret, but not before she
had said by way Of apology:
"a week, my dear, is very snort
time to be ignored with q suspicious
looking envelope Of this klnd' anu
this remark was thoroughly appreciat'
ed by Violet Faith Charity.
"My DEAR" said Violet, ut all nap
pened because / attended services on
Christmas eve, but to begin at the time
when L last saw you, the one day !
most distinctly recall was the day l
met Frank. He was on the stage anu
believing him to be a regular ACTOR
dared not mention him to Aunt Agnes.
For years l suffered the annoyance u
entertaining her choice acquaintance
and met with her disapproval 1or NY
utter Indifference. You can imagine III!
relief when the second appearance VI
Frank in our little city showed h'i1
in the light of chautauqua singer
consequently eligible to admlttahce ~
the best circles. He sang some OF your
compositions, won my aunt, took MS
bride, and here 1 am. Suppose you taAe
glance at the ether envelope tna'
came by the same messenger.
Mae, speechlessly, laid down Two
"story of my life" and fingered ne
small envelope, which held anotner a.S -
prise; silently reached for her 'e''s.
opener, and inside Of another miho'e :
check tor $1,000 fell into her Jap
When she could pull herself toge'ne'
sufficiently she read the little note az
conpanying:
~Dear Miss Hope-1 sang your s0r -.
at Lakewood, and they mace tns -.
We have both been waiting for. ! W..
a bride and you win the cash. Asf''
Christmas. uv,
FRANK CHARITY.
ut seems, Violet. the same man Aa.
made u both happy. he has gwen ~.
the hero you prayed for, and has ns's ~.
me to q coveted career. ana tns wv
reason he did not make US ootn napp.
on Christmas day y that you TOOK ".
proper step-livsd up to your ssua
Faith, and went TO church to nsvsy
prayer answered. while chose ne ~ ~
simistie mood and when happ1nee -
into ny hap tAsev 4 aAos -
ILL., 4. e. AnnA "A 0nna6.