Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1916-10-31

but Connie did have way of saying
things, and-Carol laid it down in her
lap and stared at it thoughtfully.
Then she called Lark.
Look here" she said abruptly.
Read this. It's the masterpiece"
She maintained perfect silence
while Lark perused the crumpel man
uscript
How is it,"
"Why, it's not bad" declared Lark
in surprised voice. "It's not half
bad. It's Connie all right, isn't it?
Well, what do you know about that?"
SIS it any good?" pursued Carol.
"Why, yes, l think it is. It's just
like folks you know. They talk as
we do, and-Im surprised they didn't
keep it. I've read 'em whole lot
worse"
Comics disappointed" Carol said
IT think she needs little boost.
believe she'll really get there if we
kind of crowd her along for while.
She told me to keep this dark and so
will. Well just copy it over and
send it out again."
"And if it comes back?"
we'll send it again. Well get the
name of every magazine in the library.
and give 'em all chance to start the
newest author on the rosy way
/ It'll take lot of stamps"
| "That's so. Do you have to enclose
enough to bring them back? ! don't
| like that. Seems to me it's just tempt
F! ing Providence. If they want to send
, them back, they ought to pay for do
ing it.s l say we Just enclose note
taking it for granted they'll keep it,
and tell them where to send the mon
| ey And never put a stamp In sight
for them to think of using up"
I'VE can't do that. It's bad man.
ners'
We'll. I have half dollar" admit
ted Carol reluctantly.
After that the weeks passed by. The
twins saw finally the shadow of disap-
pointment leaving Comics face and
another expression of absorption take
its place.
"She's started another one" Lark
said, wise in her personal experience.
And when there came the starry
rapt gaze once more, they knew that
this one, too, had gone to meet its
fate. But before the second blow fell
the twins gained their victory. They
embraced each other feverishly, and
kissed the precious check a hundred
times and insisted that Connie was
the cleverest little darling that ever
lived on earth. Then, when Connie,
with their father and aunt, was sitting
in unsuspecting quiet, they trfpped in
upon her.
IL no ,aft hi mo RI 90 tn
said Carol beaming paternally at Con-
ME- Listen attentively. Put down
your paper, father. It's important. Go
on. Larkie."
my dear Miss Starr" read Lark.
I'VE are very much pleased with your
story,"-Connie sprang suddenly from
her chair-"your story. When the
Rule Worked Backwards We are
placing it in one of our early numbers
and shall be glad at any time to have
the pleasure of examining more of
your work We enclose our check for
forty-fite dollars Thanking you, and
assuring you of the satisfaction with
which we have read your story, l am,
Very cordially yours
"'Tra, lalalalala!" sang the twins, |
dancing around the room. waving, one
the letter, the other the check.
Comics face was pale, and she
caught her head with both hands.
laughing nervously. I'm going !
round she gasped Stop me-"
Carol promptly pushed her down in
chair and sat upon her lap.
Petty good-eh, what?'
ooh. Carol, don't say that, it sounds
awful cautioned Lark
What do you think about it, Con- !
ME? Pretty fair boost for struggling
young author don't you think? Family. |
arise. The chautauqua salute! We
have arrived. Connie is an author !
Forty-five dollars!"
but however did you do it," won |
dered Connie breathlessly.
"Why. we sent 1t out, and
Just once?"
alas. move sent it seven times"
"Oh. girls, how could you! Think /
of the stamps! I'm surprised you had |!
the money
Remember that last quarter we
borrowed of you? Well"
Connie laughed excitedly. oh, oh! |
forty-fiye dollars! Think of it. oh, i
father
where's the story he asked a |
little jealousy. why didn't you let !
me look it over, Connie?'
"Oh, father. couldn't. III felt
shy about it. You don't know how it