Hopkinsville Kentuckian., 1917-04-24
The First
Prize
0
BY Frances Elizabeth Lanyon


II I only win the first prizei'
Roscoe Merriam paused there, for a
us<sa picture filed his mind. His men,
~ vision wove glowing fairy trail
- fhought-travel, a renewed ward
nAe. better living quarters and-Shlr-
nx
Rrfze or no prize as his award might
n. he had one overpowering satisfac-
nna-though competing for the same.
~ had come across Shirley Moore and
an.t meant delight and longing. and
n.ee at times only, for he was poor
.s<z obscure and was finding the lit
9sy path neither one of roses or re-
WErd
A frall stipend attended certain
Er<spaper writing part of the day.
nnsroe had leisure for real literary
wrxk and had completed a novel. 1t
wss the day the last page was written
z&s1 he noted an advertisement In u
Bnskman's magazine. Duryea & Nevis,
rHSliShers. offered three prizes for the
ehr-e best novels handed in within
zzz<ty days. The first prize was five
strssand dollars. The novel was ready
ny immediate delivery. He packed up
aIs manuscript neatly and went direct
~ she Office of the publishing firm.
EAen-Shirley. She was the secre-
GzsEg Of Mr.. Woods, editor of the estab-
EEtEnent. She was, as well, the infor-
nznzon clerk, when not engaged in
Azking dlctation. There was something
~f a mutual but unspoken exchange of
aBulful sentimca. through the inter-
eAaRge of glance.
Beyond taking the manuscript, giving
N a namber and encouragingIy compli-
zscttng Roscoe on having made the
4rss entry in the competition, the love-
~ xoung secretary had nothing further
% my during later calls Of the anx-
A1S author. except to express the
oaee that he would win the award. The
szs&ing of the novel rested with Mr..
H2sods. she told Roscoe simply. As to
1ke later visits of Roscoe they were
Nueiy incidental and resulted from
A1E CHANGING to come across Miss
xiasne In restaurant. She nodded and
umi8ed and even moved her chair at
The- table. tactfully inviting his COM
Mny-
He was, indeed. nothing loath, and
2Aa showed that she liked this manly
xszHg fellow. He dropped in at the pub
kxhing Office one day as II quite casual
!. The acquaintanceship ripened. He
rited her to the theater on the
rength of free passes. The friendship
TN and there was a mutual pleasure
perfenced in discussing the past,
cir hopes and their future.
Roscoe called upon her one evening
md found her more CHEEKY and sympa-
sh<.tc than ever She had some news
n ann. she said. but OH he must
gard intelligence as strictly conf
Sstntlal.
Mr. Woods Is very much taken with
yExr. story" she bubbled over and the
ElAdnews nearly took his breath away.
I am so glad" he voiced and the
nxe of that first prize dazzled as in
1Aney IT dangled enticingly before his
wes.
-yes," pursued Shirley anlmately. T
overheard him discussing II with Mr..
Duyea- He said that your story was
csse most attractive yet presented. Oh,
Rdo so hope your good fortune will
come TO you'll I"
sAnd If 1t does" reflected Roscoe as
M walked home on air, you. my sweet
EfH4e wild rose, shall share II with me,
n you viii 20
Then came dark days. Roscoe lost
ais Insecure position with the news
nsper. He found other work, which
yeas Of the cheapest hack-writing char
ac,er and barely provided for food and
fzS room rent. He kept away from
BRrley now, for his overcoat had
Evwn shabby and he could not afford
IN take her to the entertainments they
1srneriy had shared.
SAe met him turning q street corner
sne morning Her color came and
went rapidly. Her hand pressure
Drtiieu MN, LOT IL was 1ervent and
eenaines
II do not see much Of you these
days, Mr.. Merriam" she observed.
It am dreadfully busy" averred Ros-
cse- with an alriness poorly affected.
'-My- work is constant, confning and
poorly paid. But oh the better times
when win that first prize"
She detected the false ring in his
tones. She pressed him TO call at the
office when he passed and she choked
down a dreary little sob as she parted
with him, for in a flash in her plying,
wpmanly way she read the truth
pEide, poverty and struggle.
She had found so much to respect
and admire in the man-reverence,
genius He was true and good, with
noble aspirations. Some of the lofty
a0ughts he had enunciated during the
ks.8ef companionship had influenced and
f'sevated her simple life Of toll. She
7. - a. Il. 4