The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1917-05-07
"BAMBl" B Benton ma Cooke

Ia thrilling moment. "Prize Story
| by a Wonderful New Writer"
stared up at her from the front
page. Her tale had the place of
honor in the makeup. and 1t was
illustrated - double-page illustra-
lions - by James Montgomery
Flaff, the supreme desire of every
young writer. She Rugged the
magazine. She scanned 1t over
and over. She laid 1t on the table,
picked 1t up casually, and turned
to the first story indifferently,
just to squeeze the full joy out of
lit. Then she pounded a pile of
lpillows into shape. drew her feet
up under her, and began to read
her own work. She smiled a good
deal. she chuckled. finally she
laughed outright, hugging herself.
At this unfortunate moment Jar
Wis appeared. She looked as guilty
as a detected criminal.
What's the joker"
"Oh, l was laughing at story
in here"
How can you read that trash?"
at isn't trash. It's perfectly de-
llightful."
what Is it," He came nearer
to her, and she clutched the mag
azine tightly.
"A prize story? And funny
enough to make you laugh? Not
o. Henry?"
"Of course not. He's dead. A
new writer, 1t says"
He held out his hands for it,
and, perforce, she resigned it to
him.
francesca" he replied.
odd, isn't 1t? That's what at
tracted me to it," Bambi lied.
We'll. I suppose there are other
Francescas. I came to ask you to
listen to a scenario"
Good. I shall be delighted"
she replied cordially, folding the
magazine over her finger.
So the fatal moment came and
passed. Her secret was safe. She
kept the cherished magazine in
her own room, read and re-read It.
patting its cover, as one would a
curly head.
Upon the receipt OF her second
story came telegram from
Strong, Can you see me on
Thursday? New plan for stories
Arrive in Sunnyside ten in the
m orning." She wired him to
come, then sat down to work up
an explanation of him for the
Heavenly Twins" He would be
there to lunch-he must be ac-
counted for. She discarded sew
eral plans. and finally decided to
introduce him as the brother of q
college class mate, in town for
the day.
At lunch she casually remarked,
Richard Strong is coming to
lunch Thursday. l hope you will
both be here"
who may Richard Strong be?"
inquired her father.
HE is the brother of an old
classmate, Mary Strong"
Does he live here?" Jarvis
asked.
NO. He lives in New York"
II never heard of him BEFORE
Professor Parkhurst said.
'Oh, yes. / used to talk about
him a great deal. He's a fine fell
low"
We'll, we shall be glad to see
the young man. Would you like
me to change off my afternoon
classes and remain at homer"
"Oh, no. Don't think OF it,"
Bambi cried, with unprecedented
warmth, which focused Jarvis
eyes upon her. He'll be here only
little while, and we will remin-
isce. He would bore you to death. 4"
II like to be cordial to your
beaus."
Professor Parkhurst, I am a
married woman"
Dear me, so you are. I am al
ways forgetting Jarvis. II he is q
bore, I'll lunch at the club"
Possibly you would prefer me
to lunch out, too" said Jarvis,
pointedly.
Not at all. want you both
here" said Bambi. with irritation,
closing the incident. She had a
feeling that she had not handled
the situation as well as she ad
planned to do.
Thursday and Mr.. Strong ar
rived with the inevitableness OF
dreaded events.
As he stenned off the train and