The Columbus courier. [volume] (Columbus, Luna County, N.M.) 1911-1920, 1917-11-23
MARTHA's MENU


AaAtnN "ha hituuN W tne small rvs
tnurant on upper broadway havinF
luncheon when a plot registered Itself
IN her conscious mind II was not IN
extraordinarily good plot, yet. since
she bad 20 many stories 10 write. each
q was worth remembering for fu-
luro use.
II was seldom that Martha found
herself without her notebook.
However. Martha soon supplied her
lack BY asking for n pencil from the
waiter and BY MAILING use Of the menu
eard.
The waiter brought IN a savory crab
ment c~oncoction and set A before
Mnrtha and 40 delicious was lts flavor
That plots aud tho writing Of plots were
entirely forgotten. She ate quickly,
paid the winter hSFsiediy and went
swiftly out Of the restaurant and along
Broadway.
The rather Ecrlous-looking young
man who took tho chair vacated By
Martha wns interested sufficiently In
his menu card TO glance at both front
and back OF II. On the front he saw
names OF dainty edibles from which
ne mnde a selection and on the back
no found Martha's hurriedly. written
plot for n story.
This IL more than I prayed for"
murmured the young man, and pro.
cceded 70 read all that he could OF
Mnrthn's almost illegible writing; "a
story to read and a good lunch all for
forty cents"
He had scarcely finished the story
md decided that II wasn't bad. but Il
could be wonderfully improved. when
a stormy-eyed Girl came into the res
tnurnnt and stood beside him. LOOK.
ing up. John Dunnt questioned with
bis eyes.
May I please have the menu card
you Just put In your pocketf" Martha
demanded. Il left II here but a mo
ment ago"
sit down" suggested Durant and
stood M a. n welcoming a friend. -
want 10 tolk 20 you about the story
II II really belongs 10 you"
"Yes, thank you" she said In an
fwer 10 his request that she Join HIN
In a cup Of coffee.
snow" Durant said, when he had
Martha comfortably established behind
the coffee and a small sherbct. -
want 20 tell you that while the story
written on this menu Is rather well con
cclved I can give you far better mate
rial for the ending" He proceeded 10
outline the story, but brought n won
dcrful climax into II that quite aston
lshcd Martha.
"ohl That II heaps better" sSe cX
claimed enthusiastically.
Rather good assented Durnnt
thinking Of the eyes. snow II you
write that story as I have outlined Il
and send n TO the Sunlight Magazine
I feel reasonably sure that YOU will
get a nice check In return. II looks 10
ms IA II that story Il iust In their
line
TT Il very good Of You 10 suggest the
Sunlight. I hadn't quite hoped Ia land
a story there. Do you know Who the
editor lsf"
Ills nnme s." Durunt pondered
n moment, "Durant. John Durunt.
Send Il to him personally. You1l get
better attention"
Martha had arisen and her hpnd wal
extended TO him. III 7 sell the story
should like 20 know my c~ollnborator's
name" she said.
II prefer my name 10 remain a 40
cret. You might be tempted to hurl
me into the limellght OF fame along
with yourself. l will watch the sun.
light Magazine, however. and take
great interest In seeing the story
there" He dismissed Martha with o
slight inclination OF the head.
Martha was torn between plque aud
citation over the story. She won't d.
rectly TO her studio and worked the
rest Of the day. When the story wns
finished Martha rerend and polished
II, made an extra copy and sent II to
The editor 81 Sunlight.
Ten days posed before MarthE
heard from her story. Then she re-.
ceived a note saying the editor wanted
70 speak with her nhout q few changes
IN the story, and she went 10 the Office
u the Sunlight Magazine.
John Durnnt arose from the editorial
chair to greet her. Martha was 80 TAX.
IN aback when she recognized the
young man of the restaurant that a
quick color sprang Into her checks.
"ohr' che exclaimed. $50 ycu are
john DurRnti" She felt Intensely fool.
lRh after that remark.
II knew ! would meet you sooner or
later" said Durant. with deliberate
meaning behind his serious eyes, "Ihnt
was my renson for Withholding my
unine from you" He looked long and
frankly Into Mortha's eyes. "And now
for business" he said with a smile that
he found delightful; "this story f.
worth two hundred dollars 10 me, n
you are willing 10 make some slight
changes, Arc your
"Iuheed, I am" she said brightly.