The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-03-19
EVENING STORY
MartIia'S Menu.
CBy Dorothy Douglas. }

in her conscious mind. 1t was not an
extraordinarily good plot, yet. since
she had SO many stories to write, each
one was worth remembering for flu
ture use.
1t was seldom that Martha found
herself without her notebook. This,
however. proved to be one of those
rare occasions.
This is UNI Preparedness with a ven
geance.' she scoldcd herself when dill
igent search thru her pocketbook and
, small change purse failed to produce
either pau pencil. You've no
right to be a scribe she added to
herself.
However, Martha soon supplied her
the waiter and by making use of the
menu card. She wrote very swiftly
for a moment or two. The plot de-
veloped rather easily and she had COW
cred halt the card with fine writing
before she ceased.
The waiter brought in savory crab
meat connection and set it before
Martha and so delicious was its flavor
that plots and the writing of plots
were entirely forgotten.
Martha never fingered over meals,
because she seldom had any time to
spare. Consequently, she ate quickly,
paid the waiter hurriedly and went
swiftly out of the restaurant and
along Broadway.
The rather serious-looking young
man who took the chair vacated by
Martha was Interested sufficiently in
his menu card to glance at both front
and back of it. On the front he saw
names of dainty edibles from which
he made selection and on the back
| he found Martha's hurriedly written
plot for a story.
This is more than L prayed for"
murmured the young man, and pro-
ceeded to read all that he could of
Martha's almost illegible writing; "a
story to read and a good lunch all for
| 40 cents
| He had scarcely finished the story
and decided that it wasn't bad, but it
could be wonderfully improved, when
| a stormy-eyed girl came into the res
taurant and stood beside him. Look
ing, up, John Durant questioned with
his eyes.
May 1 please have the menu card
you Just put in your pocket?" Martha
demanded. Il left here but a moment
ago"
| sit down." suggested Durant and
stood up as if welcoming a friend.
He saw a gathering cloud on Martha's
face and added swiftly, Don't make a
scene-I hate scenes and besides L
want to talk 10 you about the story
II 1t really belongs to you" Durant
felt that he might anger her suffi-
| GENTLY to make her forget convention.
His theory proved correct. Martha sat
down angrily opposite him after a
quick glance at the approaching
| waiter
Il could never come in here again
for my lunch if L made a scene" she
| argued to herself, land they do make
| such excellent salads" She glanced
rying off the situation with such cool
Ideliberation and color crept into her
cheeks.
! NOW if we try to look pleasant and
! like old friends" said Durant, "our
waiter won't think we are quarreling
/ horribly. 1 hate to quarrel"
! Martha summoned a smile. 1t was
not difficult.
Yes, thank you,'' she said in an
swer to his request that she join him
in a cup of coffee.
| Now" Durant said, when he had
Martha comfortably established be-
mind the coffee and a small sherbet,
81 want to tell you that while the
story written on this menu is rather
well conceived I can give you far bet
ceeded to outline the story, but
brought a wonderful climax into it
that quite astonished Martha.
| "Oh!- That is heaps better she
exclaimed enthusiastically and sent
brilliant glance straight into Durant's
eyes.
Rather good assented DurAnt.
| thinking of the eyes. Now if you
write that story as 1 have outlined it
and send it to the Sunlight Magazine
1 feel reasonably sure that you will get
nice check in return. 1t looks to me
as if that story is just in their line
Martha was delighted.
'-It is very good of you to suggest the
Sunlight 1 hadn't quite hoped to
land a story there. Do you know who
| the editor is?"
| His name is" Durant pondered
moment, "Durant. John Durant.
Send it to him personally. You'll get
better attention"
Martha had arisen and her hand was
extended to him. IF 1 sell the story 1
should like to know my collabora tors
name" she said
Durant smiled and shook his head.
IT prefer my name to remain a Sc
| cret You might be tempted to hurI
me into the limelight of fame along
with yourself. 1 will watch the Sun
| light Magazine, however, and take
great interest in seeing the story
| there. He dismissed Martha with
slight inclination of the head.
Martha was torn between pique and
| citation over the story She VENT di-
rectly to her studio and worked the
rest of the day. She was inspired.
When the story was finished Martha
was pleased with the result, but as
was her custom, she laid it aside for
a fortnight. At the end of that time
| she reread and polished it, made an
extra copy and sent it to the editor
of Sunlight
| Another ten days passed before Mar
tina heard from her story. Then she
received a note saying the editor want
| ed to speak with her about a few
changes in the story, and she went
to the office Of the Sunlight Maya
zine"
| John Durant arose from the editor
| ial chair to greet her. Martha was
so taken aback when she recognized
the young man of the restaurant that
| quick color sprang into her cheeks.
"Ohi' she exclaimed. so you are
John Durant!' She felt intensely fool
| ish after that remark, and found her
self smiling as if to an old friend.
| L. cred a herself heir,cr