The Columbus courier. [volume] (Columbus, Luna County, N.M.) 1911-1920, 1917-06-08
MARTHA'S MENU
ay poRoTHY pouoLAa

nhAhhA W. wv hNNaNNnA uhNthN
luncheon when n plot registered Itself
In her conscious mind. Il was not m
extraordinarily good plot. yet. since
ehc had 70 many stories to write. each
n was worth remembering for ~.
tnre use.
II was seldom that Martha found
herself without her notebook.
However Martha soon supplied her
lack by asking for n pencil from the
walter aud by making use Of the monu
card.
The walter brought In a snvory crab
meat connection and set Il before
Martha aud 40 delicious was lts favor
TINT plots and the writing Of plots were
entirely forgotten. she ate quickly.
paid the waiter hurriedly and went
swiftly out Of the restaurant aud along
Broadway.
The rather serious looking ynung
mat who took the chair vacated by
Martha was interested sufficiently m
his menu card to glance NJ both front
and back 81 IL. on the front he saw
names Of dainty edlbles from which
he made n selection and on the bnck
be found Martha's hurricdly written
plot for n story.
This Il more than I prayed FOR"
murmured the young man, and pro-
cecdcd TO read MI that he could NJ
Mnrtha's almost Illegible writing; ~
stury to read and a good lunch all for
forty cents"
He Ind scarcely finished the story
md decided that n wasn't bad, hut II
could be wonderfully improved. when
n stormy-cyed rirl came into the res.
tnurnnt and stood beside him. LOOK.
ing NJ. John Durnnt questioned with
his 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 purant and
stood M ns II welcoming a friend. ~
want 10 talk to you about the story
n II really belongs 70 you"
"Yes, thank you" she said In an
swer to his request that she Join him
In a cup Of coffee.
"Now." Durnnt said. when he had
Martha comfortably established behind
the coffee and n small sherhet, ~
want 10 tell you that while the story
written on this menu IA rather well con
criycd ! cun give you for better mate
rial for the ending He proceeded tn
outline the story. but brought n won
dcrful climax into II that quite aston
lEhcd Martha,
"Ohl That IL heaps better" she or.
claimed enthusiastically.
Rather good assented Durant,
thinking N the eyes. "Now n you
write that story ~ I have outlined "
and send n 20 the Sunlight MagaEln"
I feel reasonably sure that you viii
get a nice check In return. II looks 10
me a. II that story Il iust In their
Tine
ut n very good NJ you 10 suggest the
Sunlight ! hadn't quite hoped 20 land
4 story there. DO you know who the
editor lsf'
His name S. Durant pondCred
q moment "Duunt. John Durani
Send Il To him personally Youn get
better attention"
Martha Ind arisen and her hand was
extended to him. III I sell the story I
should like 10 know my collnborator's
name" she said.
~ prefer my mime 10 remain n 80
cret. You might be tempted 10 hurl
me into the llmelirht Of fame along
with yourself. / will watch the sun.
light Magazine, however, md take
great interest IN seeing the story
there" He dismissed Martha with a
slight inclination Of the head.
Martha was torn between plque and
citation over the story. She went IL.
rectly 10 her studio and worked the
rest Of the day. When the story was
finished Martha rerend and polished
II. made an extra copy and sent n to
the editor ~ Sunlight.
Ten days passed before Martha
heard from her story. Then she re-,
cclycd n note saying the editor wanted
10 spenk with her nbout a few chnnges
IN the story, and -ho went 70 the once
~ the Sunlight Nagaziha.
John Durnnt arose from the editorial
chair 20 greet her Martha was 10 TAX
en ahark when she recognized tho
Young nan ~ the restaurant that n
quick color sprang into her checks.
oh shs exclaimed. $50 YOU nrs
John DurBnt"' She felt Intensely fool
lsh after that remurk,
II knew 7 would meet ron sooner or
later" said purnnt. with deliberate
meaning behind his serious ewes. Tint
wns my rehson Tor Withholding nv
name from YOU" Ne looked long and
frankly into Martha's eyes. And nov
for business he said with = smile that
'ho found delightful This story II
t"rth twn hundred dollars n me. n
pu Hre Hiuina 10 make seine slight
changes, Are youT'
Indeed, 7 am" she said brightly.
he went over tho story With her.
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