The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1917-01-06


He drew his reluctant wife away
from her dreamy contemplation of the |
nuch-dpsired white cottage, and chat /
ted about one hundred and ore trivial |
things until they reached their apart !
ment. In the mail box, he found thick
envelope.
what is it," Mrs Jack spoke with |
out enthusiasm. She had seen similar
missives before.
1.-THE Final Payment has come
back.' he announced. III send it out
again tonight"
Il wouldn't if I were you" She
spoke with a touch of sarcasm. Its
only waste of postage"
Mr. Jack wisely refraincd from re-
plying, but made his way to the den,
where he idly picked up a current
magazine. On the title page. the IN
nouncenent Of Il prize short-story con
test stared at him.
One thousand dollars" he read
'will be given for the best short story
submitted"
Without saying a word to anyone, he
inserted 'The Final Payment in an
envelope and sent it to the magazine
conducting the contest. Then he await
ed results. :
Meanwhile he maintained a discreet
silence He applied himself industri-
ously to his law business, and managed
10 secure one or two big cases. which
promised to turn out extremely Wen.
Il told you that You were never
meant for writer" Mrs. Jack remind
ed him one evening, about two months
after his prize story had been submit.
ted. Look at the way you are pro
crossing. We ought to save Il thousand
dollars easily within the next two
years. If You had kept on trying to
write, we'd be worse off than ever"
Mr.. Jack smiled, and went on his
way. Then. one afternoon. his office
mail brought an envelope slammed
with the name of certain magazine
1t wasn't "a long, thick envelope. but q
short, thin, oae, and it contained some
thing which made his heart beat furi-
ously
That night, at the supper table. he
preached the subject to his wife.
DO You remember that Final PAY
/ meRt' story" he asked.
Eyes" She showed little interest.
well, I sent it 10 a-magazine about
two months ago"
You diQc1
YES, and heard from them today"
They Kept it a little longer than
/ usual She changed the subject. Il
went by the house this afternoon"
! Mr.. Jack frowned. 1t seemed to him
4 that his wife still had little faith in
his literary powers. Which was true.
'And someone was looking at it
/ Mrs. Jack continued Il went To the
agent and he said he had a fine chance
/ to sell it."
We'll" Mr.. Jack arose from the
table. Il think I'll 20 down to the club
/ Tor while. I'll be back before nine"
In an hour or SO he returned, smiling
/ broadly.
When he came home the next eve
ming, Mrs. Jack met him With tear.
I dimmed eyes.
oh, Jack" she cried, "the little
house is sold"
'Uho bought it," There was a hanny
light in his eyes.
The agent wouldn't tell me. But
Ike person deposited the money las
night and now we've lost it for good.
We'll. that's too bad" He was an
parently Indifferent. I'm going tc
write some more tonight"
ooh :" She turned away angrilv. g
hate your old writings. If you had mt
tended to your business, we could have
lad enough money to buy the hous,
ourselves"
I'm sorry dear" Touched by til,
Keen disappointment in her voice. l.,
led her To the wicker couch. do yol
know who bought the house?
Il told you l didn't" She was still
angry.
Well" He paused a moment TO
effect at was Mr.. Jack Winter!"
"Whatw She looked at him witt
amazemcnt.
'1.es nc continued, "yostcrday I re
'Stshh Il tllrCN TOR one Thousand G0i
, lars for my story, THE Final Payment.
/ II Vol first prize in the magazine con
: tcst."
They didn't bother about supper tina
evening, hut walked together to the Ift
ne house on the HILL After they Hal
/ explored every nook and corner Il
5 their hearts content, Mrs. Jack turne.
| with henming eyes TO her husband.
] I guess, she admitted slowly. tina
, short story writing does pay, after an.
tCopyl,ght. 1915. hy the Mcclure EeYsDa
per Syndicate)
t If you've a good case, try to CON
e @omise; if you've bad one, take