Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1917-03-23
The First
Prize
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By Frances Elizabeth Lanyon
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Copyright, 1917, by w. G. Chapman)


IF only win the first prize!"
Roscoe Merriam paused there, for a
vivid picture filled his mind. His men,
tai vision wove glowing fairy trail
of thOught-travel, a renewed ward
robe. better living quarters and-Shir-
ley.
Prize or no prize as his award might
be. he had one OverpOwering satisfac-
tiOn-though competing for the same,
he had come across Shirley Moore and
that meant delight and longing. and
hope at times only, for he was poor
and obscure and was finding the lit
erary path neither one of roses or re-
ward.
A fraii stipend attended certain
newspaper writing a part of the day.
Roscoe had leisure for real literary
work and had completed a novel. 1t
was the day the last page was written
that he noted an advertisement in a
bookman's magazine. Duryea & Nevis,
publishers, Offered. three prizes for the
three best novels handed in within
ninety days. The first prize was five
thousand dollars. The novel was ready
for immediate delivery. He packed up
his manuscript neatly and went direct
to the Office Of the publishing firm.
Then-Shirley. She was the secre-
tary Of Mr.. Woods. editor of the estab-
lishment. She was, as well, the infor-
nation clerk, when not engaged In
taking dictation. There was something
Of mutual but unspoken exchange Of
soulful sentiment through the inter-
change of glance.
Beyond taking the manuscript, giving
II number and encouragingly compli-
menting Roscoe on having made the
first entry In the competition. the love
ly young secretary had nothing further
to say during later calls of the anx-
ious author, except to express the
hope that he would win the award. The
reading Of the novel rested with Mr..
Woods. she told Roscoe simply. AS to
the later visits of Roscoe they were
purely incidental and resulted from
his CHANGING to come across Miss
Moore In restaurant. She nodded and
smiled and even moved her chair at
the table. tactfully inviting his COM
pany.
He was, indeed, nothing loath, and
she showed that she liked this manly
young fellow. He dropped In at the pub
fishing Office one day as If quite casual
ly. The acluaintanceship ripened. He
invited her to the theater on the
strength Of free passes. The friendship
grew and there was a mutual pleasure
experienced In discussing the past,
their hopes and their future.
Roscoe called upon her one evening
and found her more CHEEKY and sympa-
thetic than ever. She had some news
for him. she said, but OIL he must
guard intelligence as strictly conf
Dental.
Mr.. Woods is very much. taken with
your story" she dubbed over and the
glad news nearly took his breath away.
II am 50 glad" he voiced and the
lure of that first prize dazzled as in
fancy it dangled enticingly before his
eyes.
"Yes." pursued Shirley intimately, IL
overheard him discussing 1t with Mr..
Duryea. He said that your story was
the most attractive yet presented. Oh,
1 do so hope your good fortune will
come to your"
"And II 1t does" reflected Roscoe "a
he walked home on air, you, my sweet
little wild rose. shall share 1t with me,
II you will !"
Then came dark days. Roscoe lost
his insecure position with the news
paper. He found other work, which
was Of the cheapest hack-writing char
acter and barely provided for food and
his room rent. He kept away from
Shirley now, for his overcOat had
grown shabby and he could not afford
to take her to the entertainments they
formerly had shared.
She met him turning q street corner
one morning. Her color came and
went rapidly. Her hand pressure
thrilled him, for it was fervent and
genuine.
II do not see much Of you these
days, Mr.. Merriam" she observed.
Il am dreadfully busy" averred Ros-
coe with an airiness poorly affected.
my work is constant, combining and
poorly paid. But oh! the better times
when win that first prize!"
She detected the false ring in his
tones. She pressed him to call at the
Office when he passed and she choked
down q dreary little sob as she parted
with him, for In a flash in her plying,
womanly way she read the truth
pride, poverty and struggle.
She had found so much to respect
and admire In the man-reverence,
genius. He was true and good, with
noble aspirations. Some Of the lofty
thoughts he had enunciated during the
brief companionship had Influenced and
elevated her simple life Of toll. She
knew in her secret heart that she loved
him. And he, amidst the desolation Of
unworthy literary endeavor his spirits
had gone down below freezing point
and Shirley seemed as remote from
him and unattainable as the stars.
There was break in the cheap star
walton price. work Roscoe was doing.
His finances were at their lowest ebb.
He was nearly ready to abandon the
unequal struggle in despair as he sat
In his room one evening. with chilled
fingers penciling the completion of a
cheap writeup. His coat was thrown