Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1918-05-23
The Review of
Odds and Ends
By VINCENT G. PERRY


AS he ierked the copy from his type
writer, Grandon Houston jumped to
his feet with an exclamation Of relief.
He had finished his weekly Review
of New Books" and it was ready for
the composing room. Never before
had the work seemed so tedious as it
had that week. The reading had all
been heavy and even a reviewer OF
books gets tired of heavy reading
sometimes. But the books were valu-
able ones and he gathered them up to
place them in his bookcase. What
lot Of books he had there and not one
Of them had cost him cent---ln fact,
he drew q salary for reading them. AS
he put the last book in place among
the others he looked at the title and
gave gasp Of annoyance. Somehow
that was one he had overlooked and it
was necessary to write review OF it
before the days work was completed.
"Oh, I can slip it in among the re-
views next week." he exclaimed, as
he opened the cover to take q peep
inside, but the first thing that faced
him was q note from the editor, pint
to the title page, requesting review
for that week. He took out his watch
as he sat down at his desk again
it just lacked thirty minutes Of the
time he had arranged to meet Mar
iguerite Could he review the book in
thirty minutes? He looked it over and
decided that he could.
To begin with, the title, "Odds and
Ends" did not impress him very much.
The authOress, Winifred Shelton, was
unknown to hint was her first book,
no doubt, but that didn't soften his
heart. The publishers were well
known, but they had published failures
ibefore. He skinned over the pages,
drinking in snatches Of the plot as he
went. He had passed his decision be-
fore he was half through, but there
was nothing for it but to read to the
end. AS he closed the book he looked
at his watch. twenty-five minutes of
the time had passed and it would take
him the other five to write the review.
If he hurried perhaps he could do it in
less time than that he thought, as he
!pushed some paper into his machine.
adverse criticisms always took less
time to write than favorable ones and
more could be said in few words of
sarcasm than in many Of praise. He
did not write enough about "OddS and
ENDS" to make it necessary to re-read
his copy, SO when he finished he put
lit with fhe rest of the reviews and
Sent it down to the composing room.
The thought that what he had written
would bring pain to the new writer did
enter his head, but he laughed it aside.
If she had talent a little discourage
Iment would merely stimulate it, and if
she hadn't then she would get discour-
agement sooner or later anyway, he
reasoned.
After climbing up three flights of
stairs, hurrying to arrive as near the
appointed time as possible, Brandon
painted his way into the reportorial
room of the Daily Star. Thank good.
ness, Marguerite had waited for him
One look at her, though, told him his
hurry had been unnecessary. She was
busily tipping and there was a stack of
notes before her that looked like an
all-night's job.
I'm sorry, but you'll have to wait"
she explained as her fingers moved
like lightning. give just got back from
a vacation. If | leave my story to
write until the morning I'll have to
neglect my page and | wouldn't do that
for anything. If the convention had
closed an hour sooner | would have
been able TO get this in for the morn
ing, but it will have to go over now"
Without word of complaint Bran
don sat down and watched her admir-
ingly. He knew what it was to work
overtime himself.
There, I'm through" Marguerite
rose with a triumphant smile and
gathered up her copy. 1--WE written
three times as much as should have,
but the convention is worth it."
ut is too late to go any place now"
Brandon smiled good-naturedly.
>sWe'l go home then and I'll make
n little supper for us. | made some
mullins this morning and | have some
fresh ground coffee. You know the
kind of coffee can make"
Don't say another word. I'll cave
in with hunger before we get there if
you do" he warned.
You'll probably die of indigestion
when we do get there" she laughed, as
she took her coat and turban from her
locker and prepared TO leave.
1t was a coy little supper they sat
down to that night in her CHEEKY room
and they both were hungry enough to
do it justice.
''Won't it be lovely when we can
have supper together every night?"
Brandon ventured as he devoured the
last muffin.
"Yes, when we do,'' she answered,
vaguely.
.'Why do you talk as if it were so
far away?" he asked, without his usual |