The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1918-06-28
How do you know you'd like it?'
{rio1 ~

1O" uO YOU huO" yOu u hNC AS'
he asked. you've never tried"
mo, 1 never have, but I'll like it,
all right l know l shall. It's what
I've wanted to do ever since 1 was old
enough to think of such things. Just
let me start in now, right away, and
I'll show you. I'll make good, you see
if l don't"
That evening the captain made
definite proposal to Stephen. 1t was
briefly that, while not consenting to
the latter's leaving college, he did con-
slider that a trial of the work in
brokers' office might be a good thing.
Therefore if the young man wished he
could enter the employ of friend of
Sylvester and remain during July and
August.
The novel, the wonderful tale which
Captain Elisha was certain would
make it's author famous, was finished
that very day in June when Stephen
came back from New Haven.
The advance copy, the first one, was
ready early in September, and the au-
thor, of course, brought it Immediately
to his friends. They found the dedica-
ton especially interesting, ITO G. W.
and E. W., consulting specialists at
the literary clinics, with grateful ac-
acknowledgements Probably Captain
Elisha was never prouder Of aE.vthing,
even his first command, than Of that
dedication.
And the story, when at last it appear
ed for sale, was almost from the be-
ginning success, and, most important
of all perhaps, it sold and continued to
SELL There was something in it, its
| humanity, its simplicity, its clearly
marked characters, which made a hit.
Pearson no longer needed to seek pub
fishers; they sought him. His short
stories were bid for by the magazines.
and his prices climbed and climbed.
He found himself suddenly planted in
the middle of the highway to prosper
ity.
The novel being out Of the way and
its successor not yet far enough ad-
yanced in plot or general plan for much
discussion, the "literary clinics" were
no longer as frequent. But Pearson's
visits to the Warren house were not
discontinued. All summer long he had
been coming out once and usually twice
a week. Captain Elisha had told him
not to stand on formality, to come any
time, and he did. On most of these
occasions he found the captain at
home, but if only Caroline was there
he seemed quite contented. The cap
tain was planning glorious Thanks
giving. At least it would be glorious
to him, for he intended spending the
day and several days at his own home
in South Denboro. He would not leave
him. Steve would be there, though he
would not come until Thanksgiving
day itself. Sylvester also would be Of
the party. He seemed delighted at the
opportunity. Pearson was asked and
had accepted. His going was so far a
settled thing that he had commissioned
Captain Elisha to purchase a stateroom
for him on the Fall river boat, for, of
course, the captain would not consider
their travelling the entire distance by
train. A day or two later Pearson an
nounced that he had decided not to
go.
"Hey?" Captain Elisha could scarce
ly believe he had heard correctly. You
can't go-to South Denboro?"
NO"
"Why not, for the land sakes? Come
here Let me look at you"
He took the young man by the arm
and led him, almost by main strength,
close to the lighted window of the sta
ton.
"Humphr' he grunted after a mo-
ment's scrutiny. you've made up
your mind; can see that. Have you
told Caroline? Does she know?"
Pearson smiled, but there was little
mirth in the smile. II think she agrees
with me that it is BEST" he observed.
(TO BE CONTINUED)