The Taney County republican. (Forsyth, Mo.) 1895-1992, 1918-02-28
CHAPTER XIII.
Boosting Connie.

Connie was past fifteen when she an
nounccd gravely one day "Tve changed
my mind. I'm going to be an author
"An author" scofrcd Carol. "Youl
l thought you were going to get mar.
ricd and have eleven children"
"Oh, I've plenty of time for them yet,
when l find father for them. Yes,
I'm going to be an author"
"Can you write?'
"Of course I can write"
"What makes you think you can
write, CONF" inquired Lark, with genu-
Inc interest.
81 have already done It."
"Was 1t any goOd?'
at was fine"
Carol and Lark smiled at each other.
"Yes," said Carol, "she has the long
haired instinct. l see IT now. They al
ways say IT is fine. Was it n MASTER
piece, COnnic|
"Wcll, considering my youth and in
experience, it was" Connie admitted,
her eyes sparkling appreciatiycly.
Carols wit was no longer lost upon
her at any rate
"Brlng it out. Let's see It. I've
never met masterpiece yet--except a
dead one" said Lark.
"NO--no," Connie backed up quick
ly. "YOu can't see ii, and--don't ask
any more about it. Has father gone
OutW
The twins stared at her again.
"What's the matter with you?'
Nothing, but it's my story and You
can't soc IT, That settles it. Was there
any mail today2'
Afterward the twins talked it over
together.
"What made her back down like
that?" Carol wondered, "Just when
we had her going"
"Why, didn't you catch onto that?
She has sent 1t off to n magazine, Of
course, and she doesn't want us to
know about it. 1 saw through It right
away"
Carol looked at her twin with new
interest. ibid you ever send 'cm OFF,
Lark flushed a little. eyes, / did
and always got 'em back, too--wOrse
luck. That's why gave 1t up"
"What did you do with them when
they came back?'
Burned them. They always burn
them. Connlell get hers back and
she'll burn It, too" was the lacOnlc
answer.
"You wait until she can't eat n meal,
md then you'll know she's got It back.
Many's the time Prudence made me
take medicine, Just because I got
story back. Prudence thought it was
tummyaChc The symptoms are a good
bit the same"
So Carol watched, and sure enough.
there came n day when the bright light
of hope in Comics eyes gave way to
the sober sadness of certainty, Her
light had failed. And she couldn't eat
her dinner.
Lark kicked Carols foot under the
table. and the two exchanged amused
glanCes.
"Connie's not we'll" said Lark with a
worried air. "She isn't eating thing.
You'd better give her n dose Of that
tonic, Aunt Grace
"I'm not sick" the crushed young au-
thor protested. "G'mjust not hungry"
"You can see for Yourself" Insisted
fark. "Look at her. Isn't she sick?
Mnny's the long illness Prudence
STAYED off for me by dose Of this
magic tonic. You'd better make her
take 1t, father. You can see she's
sick"
you'd better take a little, Connie"
her father decided. "YOu don't look
very well today"
And the aspiring young genius was
Obliged 10 swallow the bitter dose.
After the meal was over, Carol shad.
owed Connie closely. Sure enough, she
headed straight for her own room, and
Carol, close outside, heard crump.
ling Of paper. She opened the door
quickly and went in. Connie turned,
startled, n guilty red staining her pale
face. Carol sat down sOclably on the
side Of the bed. politely ignoring Con.
MES feeble attempt to keep the crum-
pied manuscript from her sight. She
engaged her sister in n broad.minded
and sweeping conversation, adroitly
leading It up to the subject of lltera.
ture. But Connie would not be In
veigled into a confession. Then Carol
took a wide leap.
did you get the story backf"
Connie gnzed at her with an awe
that was almost superstltious,
81 sure did" she said.
"Hard luck" said Carol, in matter.
of.fact voice. Lets see IT,"
Connie hesitated, but finally passed
II over.
"Ill take 1t to my own room and read
It. If you don't mind"
More eagerly than che would have