The Monticellonian., 1918-03-15
The Review of Odds and Ends |
 By VINCENT G. PERRY
Copyright, 1918. by the Mcclure Newspa-
 per Syndicate.)

NSSSSssSss$$sSS$SSS Copyright. 1s1s by the Mcclure Newspa-
 per Syndicate.)
 i As he jerked the copy from his type writer, Brandon Houston jumped to his feet with an exclamation of relief. He had finished his Weekly Review of New Books" and 1t was ready for the composing room. Never before had the work seemed so tedious as 1t had that week. The reading had all been heavy and even 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 q lot of books he had there and not one of them had cost him cent-in fact he drew a salary for reading them. As the others he looked at the title and gave q gasp of annoyance. Somehow that was one he had overlooked and 1t was necessary to write review of 1t before the days work was completed.
 "Oh, I can slip it in among the re- views next week l' he exclaimed, as he opened the cover to take q peep inside, but the first thing that faced him was a note from the editor, pinned 10 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 guerite. 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 him-it was her first book, no doubt, but that didn't soften his heart. The publishers were well known, but they had published failures before. 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 a 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 1t with the rest of the reviews and sent 1t down to tbe 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 little discourage ment would merely stimulate 1t, 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 panted 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 typing and there was 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 Hike lightning. i've just got back from a vacation. If l 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 I would have been able to get this in for the morn- | ing, but it will have to go over now"
 Without a word of complaint Bran don sat down and watched her admir- ingly. He knew what 1t was to work overtime himself.
 There, I'm through" Marguerite rose with triumphant smile and gathered up her copy. I've written three times as much as 1 should have, but the convention is worth it." Tt is too late to go any place now" Brandon smiled good-naturedly.
 wen go home then and I'll make "a little supper for us. I made some mullins this morning and l have some fresh ground coffee. You know the kind of coffee l 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.
 It was cozy little supper they sat down to that night in her cheery room and they both were hungry enough to do it justice.
 Wont it be lovely when we can have supper together every night?' Brandon ventured as he deyoured the last muffin.
 .'Yes, when we do," she answered, vaguely.
 
 How They Do 1t.