The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-08-20
theories. They usually dried out when
tried to run them into the ink we'll. %
Couldn't Change Porter.


There, was no use in trying to. coax
not In the mood, II a thing didn't
catch his interest at once, it never did.
There were no trials over with him.
The slightest detail would sometimes
absorb him and seem to fill him with
inspiration. And again, q drama would
pass before him and he would let IT
seen him cooily ignore Louisa and old
man Garnet often enough. But ! was
Just goaded into persistence.
sally has a fair face like DIANA" ]
When did you meet the goddess, colo.
in Ticking a BIT Of dust nom his sleeve
Convict wool Is shoddy enough, let
alone q convict bundle OF muslin
A few years later ' saw this very
same man 20 into all the honkatonks
OF New York and no woman was too
low to win courtesy from Bill Porter.
have seen him treat the veriest old
bag with the chivalry due a queen. He
had a soul of sterling honor where
women were concerned,
His Indifference to Sally's plight was
singular. II he had seen her and talked
to her I know 1t would have gripped
him to the heart.
Porter saw that I was bitterly wound
ed and in the petting kind Of a way
he had come over to win me back.
Colonel, don't be angry with me-
he said. "You misunderstood me. ]
wasn't thinking much Of Sally tonight.
NY mind was far away" he laughed,
IT was down in Mexico, perhaps. where
that INDECENT. luxurious valley Of yours
is apd where we might have been SO
happy. q
Speech Discloses Grief.
Colonel" Porter's face lighted with
s snmSr0 any e sSsnns = o od',.S you mn snin X w
you paid down on 1t? I'm a little lin
need Of funds"
Not many could resist the winning
magnetism Of Bill Porter II he chose
to make himself agreeable. Az soon as
he had spoken l knew that some Sc
cret grief was tugging at him. Porter
had labored hard over some story--I
think 1t was "A Chapparal Prince"
Billy Raider had sent Il out for him.
It had come back. He TESTED about 1t.
THE average editor" he said. never
knows a f~irecracker until he hears the
can't tell a story until someone else
takes the risk Of setting 1t off"
They're a damn bunch Of isnoram-
usesl' Porter had read the story to
Billy and me and we had sent II off
with singing hearts. We we're sure the
world must acknowledge Porter, even
Gan I'm sorry for is the loss Of the
stamps. Billy was forced to steal from
O e state to mail It with. 1t may dam
age the reputation Of the state board
Of the Ohio p~enitentiary."
But Porter was deeply disappointed,
The rejection OF his manuscripts did not
dull the edge OF his se'f-confidence. but
Il filled him with foreboding as TO his
future.
Il should not like to be a begsar.
colonel" he often said, "and my pen Is
the only investment ! can make, ! am
continually paying assessments on It,
l would like to collect a few dividends"
"The Chapparal Prince paid its divi-
dends later. Porter revamped 1t q bit
here. and there and 1t made a big hit
for him.
I'm tell you why I'm not interested
In Sally" he swung. back to the sub.
ject with a suddenness that startled
me. shes better off here than she
eve could be outside, know this
place Is doom--but what chance has q
girl with Saliy's past in the world3
What are you thinking OF. colonel, when
| be trampled In the gutter7"
Sally said almost the same words to
me when | tried TO get her A pardon
after | was freed. ! went back to the
pen to see her.
"oh, Mr., Jennings" her face had
| grown thin and its transparent white
| ness made her seem a thing OF un-
earthly spirituality. Don't bother
| about about me. TIM lost. You know
Il DO YOU think they would ever let
me crawl back7 You know I'm a bad
woman.
Il had a baby that | didn't have any
right to. Do you think he world We
| forgives such n crime as thats Leave
| me alone here. I'm finished. There's
| no pardon on earth for me
(To Be Continued.l