The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-05-13
Epening Story
A Mental Transformation.
BY LILLIAN HALL CROWLEY

BY LILLIAN HALL CROWLEY.
Maize put the manuscript in her
bag and started for the subway. She
was very happy young woman this
pleasant March morning, for her hopes
seemed well on the way to realization.
She had been studying and working
hard on her music during the past
winter in New York. She had the
creative faculty and had been en-
couraged by teachers and friends to
try and publish her compositions
She had at last finished some of the
manuscripts and was on her way down
town to see a publisher.
Smiling and lighthearted she was
ushered into the office where sat the
great man whose dictum either made
! or did not make the would-be artist.
rs this Mr.. Granville ="
''Uh-huhl"
He was a rather large man whose
sedentary life had brought about
loose look to his figure He wore
introduced herself. A grunt emanated
from his tightly closed lips-if man
of Importance would do such thing
as grunt. Maize stated her business
He did not ask her to sit down and
she began to feel indignant.
I'VE have lots of this kind of stuff"
He fingered tn manuscript disdain-
fully. 81 don't suppose this is any
better than most others that come in
here"
But you haven't looked at it,
az can imagine what it is he
growled: without looking at her
BY this time Maize was very angry.
She did not expect to be received by
man of business as if she were in his
dressing room, but she had not count
ed on this
mfr. Granville. this is business
house. is it~not? ?"
Certainly" he answered in sur
prise.
Wei, then, | am submitting this
music TO you as q business proposi-
ton. That is for what this business
is organized You do not know
because you haven't looked at 1t. If It
is what you want, you have value re-
ceived and you are not doing me a
favor. / should think that courtesy
would cost you nothing, either in time
or money. You think because You are
old it is your prerosative to be rude.
Good day."
She took the manuscript from the
desk and started for the elevator.
Just a moment, Miss Jones'" He
arose from his chair. "If you will
leave the music and your address with
me. will look over it,
Very well.' The address is en-
closed" Maize haughtily handed him
the manuscript and walked out of the
room without further look.
The city was suddenly thrust in the
throes of a heavy snow storm, and
when the first thaw came the streets
were a mass of slush and water.
Maize, altho a very pretty girl, knew
that her chief beauty was her slender
feet Having a natural pride in Their
beauty, Maize always wore the loveliest
of lovely shoes; but on this particular
day, when she had a number of err
rands which required walking, she put
on her oldest and ugliest shoes and
over them a hideous pair of storm rub
bers. Returning at dusk. and when
she was a block from her boarding
place. her feet slipped out from under
her and she fell to a sitting position
on the sidewalk. with both muddy ruo =
bers sticking up as much as to say.
Look at me-
And looked at they were by a ma I
coming around the corner Fer a
moment he was surprised at the sud
denness of the affair-then. looking
from ugly rubbers to the face of the
fallen one, he exclaimed:
"Why--why, Mss Jones.''
Maize, Inundated to find herself in
such a miserable plight. could only
gasp: "Why-why, Mr.. Granville
Permit me to assist YOU" He
helped the forIorn girl to her feet and
offering his arm, which she reluctantly
took, he escorted her to her door. He
was most solicitous about her accident
but Maize assured him that she was
not hurt at all and thanked him coldly
for his assistance. He raised his hat
as she went in the door.
Maize was furious with herself
ITO think of how dignified thought
I was that day I snubbed him, and
then. of all men in New York, he
should find me sitting in front of him