The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-03-25
NEWS EVENTS AND FEATuRES FOR WOMEN READER

whose head was perched preeariously light gray bowler.
 1.-Two to one on Chickie's what 1 say its dead cert" he was remarking blandly. holding to the younger of the two youths. You -bet-cher-li you'll 1 smash 'fmv' Shirley advanced.
 Could this be Doggie Simpson? The i dizzy headgear, noisy suit and pink
 carnation-withal the beaming, jovial
 countenance of the speaker-somehow seemed to justify the name |" He sprang' to his feet, all courtesy. | Miss Meadow-er-Miss Mere he hastily consulted an open letter in his hand-no. dash it all-Miss Marsh --so awfuly glad to see you," He held
 uot his hand. 'Er-do sit down. With jerk he cleared a chair of
 pile of papers and some boxing gloves. Now. what can l do for you T' IT came''- Shirley was all coR- 1 fusion.
 "-Yes-don't be frightened-though my name is Doggie l won't bitel" He beamed on her encouragingly. want to write" said Shirley des- perately. I've brought a little article to show you, if you'd be so good as to look at it."
 Under the admlring gaze of the pu-
 
 ward.
 Run along. you two chaps-see you later!" said Doggie Simpson, as though divining Shirley's thought. He was a ] kindly youth.
 The two of them were now left tete- a-tete.
 Shirley was fully determined now on
 But how to begini That was the question.
 If you're going to be a writer, Shirley, you must first of all learn how to typewrite," Vivian the prac- ] tical adjured her, for no editor ever bothers to read manuscript that isn't clear and legible." With the free-and easy camaraderie of Chelsea, therefore, Vivian had bor- rowed machine whereon her friend might practice. And all day long the studio re-
 echoed to the jerking of the number keys.
 Shirley was indefatigable. T should think you'd get neuritis of the fingers if you keep the pace,' Viv- ian would say. laughing On the day that she achieved a speed of seventy words a minute-ac- eurately timed by Vivian-she felt her hour had struck. It was a glorious sunny morning. A fresh breeze blew across the river. And as she donned the pretty hat she had discarded during the brief period of mourning, Shirley's spirit rose. "You look too lovely for words, dear!" Vivian gazed with whole hearted admiration at her friend. T should think every editor in the city would welcome you with open arms 1 know I would, if I were mere man. Shirley had laughted outright over the folly of this statement. "As though looks have anything to do with business!" 'Oh, yes, they have--dear little coun- | try cousinl" Vivian nodded sagely. You've lot to learn yet, let me tell you"
 Shirley crossed the floor and lifted some sheets of manuscript from a lit tie table in the corner. She folded them with care, and slipped them sur reptitiously into long enyelope, hop ing Vivian didn't notice. But nothing escaped that lynx-eyed damsel
 "What've you got there. Shirley? Has genius begun to burn? Come on, let's see it. Bet a pail" Miss Shirley blusned.
 Its -it5s just first attempt You'll Rubbish! Let's have lookP 'Its-its just & first atemptl You'll
 think it awfully feeble. Only thought maybe thqee editors'n ask me if I've
 written anything''- Quite right Best be prepared! But first let me pass judgment!"
 There was nothing for it but to pro- duce the manuscript. Shirley-immensely sensitive, like most amateurs-retired to a distant corner of the studio while Vivian read. She appeared to be absorbed in the correct adjustment of her hat before a mirror-but she kept an anxious eye on Vivian the while. On Vivian's frown or smile 1t almost seemed the fate of empires hung. Woman and Freedom" read that young woman briskly, mot a bad tiitle!"
 And silence reigned for a while.
 Vivian looked up at last. She was beaming.
 Its topping. Shirley Awfully forci- b1e and strong! I always knew you were a brainy kid!' Shirley felt gratified. She was only human. And Vivian wasn't easily pleased.