The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1921-09-24
A Career and a
Name
Ey II. OXLEY STENCIL.

IL.
Baltimore, Chicago. St Louis,
Paris, Sacramento, New York, New
York. New York, Charleston. Charles
ton" murmured Elizabeth, as she
quickly turned over the neat pile OF
letters and glanced at the poStlnarK
o. handwriting on each. With deep
SIGH she spread her snowy napkin ana
Logan on her grapefruit.
II distinctly annoyed Elizabeth TO
realize that she had expected a post
mark and handwriting which we're not
represented in the mornings mall
that she had been expecting Il certain
letter for a month.
"But il would be the least he could
do TO write note" she defended.
sand he must know about
Good morning. Miss Elizabeth"
Martha's silent entrance through the
swinging door had not been observed
by the girl. She glanced up quickly.
The face of the woman told her moth
irg
Good morning. Martha. My. how
good your wafIies look" and Eliza
beth managed bright smile.
But she didn't eat 'em like they
was any better than ordinary COOKS
! bake an she never read single one
Ct the letters-not even Mr.. Jacks"
/ nused Martha when, on returning
later. she first surveyed the plate from
| which only one golden-brOwn waffle
was missing and then the retreating
| figure of the slender girl. "She's just
working too steady In that little
study o. hers turning out stories that
the editor men are that eager to get
now. Old Martha sure is proud of
her child If we did have to come 10
New York an this here apartment
that don't give breathing space anc
could be set down an lost in the Ole
mansion in Charleston. But who
was il didn't write to her: Everybody
must know-and to think of her caring
So
Settled in her study, Elizabeth reso-
lutely tore open her mail as a duty
which must be performed before she
Freedom" her first book, had been
out but a short time. and relatives
and friends--as well rs publishers
were CONCENTRATING her upon its in
slant success. All except Tom Har-
rison. Oh. well, one couldn't eXpect
everything in this life! But why was
there no thriil?" She had hoped the
took would be popular and had
counted upon these very letters as
proof that she had not made mis-
take in choosing career and New
York for its setting.
Wher left alone by the sudden
death of her father-sO soon aftel
! that of her invalid mother. Elizabeth
J had wanted to get away from the ter
: rihlc loneliness. There had been muci
, opposition to her plans upon the par
Of relatives and friends-again witt
one exception. Tom Hal rison hat
been sure she would succeed. His he
lief in her had encouraged Elizabeth
against every encouragement mer'
editors could inflict. And now tn
latter were seeking her stories.
She read her cousin Jacks lette
last. 1t was brief and meant to re
mind her that she had promised &
dine with him on Thursday and 90 Z
the theater later. He would congratu
late the successful author in person
He would arrive from Baltimore
fivo ana come right out.
eli ot nplpnd0l
Today was Thursday. She must SCI
tie down to work at once upon tn
serial promised this week.
Five o'clock found her still labOrin,
Martha had brought i'm luncheon on
tray and had fretted and fumed owe
"ler child losing all her good look
sitting over desk" AS In a dream
Elizabeth heard the ring at the doc
and familiar vOice-but it was ne
until she was confronted by Jack hin
self. that she remembered he was du
"a fine way to keep an engagement
Pardon the interruptiOn-but hasn't
fellow right to intrude upon tin
promised to himT
20. Jack, how glad am to see you
bad no idea of the time-truly. An
l. this is Just finished" Elizabeth sprar
n up to greet him.
n 81 suppose a fellow should coul
d himself lucky to get any time with
N popular young author"
,r "Not every one does" Elizabeth r
Is tcrted rather vehemently.
,e "And so some chap doesn't knO
D. when he is lucky?"
Don't, Jack, please! Amuse you
In self and I'll be ready shortly"
,e Jack amused" himself by going o
DR. to the kitchen and inquiring Of Martl
DR. regarding the care Elizabeth was Ia
s. Ing of herself.
se "Nc care at all, Mr.. Jack. She dol
id ven eat! Works too hard an SON
at things worrying her"
Ii. WbeI Elizabeth entered the boo
Sc lined living room Jack, observing h
or worn look, exclaimed: ut isn't wOr
he 1t. Fuss, not even for fame. Come