Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1921-10-27
Chivalry Among
Writers
g. 1921. western Newspaper Unlon.)
By MURIEL BLAIR

Miss Ainslee,' spoke the stenog-
rapher OF the editor. coming into the
anteroom where two persons sat-
One OF them, the lady, arose. The
other, young man who had been ST.
lently, speculatively observing her.
saw her lip culver as the messenger
from the sanctum beyond handed her
roll which Ronald Dawson well
knew to be manuscript-rejected man
inscription he could read the blight
ed hope, the sinking soul in the SEN
sitive, delicate face of its recipient.
Then his mind reverted to his own
affairs, as in few moments his turn
came. The messenger approached
Dawson. 1t was to say:
No specials this week, MIR. Daw-
son."
The young man started to leave the
room, when his foot struck some small
object and pushed 1t along the floor
in front of MIN. Dawson picked it up,
to find it to be small netted purse.
He opened the purse. 1t contained
few pieces of silver, scrap of pa
per and a folded card. An expression
of real pain darkened his brow as he
unfolded the paper. 1t was a pawn
ticket. The card was enlightening
1t told him that Miss Ainsee was
Margaret" and gave her address.
The girls face was gloomy, almost
tragic, when she appeared at the door
of her room in a poor boarding house
in response to Mr.. Dawsons knock,
an hour later She stood aside in a
somewhat confused way, and he en-
tered the room.
after you had left the editors of
fee" he said, extending the little
purse, 81 found this
"Oh, thank you," responded Miss
Ainslee, although it is of little value
to give you all this trouble VIII you
be seated?'
Then a smile crossed his face.
There is not another word for me
to say, and no excuse in the world for
me TO linger," he said in his quaint,
impetuous way. yet | feel as if we
need TO say something to one another.
am sure it is because We are both,
what shall | say-writers? Further
than that, it is because we are both
discouraged?
"Oh, never thatr' declared Marga-
ret Ainslee, frightening up. ''Of
course 1t Is uphill work, but it may
not be always so. l have some en-
enlargement. | have some hopes of
steady employment. If 1 could get
some series or department work, /
could fill in occasional sketches and
make quite modest competence"
Dawson told her of the wants of va
rious publications as he had gathered
them. There was an especial demand
for Turkish and Mexican sketches just
now. AT the end of an hours chat he
left.
Dawson did not see his little friend
during the next month. One day he
received a letter from local maya
zine, asking him to call.
You are Mr.. Dawson the writer of
this series of stories based on the
Mexican revolution?" questioned the
editor, moving heap of manuscript.
Dawson bowed assentingly His
heart beat high with hope. 1t was
not to be daunted this time, 1t seemed,
for the man of fate added:
"We are very much pleased with
them, and have concluded to accept
them. The number is just right. We
will make it fifty dollars apiece"
Fifty dollars apiece-$60O in all!
Dawson's head swami.
"Your manuscript arrived just in
time" went on the editor. 1--WE had
another series offered las ,from-let
me see" and its speaker examined an
other roll of manuscript. "Ah, yes;
a Miss Margare, Ainslee. Her stories
are exquisite little gems. but yours
are somewhat stronger in masculine
color, and"
The editor paused. staring In some
wonderment at Dawson.
81 am sorry" he said, simply, "but
have decided to use the sketches else
where"
After that, when the old dreams of
fame and fortune came to Dawson, he
would close his eyes and fancy
bright, happy face glowing over first
substantial check from a publisher.
One afternoon he was on his way
home when breathless voice calling
his name halted him. He turned TO
face Margaret Ainslee, radiant in new
attire. her beautiful face aglow with
contentment and peace.
IL have run a whole block to over
take you" she said. "You are 10 turn
right around and go with me-" and
there was ring of JOY mingled with
tears In her dear voice.
II am 10 go with you-where?r