The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-09-06
Eoening Story
A Career and a Name.
By H. OXLEY STENGEI

Baltimore, Chicago, st. Louis,
Paris, Sacramento. New York, New
York. New York, Charleston, Charles
ton," mumured Elizabeth, as she
quickly turned over the neat pile of
letters and glanced at the postmark
or handwriting on each. With deep
sigh she spread her snowy napkin and
began on her grapefruit.
It distinctly annoyed Elizabeth to
realize that she had expected a post
mark and handwriting which were not
represented in the mornings mail
that she had been expecting a certain
letter for a month.
But it would be the least he could
do to write note" she defended,
and he must know about
Good morning. Miss Elizabeth"
Martha's silent entrance thru the
by the girl. She glanced up quickly.
The face Of the woman told her moth
ing.
'Good morning, Martha. My. how
good your waffles lcok." and Eliza
beth managed a bright smile.
But she didn't eat 'em like they
was any better than ordinary cooks
bake an she never read a single one
of the letters-not even Mr.. Jacks
unused 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 to
New York an this here apartment
that don't give breathing space and
could be set down an lost in the old
mansion in Charleston. But who was
it didn't write her? verybody must
LVnru-ord IN fpl- 90 he ~
Settled in her study, Elizabeth reso-
lutely tore open her mail as a duty
which must be performed before she
turned to the days program of work.
Freedom" her first book, had been
out but a short time and relatives and
friends-as well as publishers-were
congratulating her upon it's instant
success. All extcept Tom Harrison.
Oh, well, one couldn't expect every
thing in this life! But why was there
no thrill? She had hoped the book
would be popular and had counted
upon these very letters as proof that
she had not made a mistake in choos-
ing career and New York for its
setting.
When left alone by the sudden
death of her father-so soon after
that of her invalid mother, Elizabeth
had wanted to get away from the ter
rible loneliness. There had been much
opposition to her plans upon the part
of relatives and friends-again with
one exception. Tom Harrison had
lief in her had encouraged Elizabeth
against every encouragement mere
! editors could inflict. And now the lat
ter were seeking her stories.
She read her cousin Jacks letter
last. 1t was brief and meant to re-
mind her that she had promised to
dine with him on Thursday and go to
| the theater later. He would congratu-
| late the successful author in person.
He would arrive from Baltimore at 5
and come right out.
Elizabeth glanced at her calendar.
Today was Thursday. She must settle
down to work at once upon the serial
promised this week.
| Five o'clock found her still labor
! ing. Martha had brought in luncheon
on a tray and had fretted and fumed
over "her child losing all her good
looks sitting over a desk" As in a
| dream. Elizabeth heard the ring at the
door and a familiar voice-but 1t was
not until she was confronted by Jack
himself, that she remembered he was
| due.
"A fine day to keep an engagement
Pardon the interruption-but hasn't a
fellow a right to intrude upon time
promised to him?''
| "Oh, Jack, how glad L am to see
you'll I had no idea of the time
truly. And this is just finished"
Elizabeth sprang up to greet him.
"I suppose a fellow should count
himself lucky to get any time with a
popular young author"
mot every one does" Elizabeth re-
torted rather vehemently.
And so some chap doesn't know
when he is lucky?"
Don't Jack, please! Amuse your
self and I'll be ready shortly"
/ Jack amused" himself by going out
to the kitchen and inquiring of Martha
regarding the care Elizabeth was TAX
ing of herself.
mo care at all, Mr.. Jack. She don't
! even eati Works too hard an some
things worrying her"
/ When Elizabeth entered the book
lined living room Jack, observing her
worn look, exclaimed: at isn't worth
it, Puss, not even for fame. Come on
and play with me. I've something to
| tell you, too"
They chose small but gay restau-
rant.
elizabeth" said Jack, when they
were slipping their coffee 81 know
you can tell a love story better than
! l, but 1 think mine will interest you.
I wanted this chance to tell you "
Elizabeth looked startled and then
greatly relieved as he went on.
Lucy is just a dear little girl-not
gifted like you, Puss, but she has made
me the happiest man alive"
1t was not until they were on their
1 way home in a taxi after the play that
Elizabeth asked in a voice which she
tried to make sound casual, do you
often see or hear from Tom Harrison,
Jack?"
YES. indeed. I go by to see him