The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1926-12-09
1.-TWO of U.s." She
Signed
BY DOROTHY DOUGLAS

bungalow we looked at in
Glen Cove, LIN strong for taking 1t.
You know, you need some real coun-
try air to sleep in since you're in a
stuffy office all day"
But Polly, there will be lots more
housekeeping and work for you in d
place like that than in our tiny apart
ment."
Il should just love it. And even If
lot Of the furniture Is moth-eaten
we can soon brighten it up. And
do think it's bargain"
Its very good way Of spending
the small amount of money we have
and we will at least haye home
of our own" the elder sister said
happily. and Rugged little Polly
You're duck to take such good
care Of your big sister,
So they signed the deeds and be-
came the owners Of a truly charming
little bungalow Of timber and stucco
with its furniture thrown in. There
was one big airy living room, a nice
bedroom, a tiny kitchen and bath.
When Polly and Elsie stepped over
the threshold with their few personal
belongings and stood in the bungalow
that was really their own. they almost
wept on each others necks, so glad
were they to have home to do exact
ly as they liked with and make coy.
When Polly had decided that the
rug in the bedroom should come up
and be well beaten, she got down on
her knees with her tools to pull out
the tacks and discovered heaps of
manuscript used as padding.
Polly had queer feeling of some
thing big happening in her house
wifely day. For on the manuscripts,
so as not to be overlooked, the writer
had scrubbed, These stories are the
property of whoever buys the bunga-
low. They're welcome. I've shOpped
them all over the country and, as you
see, there are hundreds of printed re-
turn slips to help pad out the old
rug, Jerry Westlake."
Polly burst out laughing, but a
sharp little twinge of pity also
gripped her heart Jerry Westlake
was the man from whom they had
got the house, but they had not come
in personal contact with him, the
transaction being entirely through an
agent.
The brainy side of Polly getting
temporary mastery over the domestic,
she stayed on the floor and read any
number of the short stories. If they
had been complete pitfle Polly would
not have wasted her time on them, but
they were not The plots were fine,
the writing poor and the characters
badly drawn. 1t was no wonder the
editors had been unable to use them.
Polly worked hard. During the
long days alone in the bungalow she
had plenty of time for concentration,
and while her first effort did not meet
with acceptance, her second did. 1t
was comparatively easy after that.
Polly might never have developed
writing ability had she not penetrated
Immediately into the heart of Jerry's
very fine plots. They had stirred her
imagination and her brain.
She signed the stories 1.-Two Of Us,
and it was not until the first one was
published that she told Elsie all about
it. Then Polly wrote letter to Jerry
Westlake and wrapped magazine
with the story to post to him.
Dear Mr.. Westlake," wrote Polly,
IF you have any more plots as good
as the ones under the rug, please
send them along by first mail. Sew
eral of the ones found have been ac
copied and I send along the first pub
lished as well as half the check. |
could not possibly have written stories
without the exciting plots, and hope
you will continue collaborating with
me-" The letter was signed 1.-Two of
Us, this half being Polly Palmer"
Next day Polly answered a ring
at the door.
The man on the step grinned. I'm
the other half, Jerry Westlake."
oh" exclaimed Polly, how love-
ly." And as they two shook hands
Polly ushered him into the bungalow
that for so long had been his own
home.
what difference womans taste
makes" said Jerry and not without
a shade of longing. But what
peach you are with stories. l never
thought of my old plot as working out
so thrillingly. I've got heaps more
jotted down."
IF we start talking plots now"
laughed Polly, strangely very happy.
Il won't have the supper ready for
Sis, so I'll just set the table for three
you will stay, won't your"
II certainly WILL" said Jerry and
they progressed so swiftly into the
heart of harmony that when Elsie ar
rived home she found a strange man
in the kitchen with Polly and round
his big frame was an apron. He was
very intent on making popovers while
Polly, flushed and bright eyed, sim
mered IA chicken and prepared a
dainty salad for three.
Dolly flew into Elsies arms with
breathlessness that told Elsie
much more than words could have
done, and she smiled happily. All of
sudden she knew that Polly had