The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1932-01-01
Found the Natural
Way Out
By DOROTHY DOUGLAS
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&c by Mcclure Newspaper syndicate.l
(WNU Service)

DeIore the end or the week, or nave
the wrath Of the big editor down or
her fair head, was going along
smoothly and excitingly and Mary had
great hopes for it.
AS matter of fact, she hoped it
would prove one of her best. She
had signed contract to give all her
stories to one very large publisher,
and she wanted to produce only her
best, since they appreciated her sto-
ries to such an extent as to sign her
away from all other publishers.
So Mary nibbled away most of her
pencil in her effort.
The telephone rang at her side.
"Drat !" said Mary, startled out of her
splendid trend of thought. "Hello!"
Il say, Miss Marden, did you or did
you not sign a contract with me to
sell stories only to me?" The voice
of the great editor was full OF wrath.
''Unless we are both out Of our
senses, most certainly did," said
Mary.
"Then what do you mean by giving
one of the best you've ever done to
Ladies' Review"
''But l didn't!' expostulated Mary.
81 never sold story to tnar magazine
in all my life"
swell, there's one in today's issue
signed Mary Marden. Better come
along and have a chat about it. It's
called THE ROgue' and"
81 didn't write tits not my
story" almost shouted Mary, land
We'll just see who's using my name"
After an interview with her publish
er Mary went forthwith to the editori-
al office of the Ladies' Review and Of
the editor-in-chief demanded knowl-
edge of the person who was writing
under her own name.
1--WE have not met the young lady
personally" said the editor, "but-as
a matter of fact, Miss Marden, one
cannot put a copyright on name
perhaps the young lady also bears
that title lawfully. Perhaps the best
thing to do would be to write letter,
which we will be glad to forward, and
arrange a meeting. Perhaps you can
come to some amicable arrangement
about the name"
you're quite right" she said. II will
just pen a note now, if you don't mind.
Ny publisher is very wroth-he quite
raked me over the Goals when he
thought had sold you story"
hint wiCh
we'd been the lucky firm-you've got
mighty fine pen, Miss Marden."
Pretty much nibbled, thought Mary,
and wrote her note to that other Mary
asking for an interview.
She had letter back, in which the
writer suggested meeting at small
Bohemian cafe called the Blue Rat.
81 will be seated at the table in the
left-hand corner as you enter and will
be wearing a small nOsegay of few
violets and single red rose. If you
wear the same emblem we will have
no difficulty in recognizing our name
sakes."
Mary laughed when she read the
letter. No doubt that other Mary was
also good writer-the letter suggest
ed to her that she and the other Mary
would perhaps find much in common.
Two evenings later Mary Marden
sailed forth, daintily frOcked in
mauve and wearing the few violets
and a single red rose that was to in
troduce her to the other Mary Mar
den.
Upon reaching the door of the Blue
Rat she hesitated for the fraction Of
second on the threshold. Some fun
nv little sensation made her heart
beat rapidly-after all, there was a
real bit of adventure in what she was
doing. She halfway wished she had
brought some one else along.
She smiled to herself, however, and
went boldly in. Seated at that table
in the left-hand corner was a young
man with a few violets and single
red rose in his lapel. Mary blushed
holly. but it was too late to turn
back without making herself conspic-
uous. Besides, the very good looking
young man had arisen obviously to
greet her and she took her seat OppO-
site him as if they were very old
friends. Mary hoped the other guests
in the restaurant did not notice any
thing odd about the meeting.
I'm Mary Marden," said the young
man and laughed. Il am frightfully
sorry you thought l was lady, but
/ can't help that now. I've been writ
ing under the name of Mary Marden
for a good many years, out on the
Far West-so what are we going to
do about ft?" He laughed again and
Mary smiled.
Il was just-surprised," she finally
said softly. "My publisher was SO
cross with me when he saw what he
supposed was one of my stories in a
rival publication"
"I'll punch his head-for being
cross with you," said the other Mary
in very threatening masculine voice,
"but first, before we discuss what
we'll do about our names in duplicate,
let's order dinner-I'm hungry, aren't
your"
And even before the dinner was
half finished they both came to the
conclusion that collaboration in the
literary world would be very simple
and natural course to follow and that
the two Marys would merge into one
beingAalso quite naturally.
Dull Youths made Good"
Among men noted for their achieve