hem he threw on one side for his "sub," a few he opened himself and tossed into a basket for further attention later on. It was a task which he never entered upon with m

never so much chaos but that the picture was turned where the light fell best upon it; the dirt might lie thick upon every inch in the room, but every morning a silk handkerchief carefully removed from the glass-mounting every disfiguring speck. Yet the man himself seemed to have little enough sentiment about him. His shoulders were broad and his head massive. A

ce. A letter from her was by no means an everyday affair, for she was a woman of caprices, as who should know better than he? There were weeks during which it was her pleasure to hold herself aloof from him-and others-when the servants who denied her shook their heads to all questions, and letters met with no response. What should he find inside, he wondered? An invitation, or a reproof. He had tried so hard to see her lately. He was in no hurry to open

, GROSV

dne

favour of granting what I now ask I shall be equally grateful. There is a young man named Jesson who has sent you a story, and who hopes to secure more work from you. It is not my wish that he should have it at present, and with regard to

agements permit of your coming to see me, I may perhaps be able to take you into my confidence. If you should come, brin

Y DE

lexed face to a little telephone which stood upon his table. He summoned his manager, an untidy-looki

at Jesson story set up

tand that those wer

ey no

he said. "You can take another story of abo

nager

good," he remarked. "

best bit of work we'd h

and turned bac

ns for what I'm telling you to do. Jesson's

ooked up annoyed. Some one else, no doubt, to protest against the exclusion of Jesson's story. Rice was standing upon the threshold, and

found him at Spargetti's, struck up an acquaintance and brought him al

ous. Rice, blandly unconscious of anything unusual, wheele

rd with you before you

look in at

ad only bidden him a mechanical good morning, and wondered a little at the heavy frown upon his face.

gether. The thing was awk

egan. "A very fair story indeed for a beginner, as I suppose you are. I

looked u

u were using it in the next is

ue!" Drexley

ave short stories enough on hand now to last us nearly two years. Of course if you care to leave yours with us, I think I can pro

echless. He did his best,

seemed to think, too, that if I saw you you might give me some more work. I am living i

ime in his life he glanced across at the photograph whi

iterary market of to-day is in that state. If you like to leave your story it shall appear some time or other-I cannot p

ointment at his heart, but with a firm dete

he said. "I will think the m

gle. He, too, had been yo

e said. "We will let you know, then, if w

s hesi

will write to you. At present I have

hich smiled at him from his table. Douglas's one idea was to get out of the place. He had no wish to see Ric

re soon off. Have you finish

ed with tigh

ay to me," he answer

d fall upon the

e said. "Here, come int

s little wizened face puckered up with astonishment. When he had finished

t here a moment. I must ha

everal minutes. When he returned

s gone off his nut, or you managed to offend him somehow. I c

ffend him," Douglas sai

up and dow

address," he said. "I'd li

as si

hat I told Mr. Drexley. At presen

with him t

"I want you to pr

el

nour. Only yesterday 'the chief' asked for the proof of your story himself. It was down to appear without fail this next week. We've very few manuscripts in hand-ne

nodded d

said. "I wo

idea as to his destination. Rice returned to his room