Evening Republican, Volume 15, Number 240, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 October 1911 — THE REASON [ARTICLE]

THE REASON

k -Francis Delaney, editor of the Western Magazine, sat in his office lost in a maze of manuscripts. He did not hear the door qpen and was unaware that he was not amne, until a timid voiee .broke the stillness. “Good morning, sir.” The editor raised his eyes with a slight start. Before ham stood a tall, young girl, timidly awaiting his reply. "What can I do for you?” Delaney asSed, brusquely, and his gaze returned to the manuscripts before him. She answered him hesitatingly. - ; “I have some stories. I would be gp glad to submit something. I” ‘‘Nothing today,” he answered, without lifting his eyes. “You can see we are overcrowded with new manuscripts, now.” The girl cast at him one look of sorrowful abashment. He did not see the look, nor did he see her as sue turned with an embarrassed fiusb upon her face and left the room. But the girl did* not forget. * * * * * • Ten years later the good fortune of Francis Delaney, once editor of the Western Magazine, had changed. A long illness had forced him to resign his lucrative position. Time' and money all had gone in the recuperation of shattered health, broken down by the earnestness of the man’s work. At last he had been restored to his normal physical condition, but then he faced new difficulties. He began a search, long fruitless, for a position equal to his ability. Months passed and he found nothing he could bring himself to accept. At last he determined fiercely to secure something—he cared not wh&t. It was in San Francisco that Delaney made his last stand. He entered the office of the large magazine he had chosen for his attempt with an air of desperate determination. Then, from i the manager of the publication came the same verdict —they could not use him at present. * Delaney turned almost fiercely. "What is talent worth?” he cried bitterly. “What are education, experience and trustworthiness if there is no demand for them? Surely In this establishment there Is some position I can hold.”

As his broken voice filled the room, a door opened and a woman entered. He did not notice her, but she gave a start of surprise and her face flushed when she saw him. She paused, as she heard his words. And as Delaney turned to go, the woman’s voice broke in. “I would wish you to give this gentleman a position in the editorial department,” she said to the manager. “i know he has ability.”” “Certainly,” answered the latter, coldly. Then to Delaney: “Came this way. We will arrange terms.” In private office Delaney was employed at a lucrative salary. Then he asked the identity of his benefactress. “I thought yon knew,” said the manager, “that this periodical is owned by a woman—the one you saw” * ***** A month had passed and Delaney had “made good” in hi* new position. He was now regarded as a permanent and valuable member of the staff. He had regained hi 8 o\d self-respect and prosperity was on the way. He had not seen the proprietress of the magazine again since the day she had befriended him. He had not recognized her, and burning within him was a great Cesire to know the reason for her action a month before. At last he determined to wait no longer-

“If you wish to see her,” the manager told him, “i could make an appointment for you at her home. Site seldom comets, here. You know she is an authoress and her time is much occupied. She is a talented woman wid you win enjoy meeting her.” And so it was arranged. The next evening Delaney called at the home of his benefactress. She received him graciously and they talked long together. Then he asked her the question that had filled his mind for weeks. “Why did you help me?” he asked. ”Why did you interfere in my behalf?” "I will tell you. One day, when I was 19 years old, I took to you my manuscripts and asked you to examine them. You refused, without even a glance at me or my work. Had I ' not been forced to earn my living. I should never written again. But I did, and I succeeded. When I saw you applying in vain for a position on the magazine I now own. I thought of my own feelings, U* I stood before you years ago. And I wanted to save you from them. That was all." Involuntarily Delaney shrank from her. Then, quietly he rose. With the briefest of courteous words be left the house. The next day Delaney resigned his position. He was again a wanderer.