Winner Stories

Next Winner (61) | Previous Winner (59)

whole mind to the petty details of shopping.
]The next evening she was in the study with her father when Tom
brought in a bundle of letters. One of them was for Erica. She at
once recognized Mr. Bircham's writing, and a new pang of
disappointment shot through her, though she had really lost all
hope on the previous day. This very speedy communication could
only mean that his mind had been practically made up before. She
began to think of her next chance, of the next quarter she must
try, and slowly opened the unwelcome letter. But in a moment she
had sprung to her feet in an ecstasy of happiness.
Oh, father! Oh, Tom! He will have me!
Raeburn looked up from his correspondence, and together they read
Mr. Bircham's letter. It was quite as businesslike as he himself
had been at the interview.
Dear Madame, Having fully considered the matter, we are prepared
to offer you a place on our staff. The work required was explained
to you yesterday. For this we offer a salary of 200 pounds per
annum. Should you signify your acceptance of these terms, we will
send you our usual form of agreement. I am yours faithfully, Jacob
Bircham. To Miss Raeburn.
Commend me to people who don't raise one's expectations! said
Erica, rapturously. Three cheers for my dear, stiff old editor!
So that anxiety was over, and Erica was most thankful to have such
a load taken off her mind. The comfort of it helped her through a
very trying summer.
Isabel: I have spirit to do anything that appears not foul in the
truth of my spirit.
Duke: Virtue is bold, and goodness never fearful.
Measure for Measure
It was the first of September. Watering places were crowded with
visitors, destruction had begun among the partridges, and a certain
portion of the hardworking community were taking their annual
holiday.
Raeburn, whose holidays were few and far between, had been toiling
away all through the summer months in town. This evening, as he
sat in his stifling little study, he had fallen into a blank fit of
depression. He could neither work nor read. Strong as his nature
was, it was not always proof against this grim demon, which avenged
itself on him for overtasking his brain, shortening his hours of
sleep, and in other ways sacrificing himself to his work. Tonight,
however, there was reason for his depression; for while he sat
fighting his demon at home, Erica had gone to Charles Osmond's
church it was the evening of her baptism.
Of course it was the necessary sequence of the confession she had
made a few months before, and Raeburn had long known that it was
inevitable; but none the less did he this evening suffer more

Next Winner (61) | Previous Winner (59)

Winner Index