Betsy looked wise. “Don’t you remember that your story was voted first place in last term’s contest and that her story came out third? She had boasted about among her set that she would be the next Editress of The Manuscript Magazine and she isn’t used to not having what she wants.”
“Oh, that’s it. But what can she do?”
“What I heard her say was that she was going to see to it that the first copy of the magazine was such a failure that Miss Torrence would gladly appoint her as Editor.”
Virginia looked troubled. “I’m truly sorry about this. I never did want the position and if Miss Von Wellering really wants it, I shall be glad to give it to her.”
“Well, you’ll freeze, Virg, if I keep you standing out in this snowstorm any longer, but I just want to tell you that I heard one of the three say that you would find, at the last minute, that your own story was the only usable contribution that you would receive.”
“Why, that can’t be possible. Miss Torrence told me this very morning that she would have a short story by Anne Peterson and a poem by Belle Wiley to give me before the Manuscript Magazine is made up.”
“It certainly is too bad that Eleanor Pettes decided to go to college prep this term instead of coming here,” Virginia sighed. “She would know just what to do.” Then, brightly, “But I must hurry along. It was lucky that I started earlier than usual for Pine Cabin or I would be dolefully late.”
“I’ll keep my eyes and ears open,” Betsy promised as she began to walk backwards toward the school. “But don’t give up the ship, Virg. Stick at your post and we’ll back you. Whizzle, I’ll write a story myself or a poem, even, if you run short of material.” Then, turning, she started to run, while Virginia continued on her way smiling, as she thought of what the Manuscript Magazine would be, if Betsy Clossen tried to write for it. Betsy’s forte most certainly was not composition.
When Virg entered the Pine Cabin whither she had gone alone to discuss the first edition of The Monthly Magazine, which had been Miss Torrence’s pet hobby since she first began to teach at Vine Haven, the girl noted a perplexed expression in the eyes of her friend and teacher as she looked up from her desk that was scattered over with papers.
“Virginia,” Miss Torrence began at once, “I cannot understand in the least what has happened. The story and poem that have been handed in by Anne Petersen and Belle Wiley are not fit to use. They never before did such poor work. In fact, these contributions do not sound at all like their style of composition. I was particularly anxious to have our January Manuscript Magazine an excellent one as Dean Craig of the Drexel Academy was asking me about the plan and requested that he might see our January number. He may start a similar magazine in his English classes. We surely can’t use work as poor as this and there remains but one week in which to find a really excellent short story. Kathryn Von Wellering has withdrawn her story saying that it cannot be used unless she is given the position of editor.”