The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1884-05-08

"AboGt $500. should judge from
what the mother said"
Three or four of the mustachel
months gave q soft, prolonged whistle.
"How long do you suppose it would
take her to write the novel?"
40, six months, probably; not more
than that. You see it needn't be any
thing very deep, but only bright and
readable; like One-half the noveSs one
picks up nowadays.
Five hundred dollars. unused Swift.
THAT is two hundred and fifty for the
six months fifty dollars for each of us;
and we can all well afford it. Suppos-
ing we adopt her for the time; be fathers
to her, as it were?"
The five men. all young and unmar-
ried, laughed amusedly at the PROPOSE
ton.
1.-The question is, what would Miss
Stratton say to five fathers all under
thirty-five?' said Mclean.
'eShe's as proud as Lucifer, and would
never consent to place herself under
what she would consider an obliga-
tion," objected DR.. DunscOmbe.
..She might pay it back, if she felt
overburdened, from the proceeds of the
novel;" suggested Bruce, satirically.
That might prove an uncertainty,
and she would be the first to see it, "
Dunscombe answered in perfect good
faith. ''She will never consent to re-
ceiving a cent unless she thinks she is
earning it."
Il don't see the necessity of letting
her know anything about the father
ing" put in De Wint IF she's the
kind of girl take her to be, she will
be more indignant than gratefulfor our
help in that way. Why can't we trump
up some story about publisher seeing
some of her stories in this two penny
paper Dunscombc tells about, being
struck with the style of the writer and
all that sort OF taing, and anxious to
have her try her hand at 4 book, prin-
cipally for his own benefit Of course
the question of money will come up,
and he can offer to advance the neceS-
sary amount while the novel IS in pro-
gress."
do Won suppose she could be brought
to believe all that trash?" asked Me
Lean. doubtfLlly.
1.-The vanity OF an author is capable
of anything" came fron the dark cor
ner.
"Who's to play the part of publisher,
then" asked DR.. Dunscombe.
81 should think Mclean would be
the one" sail Harry Swift. He must
be used to that sort of thing"
That's ont of the question: hur-
riedly interrupted the gentleman men
toned, '.for | think she knows me. |
have hay idea that she came to my
Office once; but don't print stories, as
YOU know, and she didn't seem to think
she could write anything in our line. l
remember feeling quite interested in
her at the time, but it had slipped my
mind"
Then Bruce will have to do it." 81 d
De Whit ale is the only one among us
who has the properly hardened and
calculating cast of countenance."
And the requisite dramatic ability,
slipped in Swift. referring with keen
relish to an old joke against Bruce.
"Humph." disgustedly. from Bruce.
''But you will DO it, will you not?"
inquired Dr. DunscOmbe.
land make an internal ass of my
self / should think that, before we
push into the thing, it might be as well
to read something she has written
al thought of that and came pre-
pared" said Dunscombe, drawing a
folded paper from his pocket.
Here, Swift; you ought to be able to
do it best. come and read it to us
As Donald Bruce rose lazily, and
struck q match to light the student lamp
on his Office table he seemed to tower
above his fellows like a modern TimOn:
not so much from any superiority in
height as from a certain erect carriage
OF his massive head and shoulders, IN
erectness that suited well with his large
stronglv-marked features and loose
masSiveness of dark hair. All of the
five wore intelligent, earnest, well
looking men, with much of the vigor
and enthusiasm OF extreme youth vet
about them. This dropping into Dan
Bruce's law Office, to have a chat over
their pipes in the twilight, had come to
be an almost daily occurrence with the
friends. and all felt more er less ag-
grieved when, by chance, any one OF
the five happened to be absent.
Many had been the earnest talks.
quiet, unobtruSive charities, bOyish eS-
capades and wars of merry badinage.
those twilight meetings had resulted
in. but this. babe fair to be an
evening of evenings-a something to
be remembered in the dim future as
the time when they had Outdone all
former efforts by adopting an author
eSS.
In the meantime Harry Swift had be
gun his reading. The story was a
pretty little conceit enough, and It'd
in pleasant style, but showing slight
faint of morbidness. As the readers
voice ceased Garry De Whit said COM
plimentarily: That isn't bad"
No" acquiesced Bruce. but with
an emphasis on the last word that en-
tirely destroyed the complimentary
tone: "that isn't bail. "
Bruce is grouty because nobody Of
'ers to keep him six months while he
writes q novel;" laughed Mclean; and
when little De 0Fint added:
1--WE woul,, md it a rather more ex-
penSive amusement. | am thinking"
even Bruce joined good-naturedly in
the laugh at his expense.
You will play the publisher, will you
not?" DR.. Dunscombe again inquired o.
him, as they buttoned up. their coats
and drew on their gloves preparatory
to turning out into the cold streets, and
Bruce answered ungraciously:
81 suppose likely: but | am an unde-
niablc proof that the fools aren't all
dead vet"
The friends made their appearance
in the warm, cosy Office unusually
early the next night, and there was a
storm of questions for Bruce.