The state herald., 1890-05-16
A PERFECT PLOT.


tho dining-room ono day, just as she
had finished breakfast. ''and can not
stay with you as have to go out"
Go out! Why. you said lust night
You were going 10 finish that china
painting this morning. though l really
don't know why you should work so
hard. We are not in absolute penury. "
NO; but ii is pleasant making money
in way one likes. Besides. there will
bc some to give away when we find VIC
have too much ourselves. And how is
your trade going onp"
TO tell the truth, not brilliantly. In
fact. l am rather hung up for want of a
plot"
"a plot?r
Yes, it is ridiculous. Ihavc short
story to write this week, and, though
have rather n neat set Of characters and
small incidents ready. If you under
stand, a main idea Is wanting"
Dear me that is unfortunate! Why
don't you go out for walk. or for half
an hour In the underground. or to tho
city on n bus. and find one?"
MY dear Millicent, what nonsense
you talk. As IL were the least likely
10 find my ideal plot that way! No; /
must try and worry 1t out myself somc-
how"
"Well, l must be of. Goodbye.
Stephen; take my advice-go aud look
for your ideal in the real OF life. l am
sure you can find Il there"
After his wife had gone Stephen
Mostyn ate his breakfast and then sat
musing little. after which, springiny
out of his chair. he said:
~ never felt less inclined to write in
my life! Really. have good mind
to follow Millicent's ndvice and 20 out.
In few minutes he was standing on
the doorstep, deciding upon his next
move.
What beastly fog! certainly
shan't lose much under ground. SO
here goes for the Metropolitan Rsil.
way"
Where for?" said the clerk sharply,
as Stephen stood vaguely in front Of
the ticket Office.
'Oh. Whitccharcl. I should think
that leaves room for discovery he
thought 10 himself.
"Whnt claSspn
"Thiri-beiter do ii thoroughly.
Now. then. for trial trip between Ken.
sington and tho Mile End Road. TO test
Milliceni's theory"
A small hoy with q large. heavy
parcel got into the carriage with him,
and spent some moments In yainly try
Ing to secure his burden more firmly.
by means Of II knotty bit OF string that
crossed |. here and there In purpose
less fcsloons. MIR. Mostyn lending his
help between them they made rather u
neat thing Of II.
Adventure the first; ended ] fear"
can't ask him how old he Is and where
he lives, and II hc thinks Il healthy"
"Tcmplc!'
Out tumbled the parcel and the boy.
aud in walked an elderly young woman
with fringe aud AN American hand
bag. She sat down opposite to
Stephen. put her hands to her head as
II to make certain that II was still In
It's place, opened her bag and realized
that she had not lost her ticket, looked
Mt the window and sighed.
Not exactly ideal. brit scarccly
rcnl. thought Stephen. do you feel
the dranght from tha. Window" he
asked.
No. don't. thank you.n with a
wcll-arranged look Of spi,eful timidity.
and changing her seat 10 one at tho
other end Of the carriage.
'Is this bcginnlngp" thought
Stephen. Now, l should like to ask
her II sho thinks my life for thirty-iyc
years has been working up TO tn.
climax Of meeting her. yelled In golden
fog. In third class metropolitan rail.
way carriagc' ] wonder II It's any
good going on with this incidcntP
Madame--H
Sir, | think this Is Blnckfriars' Sta
ton" she said whlsking her head
round ns shc spoke. tho end Of her nose
dcprIving tho glass OF very iine smu,
nt tho same time.
IN Is not my business 10 tell her that
she IL now still more attractive than
when she got In" thought Stephen;
"shc would probably give me Into
custody II ! did-l,lackfrinrse Yes. Il
Is. bo you get ont hcrcpn
Yes" plungipg II, the door ns she
spoke.
"Ah." he said. turning the handle for
her Il DON'T
There entered. before he shut tho
door, n small woman. holding In one
arm tiny bundle Of baby. aud push.
Ing before her little boy. She sat
down, the baby keeping Its position In
the sling formed by It's mothers arm.
the boy holding close 10 her. pulling Mt
her shawl. nnd continually asking hor
In mn unlntclllgiblc muticr for some.
thing that she had not got or didn't
mean to part with. Her bonnet wns
slipping on her dull. untidy hair; her
face was white, with tired. lustcrlc.s
eyes. pink, pinchcd little nosc aud dis.
couiphtcd mouth. Tho poor little
apology for u btby might have hung
round her neck by ribbon. and the
other child was small aud slclsly. A
shrnnkcn, depressing little group
Just NJ Stephen whs beginning io
wcarc around In bis mind pathetic.
tender fancy. the small hoy becoming
mora ibnn usually importunatc, his
mother said. with no ticker OF change
IN the expression of her face. but with
voice. whose rough grating easily
oycipoworcd the noise of the irnini
jest YOU stop n worriiin'. Tommy.
else III tell yer bio min dnd when wa
git 'ome-s,c II don't"
Stephen shut his eyes. and only
opened them Ms tho little family bundled
oiii two stations further on.
".Ihc Monument" MARK Lnnef'
No further passengers invaded his car.
ringc.
u can't stand this any longer. aud
the coudcnscd fog clokcs one. | shall
yet out at tho ucAt station aud 70
hack"