The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1890-12-04
a PERFECT PLOT.

S'o WIG u1u1HR RUM OAo .udy JUST DIS
she had finished breakfast. '.and can
not stay with you, as I have TO &c
out"
s'Ssc out! Why, you said last night
you were going to finish that china
painting this morning, though really
cont know why you should work so
hard. We are not in absolute penury."
''No; but it is pleasant making
money in way one likes. Besides
there will be some to give away when
we find we have too much ourselves.
And how is your trade going on?"
''To tell the truth, not brilliantly.
In fact, am rather hung up for the
Want of plot '." H.a# .s."
"A plot?' 3s.sar. s. 49,. ...
Eyes; it is ridiculous. I have a
short story to write, and though l
have rather neat set of characters
and small incidents ready, main idea
is wanting
Dear me, that's unfortunate. Why
don't you go out for walk, or for
half an hour in the underground, or
TO the city on a bus, and find one?"
MY dear Millicent, what nonsense
you talk. AS if were the least likely
to find my ideal plot that way! No;
lmust try and worry il out myself,
somehow"
well, I must be off. Good-by,
Stephen; take my advice-go and
look for your ideal in the real of life.
l am sure you can find it there"
After his wife had gone Stephen
Mostyn ate his breakfast and then sat
musing little, after which, springing
out of his chair, he said:
II never feft less inclined to write
in my life! Really, I have good
mind to follow Millicent's advice and
60 out"
lin few minutes he was standing
on the doorstep, deciding upon his
next move.
What beastly Jog! I certainly
shan't loose much under ground, so
here goes for the Metropolitan rail-
way" .-.
where for?" said the clerk, sharp
ly, as Stephen stood vaguely in front
OF the ticket Office.
''Oh, Whitechapel. I should think
that leaves room for discovery" he
thought to himself.
what class?'
"Ihird- better do it thoroughly.
Now, then, for a trial trip between
Kensington and the Mile End road, to
test Millicent's theory.
A small boy with a large, heavy
parcel got into the carriage with him,
and spent some moments in vainly try
ing to secure his burden more firmly
by means OF knotty bit of string that
crossed it here and there in purpose
less festoons., Mr.: Mostyn lending
his help, between them they made
rather neat thing of it.
adventure the first; ended, fear
said Stephen to himself. II really
can't ask him how old he is and where
be lives, and if he thinks it healthv.'
''Temple!''
Out tumbled the parcel and the boy,
and in walked an elderly young woman
with fringe and an American cloth
handbag: She sat down opposite to
Mr.. Mostyn, put both her hands to her
head az if to make certain it was still
IN its place, opened her bag and, real
lzing that she had not lost her ticket,
looked at the window and sighed.
mot exactly ideal, but scarcely
real" thought Stephen. "Do you feel
the draught from the Window" he
asked.
mo, don't, thank you," with
well-arranged look of spiteful timid-
ity, and changing her seat to one at
the other end of the carriage -
lis this a beginning?", thought
Stephen. ''Now l should like to ask
her If she thinks my life for thirty-ive
years has been working up to the cli-
max of meeting her, yelled in golden
fog, in third-class Metropolitan rail-
way carriage. I wonder if it's any
good going on with this incident?"
Madam
. .'Sir, I think this is Blackfriars
station?" she said, whisking her head
round as she spoke, the end of her
nose depriving the glass of a very fine
smut at the same time. @y.
ut is not my business to tell her
that she is now still more attractive
than when she got in," thought
Stephen. She would probably give
me into custody if l did" "Black-
friars! yes, it is DO you get out here?'
Eyes" plunging at the door as she
spoke. i g.. d.. ..4gs.. ....... g., ..es
"Ah," he said, turning the handle
for her, II don't.'' .-... -... 49,. -.
There entered. before he shut the
door, a small woman. holding in one
arm q tiny bundle of baby, aud
pushing before her a little boy. She
sat down, the baby keeping its posi-
ton i'll the sling formed by its moth
er's arm, the boy holding close to her,