Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1890-05-30
"A THING ENSKYED."
BY FRANCIS II. LIVINGSTON

Edward Mackenzie, author. critic anC
htteratcur, sat down at his desk anC
drew toward him d package, with
smile OF satisfaction. 1t was not otter
that he entered upon the reading Of
manuscript with feelings of such pleas
urable anticipation. A charming, cult
waited woman, one whose society was
privilege and whose conversation a de.
light, mad confessed to him that she had
written a novel, and furthermore had re-
quested Of him a critical opinion
Nothing that woman like Katharine
Amman would write could fail to be in.
terestin@, and Mackenzie thought with
pleasure of the euIogy he should take her
as his detailed criticism on the morrow
which he doubted not would be his
'candid opinion" and saw in fancy the
bright and grateful smile with which she
would reward him.
The story was typewriter, always a
welcome sight TO the manuscript-rca
and was called "a Bohemian in Silk, y
by Rose Desire. "a pretty nom-dc-
plume thought Mackenzie; ''but [ shall
advise her own name, which is pretticr,
to my thinking"
He went rapidly but carefully through
the first chapter. As he began the sec
Ond a puzzled look was in his face, which
by degrees grew grave, and at the end of
the third chapter it had settled into an
expression of intense disappointment. 1t
was some time past midnight when
Mackenzie laid down the last page Of the
manuscript He had read every line, in
the hope of finding some stray passage he
could coElmend-some CLEAN of light
suggestive of the woman herself in the
waste of dull mediocrity. 1t was use
less the book was hOpelessly bad
~ would not have believed it pos
siblc, he muttered. He sat looking
into the fire for another hour GLOW
can ever tell her?' he groaned. 'But
tell her | must
He had promised to return the manu-
script to her with his opinion the follow
ing morning, and at the appointed hour
he stood in Miss Annan's drawing-r0Om,
a somewhat woebegone-lo looking object,
after slccpless night. A pleasing con-
trast was the figure which entered to
meet him, clad in pretty morning
gown, her face smiling i'll confident
anticipation Of his verdict, yet blushlng
with charming modcsty. The smile
died on her lips as she advanced toward
him. you are not we'll, she SAID
tones Of kindcst sympathy.
Mackenzie fastened to assure her he
was in perfect health.
"Thcn YOU have sat up all night over
that she said, pointing to the box in
his hand. GLOW inconsidcrate in me to
ask you to read it at once, when you
have so many duties! 1t would serve me
right if you should condemn it,
His eyes met hers in silence, and she
knew the truth ut once.
YOU do not like it-confess," she
said, trying to laugh.
"NO, do not like it."
She still smiled braveIy, but Mac&cn-
zic saw her checks pale, and the sight
smote him with intolerable pain.
Il never had task in my lie which
was so hard as this" he said The
truth is rs bitter for me to speak as for
you to hear; yet cannot lie to you, l
cannot even palliatc Or conceal"
Il have brought it on myself she re-
piled, quietly. $50 on"
The story is badly conceived and
badly written, he continued, with low
cred eyes knowing you. as l do, to
be gifted with a cultivated mind capable
of originality and briIliancy of expression,
| cannot understand how you have be-
come so completely mctamorphOscd in
putting your thoughts on paper. You
seem TO have gotten out of yourself en-
tirely. and to bc laborinG with the ideas
of some one else. Did | not know YOU
so well, l should say that you lacked the
courage of your own opinions. As it IS,
l am forced to believe that the power 10
write is strangely denied 10 some vigor
Gus and capable intellects-that 1t IS
something to be acquired, like making
watches or cutting clothes.
DO you find nothing worthy in the
book - she inquired, in a low voice.
Nothing which you would write
could fail to be Of interest to me, ;" said
Mackenzie, in kind Of desperation.
cit is because [ know so we'll what
would be the verdict of the public on
the book YOU have written, that | would
save ycG from greater pain by inficti :
a lesser pang myself"
= .Ssser pangH thought Katharine.
"C0u!C; anything be more terrible than
thIs!" Her precious manuscript, over
Rnlcr she had worked with such loving
care. into which she had put the best