Wiarus. (Winona, Minn.) 1886-1893, 1890-12-11
A PERFECT PLOT.

AoVo liz OtliuS iooul ollo ddf JuSI DIS
she had finished breakfast, land l can
not stay with you, as l have TO &C
out"
SO out! Why, You said last nighs
you were going to finish that CHINA
painting this morning, though J "eally
don't know why you should work so
hard. We are not in absolute penury."
mo; but it is pleasant making
money in Il 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?"
t tell the truth, not brilliantly.
In fact, l am rather hung up for the
want OF II plot"
IA plot?"
Eyes; it is ridiculous. l have u
short story to write, and though l
have rather a neat set OF characters
and small incidents ready, a main idea
is wanting
dear me, that's unfortunate. Why
don't you go out for a 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 l were the least likely
to find my ideal plot that way! No;
l must try and worry it out myself,
somehow"
well, 1 must be off. Good-by,
Stephen; take my a~dvice-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 aud then sat
musing a little, after which, springing
out of his chair, he said:
II never feft less inclined to write
in my life! Really, l have Il good
mind to follow Millicent's advice and
go out"
"ln a few minutes he was standing
on the doorstep, deciding upon his
next move.
What a beastly Jog! I certainly
shan't loose much under ground, so
here goes for the Metropolitan rail
way"
"Where for?" said the clerk, sharp
~, as Stephen stood vaguely in front
of the ticket office.
"Oh, White chapel. should think
that leaves room for discovery" he
thought to himself.
What CLASP"
"Ihird-Dettcr do it thoroughly.
Now, then, for d 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 a knotty bit of string that
crossed it here and there in
less festoons. Mr.. Mostyn lending
his help. between them they made
rather Il neat thing of it.
adventure the first; ended, [ FEAR
said Stephen to himself. Il really
can't ask him how old he is and where
he lives, and if he thinks it healthv.n
''Temple!"
Out tumbled the parcel and the bov,
and in walked an elderly young woman
with Il fringe and an American cloth
handbag. She sat down opposite to
Mr.. Mostyn, put both her hands to her
head az II TO make certain it was still
in its place. opened her bag and. real
izing that she had not lost her ticket,
looked at the window and sighed.
mot exactly ideal, but scarcely
.,eal," thought Stephen. .'Do you feel
the draught from the Window" he
asked.
mo, l don't, thank YOU" with a
well-arranged look Of spiteful timid-
ity, and changing her seat to one at
the other end of the carriage.
'1s this a beginning?" thought
Stephen. Nov l should like to ask
her If she thinks my life for thirty-fve
years has been working up to the eli
max of meeting her, yelled in golden
fog, in a third-class Metropolitan rail
way carriage. l wonder If it's any
good going on with this incident?"
! MADAM
'Sir. l 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.
at 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?:'
YES" plunging at the door as she
spoke.
"Ah," he said, turning the handle
for her. II don't"
There entered. before he shut the
door, a small woman. holding in one
arm Il tiny bundle of a baby, and
pushing before her a little boy. She