Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1890-08-16

him out. As the matter stood, however
he cautioned Splinter to make his prep
arations for horsewhipping on sight.
Aunt Samantha's missive was short
but extremely to the point.
JOHN: 1 didn't believe that you had enough
in you to write book of any Crt, let alone
a novel. l read the book and lalyhed over
it and thought that old trump, Lady Their
mopyae, a perfect idiot. And no y all my
| friends here tell me that its capital portrait
of me. That's what / cannot forgive you
making fun of your poor old aunt. And for
myself l can't perceive the slightest re-
selnblance except that red tie which you
make Lady Thermopyle wear, and which
you most irreverently call the Danger
Signal" There | do recognize touca of
local color. I'd have forgiven that if you
had made me little less OF shrew. Hence
forth you are no longer my nephew. | wash
my hands of You entirely, and dear little
Rosie is now to be my heir. Your aunt,
that was, but is no longer
SAMANTHA PLUNKETr.
Splinter lay back in his chair and
fairly gasped. Had every successful
novelist IN ordeal of this sort to go
through Did their patients forsake
them if they happened 70 DC uuuVVrs, aia
the one wealthy relative they possessed
disinherit them, and did their bosom
friend--that was the worst cut of ALL If
it hadn't been for this misunderstanding
with Dexter, Splinter could have felt,
comparatively speaking, hght-hearted.
He could exist without the patronage of
the Misses Fry, and he knew quite well
that some of these days Rosie would be
putting her hair up or wearing fourth
hand or mourning Aunt Samantha's
anger in some other peculiar way, and
then it would be his turn to be in favor
again. He knew Aunt Samantha thor
oughly. But this other misunderstood
ing he took very much to heart.
"What on earth does he mean about
my betraying his confdence2" groaned
! Splinter to himself ~ never breathed
that affair of his to living soul. And
yet-wait bit, now-I did, too, after
fashion. 1t was last summer up at Aunt
| Samanthas. Rosie was in the hammock
half asleep, and she asked me to tell her
story to liven her up bit. And so l
began with 'Once upon time knew
fellow'-and then, half unconsciously,
Franks story slipped out bit by bit. ]
changed the surroundings and did not
mention any names whatever. It's Rosie
that's who is at the bottom of this
whole AFFAIR.""
Splinter jumped up and walked dis
tractedIy up and down the room. Pres
emily, when he grew calmer, he opened
Rosies letter:
/ MY DEAR OLD JOHN: We'll, old fellow, and
how do you take your new honors? Think
/ of you as anovelstl And you have brought
! it allol yourself, you know. You mustn't
blame poor little me, for | wrote and gave
4 you fair warning that | was going to use
/ your name, and 1 took your silence for con-
/ sent. Rose Plunkett-thats so dreadfully
prosaic No wonder they wouldn't take my
| stories. Then, on the other hand, j. Haver-
straw Splinter is so imposing. I'm sure you
ought to feel very grateful toward me. John,
/ dear, as Aunt Samantha is so fond of saying,
/ you are not naturally of the pushing sort. |
doubt if you would ever have had a great
name if it hadn't been for me. And now
/ Eve Just one little favor to ask of you. Don't
peach on me- John, dear; at all events not
until ma tante gets lit more settled down.
I | was very indscreet to introduce that little
I Danger Signal | never saw auntie in such
rage in all my life, and that's saying good
deal, you know. She says she will never set
eyes on you again, so you see, dear, that if
she were to get the slightest inkling of the
truth, just imagine the life I'd lead It's not
very much to ask, seeing that you are so far
away from the volcano. And so, john, for
/ the present, at all events you must take the
/ honors showered upon you, and remain I'M
obtrusively mum. Your atfectionate cousin
ROSIE.
Now, Rosie was a very nice-a most
particularly nice, little girl, Splinter use 4
to think, until he paid that memorable
visit to Newport. If it hadn't been for
that visit to Newport there's no telling
what might have happened in time
Even now he would do a great deal for
Rosie, aud, of course, he must grant her
request. 1t was awkward, very; but he
would write to Frank and tell him that
in the course of week S time he would
be able to clear himself. Then he'd run
up to Canada for day or two and con
suit with Rosie about the course they
should pursue.
There was a rap at the door and a
note was handed in. 1t was written
from Newport, and said briefly that
mamma and the writer would be in town
on the morrow and wouldn't Mr.. Splinter
come and dine with them. They were
both so charmed to hear of Mr.. Splin-
ters success. Oh, why haont he taken
her into his confidence. She would have
delighted so in reading his manuscript.
They had not read "The Girl With the
Psyche Knot yet, for you could not OBJ
tain a copy of it at Newport for love or
money They would get copies as soon
as they reached the city, however, and
by dinner time they would be fully quail
fed to sit in judgment on it. He must
come. The letter was signed "Viola
Lansing" and Splinter read it through
delightfully."- several times.
After all, such a predicament as this
had its advantages. 1t would certainly
advance him in Violas good graces,
and of course it wasn't strictly honest
nor above bonrd to steal her affections
in this manner. But Splinter was only
mortal and the temptation very great.
81 suppose 1t would be as well to
read the book myself he thought
at last. at would be rather
singular thing for an author to know
nothing about his own book.
So he went out to the bookstall and
asked for a copy of 'The Girl with the
Psyche Knot.
"All sold out" exclaimed the boy;
but as Splinter turned away he called
out 'nold on bit. I'm reading it
myself. I've just got two more pages to
finish it. Then you can have it for half
price, az the covers off.
Splinter agreed to the proposition, and
presently returned to his rooms with the
torn volume under his arm. He sat down
in the easy chair aud began to read. The
first chaptcr he was rather inclined to
carp at, but after that he became so alb
sorbed that before he knew it it was six
O'Clock.
Dressing hastily he proceeded to the
Laning's apartment, and there to his
disulay he met FraalI Dexter. The ladies
had not yet put in an appearance, and
Frank was stunning upon the piano to
while away the time. Splinter came to-
ward him aud held his hand out.
"Isay, Frank, old man, " he exclaimed,
81 got that letter of yours. But it's not
true what you think of me really it's
not Trust me just for a day or two, old
fellow, and I will then be able to explain
everything
/ Dexter rose from the piano aud stood
facing him, with stern look upon his
face. ats not one of those things which