Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1890-06-04

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THE story Is badly conceived and
badly written" he continued, with low
cred eyes. Knowing you, as do, to
be gifted with cultivated mind capa-
BILE Of originality and brilliancy OF ex-
preston, can not understand how you
have become so completely metamor-
phosed In putting your thoughts on pa
per. You seem to have gotten out Of
yourself entirely, and to be laboring
with the ideas of some one else. Did I
not know you so we'll, should say that
you lacked the courage Of your own
opinions As 1t Is, am forced to be-
lieve that the power to write is strange
~ denied to some vigorous and capable
intellects-that it is something TO be ao-
quired, like making watches or cutting
clothes"
do you find nothing worthy in the
book?" she inquired, in = low voice.
Nothing which you would write could
fail to be of interest to me-" said Mac
Senzie, in kind Of desperation. 'lt is
because know so we'll what would be
the verdict Of the public on the book
you have written, that would save you
from greater pain by int1ictiug lesser
pang myself"
"A lesser pang'!" thought Katherine.
could any thing be more terrible than
this?" Her precious manuscript, over
which she had worked with such loving
care, into which she had put the best
part OF herself-to know that she had
failed, miserably failed, and, bitterest
Of all, to be so told by the man whose
opinion she priced above that Of all the
world beside. It was shameful! The
away.
Mackenzie was touched to the depths
of his SOUL Miss Annan," he cried
katharine! don't do that! l can not
bear 1t. Oh, do you not understand
why I tell you this? To another l
might possibly palter and avoid the pain
full truth, to you must be loyal and
cause-1 love you. 1have always loved
you, Katherine, and you were never so
dear to me rs now, when"
stop, Mr.. Mackenzie" She uncov-
cred her pale face, and was mistress OF
herself in moment Il have been a
foolish woman, and have had foolish
dream. It is over now. 1t is not your
taL~- that yours was the hand which dis
PEELED it. / asked your advice, and you
gave it, bravely and manfully, 1 admit;
but spare me your pity; do not need it..
l am not worth it."
"Pity!' he echoed, astonished.
Eyes; q woman who can write as
have done and imagine she is doing we'll
for l did think so-can inspire no
other feeling in the mind of an intel
lectual man, unless it be contempt. All!
it was cruel of me to say that she
added, as she saw in his face the pain
she had inflicted. 'Do not think that
am angry or offended with you; but it
does hurt and would rather be alone
now."
She extended her hand. Mackenzie
took it in both of his and said: For.
give me that opened my heart to you
ct this time. When I would give nv
life to save you from pain it seemed
cruel to inflict this suffering without
telling you how much your sorrow is
my own. What have said of my feel
ing for you is the very truth, and is no
sudden discovery. l believe in you as
much as ever. Do not despair because
of one failure. Every body makes fail
ures at some time. The trouble with
you is you have made q false start. If
you will only try again and let me help
you little. I have served long ap-
failures myself, so know the mechan-
ical part of my trade pretty thoroughly.
It is in that think l can be of service
to you"
She shook her head and smiled faint
~: You are very good, but after
have burned this foolish thing would
rather you helped me to forget that l
ever wrote it"
Mackenzie pressed her hand gently;
for an instant the pressure was return
ed. He felt that further words would
avail nothing now, and with one last
sympathetic look he turned and left
Ter.
There was no further work possible
for Mackenzie that day. He went
down into the country and spent the
afternoon in solitude, gloomily meditat-
ing under a leaden sky on the unlucky
incidents of the past twenty-four hours,
until DRILLING rain drove him back to
the city. A few minutes before six he
climbed the stairs to the Office OF the
publishing-house of Burgess & Co.
The head Of the establishment called
20 him: ''Mr. Mackenzie, l read the
manuscript of very remarkable novel
asst night would like to have your
opinion OF it as soon as possible"
Mackenzie felt savage rush of an
ger At the thought Of his being called
upon to read the manuscript OF a sue
cessful author now. VERY we'll, MI.
Burgess What is it?" he asked.
at is called "A Thing Enskyed'-a
really wonderful story. There was no
name on it, and am anxious to know
who the author is found it~on your
desk there yesterday, and, having .
spare hour or so. took it to my room to
examine it, and become so absorbed in
it that carried it home with me and
finished it last night"
Il suppose there is letter some
where" said Mackenzie, indifferently.
Il shall examine it tonight"
ut is bad time for struggling as