Arizona republican., 1892-11-20
NOT A BAD DEAL.

literary world. One critic of note said that 1t was instinct with classic grace; another that it was informed by the true spirit of Hellas; third that it had awhif of Hymettus; fourth that it was hardly suitable for family reading; md, on the strength of all this lauda- 6on, "To Lalage" was success, and several copies were bona fide sold to complete strangers. Imagine, then, the Bitterness of heart with which Adrian Pottles, the gifted author. saw himself compelled to maintain strict anonymity, and to conceal from world thirsting to know him that he was the "A. P.' whose initials appeared In Old English letters on the title page. Yet he did not hesitate; for he knew that if his uncle, Mir Thomas Pottles, of Clapham Common, discovered that he wrote not mly verses, which was bad but anna tory verses, which was atrocious, his means of present livelihood and pros poets of future aftiuence would vanish into thin air.
 For Mir. Pottles was man of strict views, and whether one regarded this world or the next there could be no question that bank clerk of evangel- fcal connections committed grave fault in writing love poems. So poor Adrian had to make up his mind to remain un- known, and to hold his tongue even when he heard that another man had been claiming the authorship of "To ialage." Luckily, perhaps, he failed to And out who this miscreant was, or prob sbly his indignation would have over come his prudence, and he would at any cost have claimed his own. The secret Sas well kept, and Adrian received the asual check at Christmas time, and with t the usual invitation to spend the festive season with his uncle and to bring with him his young friend. Peter Allison, to whom old Mir, Pottles had taken great fancy. Peter was man of many en- gagements, but, sought after as he was 2nd proclaimed himself to be, he re- Dembered the good cheer at MT. Pot 0es', and accepted the invitation. They went down together, Adrian bewail- hg his hard fortune and denouncing the impostor, Peter warmly sympathiz- hg, but counseling continued silence and prudence.
 "Ah, if could only claim it." cried Adrian, opening his Gladstone bag and gazing fondly at half dozen neat, clean copies of ITO Lalage." "l should be the lion of the season, Peter"
 Peter smiled and shook his head. "A fortune is better than fame, Adrian" said he,
 For day or two all went well at Cl&pham. The old gentleman was in the best of temper, and the two young nen did their best to keep him in it, in- dorsing all his views as to the lax moral fly and disgraceful tone which pervadod modern literature and modern society, snd when they had done their duty in tbis way they rewarded themselves by going in next door and having tea with Dora Chatterton, a young lady whom they both thought charming.
 Indeed, Adrian thought her so charm kg that after a short acquaintance he sent her copy of ''To Lalage," with the authors kind regards. Now. Miss Dora Chatterton adored genius She had thought both Adrian and Peter very pleasant young men; she had perceived that they both thought her very pleas ant young woman. and she had been RthCr puzzled to know which of them she would, in certain event, make up her mind to prefer. "To Lalage' set. ted tue question. It was the gifted author, A. F., who deserved her love, sld A. F. obviously stood, not for Peter Allison, but for Adrian Pottles.
 The very next morning she called early & Mir Pottles'. She found him alone. The boys, he explained, had gone for walk. Dora was disappointed; but, fail nlg the author himself, she was content to pour her praises into the ears of an appreciative and proud uncle. She did s., expressing immense admiration for Edrian's modesty in not having told MT. fottlcs of his achievement.
 'Humphl" said Mir. Pottles 'let me see ethese-er-things.
 The effect of "To Lalage" on MT. Pot. nes was surprising, and particularly so tp Dora In less than ten minutes she found herself being shown the door and Entrusted with letter to her mother in whlch Mir. Pottles stated that she had been reading wicked books and ought iH kis opinion to be sent to her own room for an indefinite period.
 And shall know if you don't give it to her" said Mir. Pottles viciously.
 Thus it happened that Adrian and Peter, as they were returning, met poor Dora on the steps with this horrid note h one band and her pocket handkerchief R tho other; for Mrs. Chatterton shared tlr. Pottles' views and Dora did not en- ty having to deliver the note. They Were just hastening up to speak to her, when Mir. Pottles himself appeared on Ele steps holding out "To Lalage" in his hand. Adrian grasped the situation.
 "JTor heavens sake, Peter," he whis- Eered, say you wrote the beastly thing; fm ruined if you don't"
 "Eh? Bet hell kick me out"
 "I'll stand pony"
 'Two, said Peter firmly.
 ''Well, two; but be quick"