Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1892-08-27

which he assured his friends was suR-
pested by an incident Of his western
trip. The book had been published.
and the reviewers, to use his own
phrase, had "let him down easy" and he
was much surprised to find himself
gently and affably treated by the Dis
patch. The writer was not surprised
TO find so indifferent poet capable OF
producing u tale so pleasing and grace
full, so full of felicitous description, so
fresh and unhackneyed. 1t was under
TODD that the young man was under a
solemn promise never again to attempt
verse, and, in consideration OF this as
surance and the promise of success held
out by the latter work, it was but just
that the public should eXtinguish its
resentment and take the author to
forgiving and indulgent bosom. y
Then followed criticism in which
the claims of the book were seriously
treated, and by the time Lawrence had
finished the perusal he was thinking
that, after all, he might have been a
little too fierce in his resentment upon
n previous occasion. There arose with
in him q desire to make amends in
some way for his own derision OF this
person, who, however hard upon him
at first, was clearly without malice in
the matter, and had no doubt in each
instance expressed an honest convic-
ton. He wrote a note in which he
acknowledged the courtesy and asked
leave to call and thank the writer in
person. He had few copies that had
been handsomely bound, intended as
souvenirs for his friends. He would be
most happy to present one as a token
of his appreciation.
The reply to his friendly overture was
written upon n card across the upper
left-hand corner of which was the day
of the week in gilt lettering; on the OPP
posite corner was pcn-and-ink sketch
of st. George in the act of vanquishing
the dragon. Below was written:
miss Damon will be at home to Mr..
Lawrence this evening ut eight o'clock,
7O5 West Broadway"
This sketch, despite the limited
space it occupied, was spirited, and in
dicated knowledge of her unflatter-
ing soubriquet. As he looked up at
his own sketch upon the wall he was
conscious of strong impulse to de-
stroy it.
At eight o'clock that evening Law
renee, bearing his peace offering CO.
quettishly bound in gilt and morocco,
rung Miss Damon's bell. He was ush-
cred into the parlor, and in few mo-
ments he heard rustling of drapery
behind him. As he arose he encoun-
tered n slender figure in a toilet OF
black lace.
Miss Vincent" he said, exultingly,
81 have been looking for you every
where. have written you innumera-
BILE letters, and have been four times
to that horrid hole of town where you
said you lived. Why did you deceive
me so cruelly?"
"Why did deceive you? Well, /
did not think it would add anything
to your pleasure just then to know the
truth"
A horrible presentinent seized him.
''Then-then-your - name lis not
vincent?"
Eyes; Alice Vincent Damon"
"You know me, of course?" he fall
tered.
Yes"
Don't you think you have taken
rather mean advantage OF me?"
"No; think the truth would have
spoiled very pleasant day."
In the conversation that followed the
purpose of the visit was well-nigh for
gotten, and the souvenir played u very
inconspicuous part in the diversion of
the evening.
was sitting in his room, his friend
Harrison came in. took n seat on the
opposite side of the table, and, after
gazing at his host for some time with q
most lugubrious expression, said:
"Old man, is this all true that hear
about you?"
what do you hear?"
''That you have actually caught the
dragon?"
Lawrence laughed.
"What does it mean?" persisted Har.
rison.
1T means that at last am about to
take my revenge intend to marry
her."
Lawrence made this announcement
with dramatic intensity, and Harrison,
who had arisen, dropped Imply into a
chair. After pause he pointed to the
sketch on the wall, and asked, pathet.
ically:
"a say, Lawrence, does she look like
that?"
Lawrence reversed a photograph that
was standing on the rlantelpiece with
its face to the wall and, holding 1t be.
fore Harrison, said:
''She looks like that, and she is the
heroine of my story. ".-Waverly Maya