Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1892-06-10
sTAUNToN, VIRGINIA, JUNE 10, 1892.

be rather singular thing for an author to
know nothing about his own book"
Sohe went out to the bookstall and asked
for copy of 1.-THE Girl with the Psyche
Knott
At the Lansings' hotel, to his dismay. he
met Frank Dexter. Splinter came toward
him and held his hand out.
II say, Frank, old man." he exclaimed,
II got that letter of yours. But it's not
true what you think of me-really it's not.
Trust me just for day or two, old fellow,
and will then be able to explain every
thing"
Dexter rose from the piano and stood
facing him, with stern look upon his face.
Its not one of those things which adj
NIT of explanation. But this is no place to
discuss this matter. I'll see you again.
I'd no idea you were coming here tonight"
The ladies came in presently. and after
Mr.. Splinter had submitted to ELUSIVE
compliments from both OF them, Mrs. Lans-
ing suddenly exclaimed
'Dinner won't be ready for half an hour
Mr.. Splinter, leave Viola here to enter
tain you, and as for you, Frank, do play
something like good fellow. As for me,
Iwant to finish the "Girl." It's perfectly
delightful"
Splinter knew that such an opportunity
would probably never occur again. While
Dexter in his sonorous voice was inform
ing the community at large that he was
.O'Donohue of the Square," John Haver-
straw Splinter asked Viola Lansing if she
would be his wife.
She blushed of course and hung her head
down, but before she could give any def
mite answer Mrs. Lansing broke in sud-
denly upon them.
Mrs. Lansing's pleased appearance had
undergone a sudden change.
"Mr. Splinter" she explained, sis this
true? Are you really married MANI"
"Why, my dear Mrs Lansing, of course
not! What makes you think"-
''Indeed Then how does it happen that
you have dedicated this novel to your
wife? Read that, Viola"
She held the book up SO that both of
them could see, and pointed with her fore
finger to an inscription on the opening
page:
ITO my wife, whose unwavering love
has ever proved my source of inspiration,
this little volume is affectionately in
scribed by the author"
For one instant Splinter stood there striv-
ing vainly to frame some words of excuse.
er's arms, he tore into the hall, and Selling
his hat rushed breathlessly from the house.
That night, and the day that followed,
seem all blur to Splinter. He entered a
train, he remembers, and alters long jour
ney he reached Rosie's home. The serv-
ants said that she was down in. the gar
den, and there he found her curled up in
the hammock, looking prettier than ever.
There was bunch of dog roses pinned
into her belt and somehow all of sudden
the charms of Viola began to wane.
And then Splinter sat down there and
told her of all his troubles from the begin
ming to the end-all except the Lansing cpl
sode, which he omitted for reasons of his
own.
ooh, Pm so awfully, awfully sorry,
Johnp' she said. "And yours was such a
lovely long name, John, that I"-
They went up to the house in little
while after that and had an interview with
Aunt Samantha. Then a long letter was
written to Frank and another to Mrs.
Lansing.
It was just about week later that
Splinter remarked:
II say, Rosie"
eyes"
s EDO you remember what you said about
my name being SO long?"
eyes, john"
81 say, Rosie"
"Yes. John-what?"
'sDo you think it's long enough for
two?"-Boston Globe.