The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-03-21
NOT A BAD DEAL.


instinct with classic grace; another that 1t
was informed by the true spirit of Hellas;
a third that il had Whit of Hymettus;
fourth that it was hardly suitable for fam
lly reading; and. on the strength OF all this
lapdation. ITO Lalags" was a success, and
several copies were bona fide sold 10 COM
plete strangers. Imagine. then, the bitter
ness of heart with which Adrian Politics.
the gifted author. saw himself compelled
to maintain strict anonymity. and TO con-
ceal from a world thirstiDg TO know him
that he was the "a. p" whose initials
appeared 10 Old English letters on the
title page Yet he did not hesitate; for
be knew that II his uncle, Mr., Thomas
Pottles, of Chaplain Common. discov-
cred that he wrote not only verses, which
was bad, but amatory verses, which
was atrociOus, his means Of present lYell-
hood and prospects OF future afltuence
would vanish into thin air. for MI Politics
was a man of strict views, and, whether
one regarded this world or the next. there
could be no questi that a bank clerk of
evangelical connections committed grave
fault in writing love poems. so poor
Adrian had 10 make up his mind TO remain
unknown, and to hold his tongue, even
when he heard that another man had been
claiming the authorship of ITO Lalage."
Luckily, perhaps, he failed to find out who
this miscreant was, or probably MS ln0igna-
tion would have overcome his prudence,
and he would, at any cost. nave claimed
his own. The secret was well kept; and
Adrian received the usual check al Christ
mas time. and with it the usual invitation
to spend the festive season with his uncle,
and 10 bring with him his young friend,
Peter Allison, 10 whom old MI Politics had
taken a great fancy. Peter was man OF
MANY engagements, but, sought after as he
ii prorfq fnPh himself n lH he
membeTed tine good cheer at Mr.. Politics.,
and accepted the invitation. They went
down together, Adrian bewailing his hard
fortune and denOuncug TIE lmpOstor; Peter
warmly sympathZDg, but cOunsellng con-
tinued silence and prudence.
"A, i / could only claim itP' cried
Adrian. open nE his Gladstone bag aud gaz-
inE fHudIy at half zen neat. clean copies
OF TO LaaEe." Il should be the lion Of
the seas D. Peter"
fortune is better than fame, Adrian" said
be.
For day or two all went well at Clap
ham The Old gentleman was in the best Of
tempeTS, and the two young men did their
best To keep him in it. indOTSiug all his views
as 10 the lax morality and disgTaceful tone
which perYaGed modern literature and
modern society; and. when they had done
their duty 10 this way, they rewarded them
selves by going In next door and having tea
with Dora CDatteTtOn, a young lady whom
they both thought charming. Indeed.
Adrian thought her so charming that
after short acquaintance he sent
her a copy Of 80 La!age" with the
authors kind regards. Now, Mss Dora
Chatterton adoTed genius. She had
thought both Adrian and Peter very pleas
ant young men; she had perceived that
they both thought her very pleasant
young woman; and she had been rather
puzzled to know which Of them she would,
~ a certain event, make up her mind to pre-
Ter. TO Laiage" settled the question. 1t
was the gifted author, a. P, who deserved
her love; and A. p. obviously stood, not for
Peter Allison, but fOE Adrian Politics.
The very next morning she called early at
MI Politics.. She found him alone; the
boys, he explained, had gone for a walk.
Dora was disappointed; but. failing the
author himself, she WAS content TO pour her
praises into the ears Of an appreciative and
proud uncle. She did so, expressing i'm
mense admiration for AdrlaD's modesty in
MT having told Mr.. Politics of his achieve
ment.
"aumph"' said M Pottes. Let me see
these-er-things."
The effect Of To Lalage" on Mr.. Politics
was surprising. and particularly so 70 Dora.
In less than ten minutes she found herself
being shown the door, and entrusted with
letter 10 her mother, In which Mr.. POttles
stated that she had been reading wicked
books, and ought. in his opinion, to be sent
10 her own room for an indefinite period.
'And | shall know If you don't give 1t to
her." said Mr.. Politics viclously.
Thus IL happened that Adrian and Peter,
as they were returning, met poor Dora On
the steps with this hOrrid note in one hand
ard her pocket-handkerchie in the other;
for Mrs. Chatterton shared Mr.. Politics.
views. and Dora did not enjoy having to
up to speak to her when Mr. Pottles himself
appeared on the steps, holding out ITO
Lalage" in his hand. Adrian grasped the
situation.
For heavens sake, Peter" he whis-
pered. say you wrote the beastly thing;
I'm ruined if you don't"
EN-? But he'll kick me out"
"ili stand a pony"
1.-TWO" said Peter, firmly.
well. two; but be quick"
Then Peter spoke up like a man and &C
cepted the blame of ITO Lalage"
but your initials aren't A. p" objected
Mr.. Pottles.
ST? AVOID suspicion reversed the order;
mine is Z. A"
James," said Mr.. Pottles to the footman,
pack Mr.. Ailison's bag"
But Dora gave Peter the kindest and
most admiring glance as she murmured
softly to Adrian: They're loyeIyI on.
don't you wish you could write verses, Mr..
Pottes?"
Adrian started He had not bargained
for this; but Peter had overheard and in
Il am more than consoled by your ap-
prevail, Miss Chatterton." Mt. Politics
called to Adrian; and he had to go in. leay
Ing Dora and Peter In close conversation,
and to assure his uncle solemnly that he
had been entirely disappointed and de-
eelyed 10 Peter, and, worse still. in Dora.
and that he never wished 10 see either of
them again. Mr.. Pnttles shook him by the
hand and fOrgave him.
adrian passed a wretched week. In sew
eral newspapers he saw it openly stated
that Peter now admitted he was the author
OF ITO Lalage." Peter wrote that the ESQ
was most convenient, aud that he had had
most charming letter from Dora aud that
an the literary world was paying him most
natterlng attentions. Adrian ground his
teeth, but he had to write back thanking
Peter for all his kindness
Meanwhile Mr. Pottles grew restless.
Every paper he took up was full of praises
OF ITO Laiage." The author was becoming
famous. and Mr. Pottles began to doubt
whether he had done well to drive him forth
with contumely.
49," Adrian" he said suddenly one morning
don't know that / did justice to young
Allison. l shall have another look at that
book. shall order it at Smiths"
- happen TO have a copy" said
"Get it," said Mr.. Pottles. Mr.. Pottles
read lt-frst with deep fr0wn, then with
judicial air, then with smile, lastly with
chuckle.
Ask him to dinner" he said. .Oh. and.
Adrian, We'll have the Chattertons. | wish
you could DO something to get your name
up, my boys"
"You like it. uncle ?"
Yes, and like the manly way be owned
TO 1t. Ii he had prevaricated about it I'd
never have forgiven him."
After this Adrian did not dare to confess
fgn had loal