The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1893-03-30
In Now York.

journal he WAS trying 10 establish, thonsh L
pleasantly anticipated seeing him again, lot We
always had been ciose friends.
At precisely the appointed hour 1 entered
the reception room of the Astor House aud TIE
FIRST person MY eyes rested upon there was
Julian Observing ME at the same instant he
Immediately rose advanced to meet me, and
after shaking ME warmly by the hand invited
ne TO secluded corner.
you are the only man with whom | could
agree year in and year OUT he began, ana
that is why desire TO have you associated with
me in this scheme. Now, don't throw cold
water on il the first thing. As the newspapers
would remark. The EpitomiSt has come to stay,
and if it needs more sinking funds now and
then, you know ] can supply them. Two
numbers have been published and this week
sales already have exceeded 10000 copies. 1t
is to be first-class literary journal in every
respect and know that if you will take the
editorial helm you will never regret it,
He said great deal more that it is unneces-
sary TO repeat here. He had formed. ii APP
peared, some far too exalted notions of my lit
erary aptitude, from various verses and satlrl.
cal skis of mine that had been published in
college paper. While my vanity was tickled
BY his unreserved aduation, and especially be-
cause he was able 10 recall the whole Of a silly
poem printed above my initials some years be.
fore, did not hesitate to confess that L had
lost my knack at verse writing and had grown
most intimate knowledge of ne as freshman.
The more I objected the more pcrtinaciously
be urged me to accept the editorial RESPONSE
bility of The EpjtoMiSt. At length, seeing
that we were talking to no purpose, he said:
"Well let rs rest on our oars Tor the remainder
of the day and resume the matter tomorrow.
This evening want you to accompany me to
Mrs Mays Night in Bohemia where you will
meet many lannon's literary people, several of
whom have been engaged 10 furnish articles 10
Tie EpitomiSi."
was in no particular hurry to return to the
"Huh." and / saw no reason tc object TO going
with Julian to Mrs Mays. 1t WAS about eight
o'clock that evening when we reached this dis
tiuguished woman's abode. Her stufy little
drawing room and the still smaller dinicg room
were thronged with men and women eminent
in the walks of music, literature and art.
Everyone stood except three or four decrepit
women, whom it would have been painful not
10 see seated. To be perfectly candid. was
trife bored at Mrs. Mays, perhaps because l
felt like cat in strange garnet. In short,
believe should have been honest with Julian
and told him / was not enjoying myself but for
my seeing young lady the exceeding beauty
of whose face and the charming grace and
shapelness of whose figure attracted my linger-
ing notice. ] had been gazing on her for per-
.haps three minutes, when her eyes encountered
mine. For the first time in my life felt the
electrical power of woman's glance. She
looked away almost Immediately, but con-
tinued to thrill and thrill TO experience those
intricate emotions which j now know can best
be described in the phrase falling in love-"
After slight hesitation i nudged Juiian's
elbow. and said: Tell me the name of that de-
licious creature over there-the one leaning
slightly against the mantel."
"0h, she rs Louise Chapman. Lovely, isn't
ehe? ! made contract with her the other day
TO write exclusively for The EpitomiSt for the
next two years. Her work comes high, but we
must have it-hs hal"
Indeed. She is writer, then ?" asked,
attempting TO conceal my admiration of the
young woman under discussion, and. at the
same time, certain disappointing surprise aris-
ing from the Information that she was
Literary"
"one of the brightest writers of her years In
this country" rejOined Julian. "she is only
90"
I was too confused to ask any other oues-
lions then, but for several hours after separat-
ing from Julian that night / INDUCED in
very sentimental meditation. 1t was imposs-
bic to get Louise Chapman out of my head.
and long before closing my eyes in slumber
had made UP my mind TO accept the editorship
of The Epitontst Julian, did not suspect the
motive that impelled me to become so deeply
interested in his project, and / very guardediy
provided against his finding il out; though, he
must have noticed the change in my manner.
We soon came 10 an agreement IS TO what
salary ] should receive aud il was determined
that the editorial conduct of the paper should
be left alone in my hands. / required but
three or four days to return to Boston, inform
my parents of my intentions and to pack up
my books and such belongings as ] thought
might need.
On my return to New York settled down to
my duties with enthusiasm. Julian devoted
the best part of two days to showing me the
II al. Il
ment.
A considerable quantity of manuscript had
been received, and after making my selections
for the next issue and carefully editing the
contributions, suggested TO Julian the advisa-
bleness OF securing q serious of articles on
modern American literature" he at once
approved the idea, and TO my intense inward
delight mentioned Miss Chapman as one who
probably could write these proposed articles in
the most popular vein. That which most
highly eiated me was his expressed desire that
] should call on Miss Chapman in person and
engage her TO commence the work as soon as
convenient.
Armed with q letter of introduction from
Julian ! proceeded, on the following day. to
the house where Miss Chapman boarded-on
34th street. i learned from a servant, who ad-
mtted me, that Miss Chapman's rooms were up
two flights and was instructed to rap on the
second door along the corridor to the right.
n young gui Oi neutIal type, yet RttTacLlVe
In person, responded 10 my knock. Before
could mention the object OF my errand she
motioned me in, pointed TO a chair, and glided
fylpb-like from the apartment
A moment later Louise, dressed In bewitch-
ing morning-gown. stood in the doorway. /
scarcely know how managed TO command my
self before such q lovely vision of fresh and
blooming womanhood.
She took my letter, handed to her with cas-
ual sautation and q remark to the effect that
the letter would explain itself.
"Oh, yes" she said, after hastily perusing the
letter" Mr. Knapp has frequently spoken to
me about you. Mr. Waller. You are the new
editor of The EpitomiSt, believe"
'Ycs. that honor Las been thrust upon me-"
Irepled.
Not without good cause am snre." she
said, betraying certain indications Of nervous
ness.
The result Of my call was successful. Miss
Chapman consented 10 undertake the task of
preparing series of papers on the subject in
question. left the house in burning fever of
infstuatioa for Miss Chapman.
In due time the first installment of manu-
script. written in dainty feminine chiro-
srsphy. came TO the ofhcs. No blue pencil was
needed TO edit it. One would have had as brave
G reason for expupging all any of Miss Chap
mans pbraseology. IL all appeared in The Epi-
I torisf just her lacile pen had indited il.
Some months afterward Miss Chapman gave
ali evening" Everybody who was invited
eahe, and many who were not invited said