The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1894-02-28
HER NOM DE PLUME.

stand here alone--as much alone this
clear, cold winter morning as though the
wastes of Sahara stretch out around me.
Yet / am in a pretty room-a luxurious
room-with glorious fire glowing in
the silver barred CRATE and the curtains
of frosty lace half obscuring the outside
world. A room with warm crimson
carpet, jardiniere of blooming plants,
a redbird swinging idly to and fro in its
gilded cage, piano in the corner and
pictures on the walls, and books-books
everywhere.
This is my especial sanctum, my own
den, whittier retreat from the storms
of the world, the cold, pitiless blasts Of
adyersity--and find peace. Yet am q
woman--a sensitive, imaginative wom-
an--and If sometimes tiny touch of
discomfort starts into my heart-a feel
ing of loneliness--it surely need not con-
Germ any one but myself. "Man was not
made to live Alone" and, for the matter
of that, neither was woman. Yet
better lonely, single life than an un-
happy double existence. So say as go
over to my desk and seat myself for the
daily ''grind."
First I will introduce myself. My
name is We're st. Adams Hale, and am
a newspaper correspondent, writer Of
magazine articles and everything else in
the imagination line for which l can find
sale. The reader must not object to the
implied inference that the newspaper
correspondent is to be classed with writ
ers of fiction. Yet whence do they CLEAN
all their scraps of wonderful informa-
tionp
For O long time have been writing
articles for leading magazine under o
masculine nom de plume-Vere st. AL
bans-which is an abbreviation of my
own given name attached to my second.
TO my surprise. the articles have been
received with far more appreciation thar
had dared to hope for. and that fact
accompanied by liberal checks, has
proved very pleasant episode In my
Woodworking existence. This morning
as / seat myself at my desk preparatory
to coming down ON the days work like
the traditional wolf on the fold l am in
terrupted by the appearance of my own
servants girl with a fair, open counte.
nance and general vacuity.
"Well, Abby" I observe, little ties.
tily, for she is transgressing q well
known rule regarding the interrupting
Of my work, "what is iti"
'Please, miss" Gin solemn voice,
which somehow provokes me to SMILEY,
'.there's lady--that is to say, n girl--ir
the deception room"
A small antechamber where my stray
visitors are first received before being
welcomed into the sanctum. smile
little more.
reception room, Abby" correct Sc
verely, but feeling an irresistible desire
| to expand tho smile into laugh.
"What is her businessf"
"Oh, she wants to sec Mr.. We're st. AL
bans that's the very name, miss
| (proudly). Eve said 1t over and ovel
till know it's right"
"Mr. We're st. Albansp'
Irepeat the name-the unlucky name
lin o bewildered way.
what does she wish of himF'
Abby courtesies.
"Please, miss, don't know. But shei
a-carryin little book in her hand. No
miss, she's not book agent, cause
asked her. She's college girl, she says
and-and-I believe it's some writing
she wants DONE"
| Iarise in mock resignation. Ibid hav'
an idea-a bright and brilliant idea-il
nv brain when seated myself at m,
desk this morning. 1t has flown now
Will 1t ever RETURN
take myself into the reception roor
and find my visitor, pretty little school
girl. oyerdressed and laden with school
books. Conspicuous ON the very top lie
n velvet bound volume. Yes, l hay
seen such volumes before, "many tim
and oft" and it does not require tn
word Autographs" in huge, gilt letter
to explain it's mission. She arises at once
| "Pardon me for intruding," she be
gins, "but have ventured to call to II
quest the autograph of the great writer
We're st. Adams. Will you kindly inter
cede in my behalf, madam, and be
him to write in my album
There is the situation In a nutshell
She believes We're st. Adams to be
man, and she wants his illustrious auto
graph. Well, the very easiest way !
the world to get it over with and to b
at liberty to return to my days work
the desk is to grant her request.
~ will ask him." I return, feeling lik
small conspirator.
"Oh, will you, pleaseY' her face ligh
ing up wonderfully. "How good OF yo'
| You see, there's wager on it. Brotht
Tom has bet me dozen pairs OF x
gloyes--six buttons and assorted shad'
that I'll not be able to get st. Alban
autograph. He says there Is a mystei
about him. think you are very kin
to promise to help me" she adds gusl
ingly.
j do my best to repress a smile, and
taking the book from her hand ! retil
to the privacy Of my sanctum, where
proceed to inscribe my name In my Ia
gest, manifest chirography. Idry 1T car
! fully and return to the reception room
"Oh, how very kind In your my "
itor gushes again. IT shall prize 1T
, long as livel Are you his sister,
! shake my head.
, sob, not his-wifeT
! fancy CONSERVATION in the swe'
/ shrill, girlish voice. Evidently the "a
. of a ..better half" would forever obscu
! the fame Of the popular writer.