Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1894-08-09

~A~ dash of the pen across the
last sheet, and now the MS. lay ready
for the post among the debris of print
er's proofs, new novels awaitingre review,
etc., with which the writing table was
streWn.
One of the best known literateurs in
London, and a brilliant conversational
list, his tongue could be as scath1ng as
his pen, and it was said of him, with
regard to the latter weapon of warfare,
that in half dozen polished sentences
he could do more toward damning a
book than any two of his compeers. A
big, loosely made man, = Mr.. Everdene,
with shrewd gray eyes and the pessi-
mism of a modern. Studying his face
as he lounged by the window, his hands
in the pockets of his smokingj jacket one
could see that he had lively sense of
humor combined with his other charac-
teristics, and understood the interest
) bis personality aroused.
Presently servant brought him a
visiting card on a salver.
'sThe lady would be obliged it you
would grant her an interview, sir"
"Lady Hilyard, "muttered Everdene,
reading the inscription. II can't recall
the name. Bother the woman, what
uO6s Slc walt! 1loWCNOl ooh .AASA w
come up, Blake"
When she entered, fair, elegant
woman of perhaps five and twenty, in
an irreproachable Partisan toilet, he
was still more convinced that he had
not the privilege of her acquaintance.
"Mr. Aubrey Everdene?" she que
ried.
Mr.. Everdene bowed.
tEprav take seat madame "
"No," she said. II have come to
quarrel with you, and | don't sit down
in the houses of my enemiesv
''To quarrel with mev' His eyebrows
went up. The thought came to him
that his visitor was not in her right
mind.
eyes,, Perhaps l had better explain
myself at once. l am the author OF
"Fashion and Footlightsv'
Mr.. Everdene, standing perfOrce be.
cause she did, pulled hismustache, while
the fair stranger tapped her No. 3 shoe
on the carpet with Impotence anC
looked pitchforks and daggers.
Fashion and Footlights,' he re
fiected aloud. "'Fashion and Foot
lights Hap
Comprehension stole over his face
and with it slight amusement. He
fished among pile of volumes anc
brought out three bound with an ele
gance destined to win the hearts of SUI
burban circulating libraries.
"Here it is. reviewed it in the Cen
turion, didn't II"
mo" she said, "you hanged anc
quartered it!'
II am sorry! May I ask how 20,
found out that was the culprit?"
ooh, by accident. It's along story
and unimportant, since you don't den.
the imputation. Now, Mr.. Everdene
know it is very impairment of me,
stranger, to come to your private ad
dress and worry you. l am doing :
very unusual thing l am afraid, ant
Mrs. Grundy would be Mortified. Blu
fools rush in you know, and widow
are privileged! You must have a littl
patience with me because" for tn
first time her lips relaxed and sh
self-"well, just because I'm woma
and you're gentleman! Acknowledg
the truth, now, on your honor. Don
YOU think you were unnecessary
harsh to my poor little literary effort?
"No," he said bluntly. az Away
give my true opinion of things, and
consider your book had many faults.
If she had been man he would hav
said: 81 thought it was damned bad,
with the brusqueness ofconviction, an
probably declined to discuss the matter
But to a lady it was impossible to b
rude He regarded her absurdly I'll
conventional presence with a toleran
kindness.
''Of course, / admit that there al
faults, but upon one or two points j
your criticism cannot agree with yoI
| should very muchlike to discuss theI
with you. May II"
Certainly" His mouth was twitcl
ing under his heavy mustache. "Bj
don't you think, pending the verde
that you had better sit down? You wi
be fatigued. If you'll permit me I
wheel this armchair nearer the fire +,
you-sow
Having carefully arranged it so tn;
she should face the light he seated hin
self opposite her-the A. b. G. OF dipl