The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1894-10-05
A PROSELYTE.
A Well-Taught Lesson He Never
Expected to Learn.

Expected to Learn.
Mr. Aubrey Everdene looked out
upon Sackville street and yawned.
Only an instant before he had written
''finis" to an article with dash of the
pen across the last sheet, and now the
MS lay ready for the post among the
debris of printers proofs, Lew novels
awaiting review, etc, with which the
writing table was strewn.
OnS OF the best-known literateurs in
London, and a brilliant conversation
alist. his tongue could be as scathing
as his pen, and it was said of him, with
regard to the latter weapon of war
fare, that in half n dozen polished SEN
fences he could do more towards damn
ing book than any two of his COM
peers. A big, loosely-made man, Mr..
Everdene, with shrcwd gray eyes and
the pessimism of modern. Studying
his face as he lounGed by the window,
his hands in the pockets of his snoll-
ing Jacket, one could see that he had d
lively sense of humor combined with
his other characteristics ard under
stood the interest his personality
aroused.
Presently a servant brought him
visiting card on salver.
THE lady would be obliged if you
would grant her an interview, sir"
Lady Hilyard," muttered Everdene,
reading the inscription. 81 can't re-
call the name. Bother the woman,
what does she want? However-asl1
her to come up, Blake"
When she entered, fair, elegant
woman of perhaps five-and-twenty, in
an irreproA chable Parision toilet, he
was still more convinced that he had
not the privilege of her acquaintance
"Mr Aubrey Everdene?" she que
ried.
Mr.. Everdene bowed.
Pray take seat, madam
"No," she said. 81 have come to
quarrel with you, and don't sit down
in the houses of my enemies"
"To quarrel with me!'' His eye
brows went up. The thought came to
him that his visitor was not in her
right mind.
eyes. Perhaps had better explain
myself at'once. I am the author of
Fashion and Footlights!'"
Mr.. Everdene, standing perforce be-
cause she would, pulled his mustache,
while the fair stranger tapped her No,
8 shoe on the carpet with Impotence,
and looked pitchforks and daggers.
Fashion and Footlights, he re-
fected aloud. Fashion and Foot
lights Ha!''
Comprehension stole over his face,
and with it slight amusement. He
tished among a pile of volumes and
brought out three bound with an ele-
gance destined to win the hearts of
suburban circulating libraries,
Here it is. | reviewed 1t in the
Centurion, didn't I?'
NO" she said, you hanged and
quartered it,
81 am sorry! May ask how you
found out that was the culprit?"
'Oh, by accident. It's long story,
and unimportant, since you don't de-
ny the imputation. Now, Mr.. Ever
dene, ! know it Is very impertinent of
me, stranger, to come to your pri-
vate address and worry you. am do
Ing d very llllllS, L liIl dlItLll
and Mrs. Grundy would be Mortified.
But fools rush in you know, and
widows are privileged! You must have
little patience with me, because"
for the first time her lips relaxed, and
she smiled smile that was sweetness
itself-"well, just because I'm a wom-
an and you're gentleman! Acknow-
ledge the truth, now, on your honor
Don't you think you We're unneeessa-
rily harsh to my poor little literary
effort?"
NO" he said bluntly. 81 always
give my true opinion of things, and
consider your book had many faults"
If she had been man he would have
said: 81 thought it was excessively
bad" with the brusqueness of convic-
ton, and probably declined to discuss
the matter. But to lady 1t was inn
possible to be rude. He regarded her
absurdly unconventional presence with
tolerant lindliness.
''Of course, | admit that there are
faults. but upon one or two points in
your criticism, | cannot agree with
YOU l should very much El1e to dis
cHSs lIteLi Win YOU may l.
Certainly" Ills mouth was twitch-
ing under his heavy mustache But
don't you think, pending the verdict,
that you had better sit down? You
viii be fatigued. If you'll permit me
to wheel this armchair nearer the fire
for you-so!'
Having carefully arranged il so that
she should face the light, he seated
himself opposite to her-the A. b. c. of
diplomacy, but she did not appear to
notice it. She was drawing arabesques
on the carpet with the point of her
ivory-handlcd umbrella.
Il should very much like to know"
she said, "what You think of me for
coming here"
II think you are plucl1y-yes, and
recllessly unconventional"
Candid, at any rate! And | like
that" She looked up Now for the
first indictment ON the list, Mr.. Ever