Arizona republican., 1894-09-23
A PROSELYTE.
A WeH-Taught Lesson He Never
 Expected to Learn.

Mr. Aubrey Everdene looked out upon Sackville- street and yawned. Only an instant before he had written ''fnis" 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.
 One 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 a dozen polished sen Gences he could do more towards damn ing book than any two of his com peers. A big, loosely-made man, MT. ETerdene, with shrewd gray eyes and the pessimism of a modern. Studying his face as he lounged by the window, his hands in the pockets of his smok- ing jacket, one could see that he had lively sense of humor combined with his other characteristics and under stood the interest his personality aroused.
 Presently a servant brought him a visiting card on a salver.
 ''The lady would be obliged if you would grant her an interview, sir.''
 Lady Ililyard," muttered Everdene, reading the inscription. 'I can't re- call the name. Bother the woman, what does she want? However-ask her to come up, Blake"
 When she entered, fair, elegant woman of perhaps five-and twenty, in an irreproachable Parision toilet, he was still more convinced that he had not the privilege of her acquaintance
 MT. Aubrey Everdene?" she que ried
 MT. Everdene bowed
 Pray take seat, madam"
 ''No," she said 'I 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.
 Yes Perhaps I had better explain myself at once. am the author of Fashion and Footlightsp"
 MT. Everdene, standing perforce be- eanse she would, pulled his mustache, while the fair stranger tapped her No shoe on the carpet with impatience, and looked pitchforks and daggers.
 Fashion and Footlights,'" he re- Aected aloud. Fashion and Foot lights Hap
 comprehension stole over his face, and with it slight amusement. He fshed among a pile of volumes and brought out three bound with an ele- gance destined to win the hearts of suburban circulating libraries.
 s'Here it is. I reviewed it in the Centurion, didn't F"
 'No," she said, you hanged and quartered it!"
 T am sorry! May I ask how you found out that 1 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. I am do- ing very unusual thing, I am afraid, aI.1 t..rs Grundy would be mortified. 1 But fools rush in.' you know, and widows are privileged! You must have B 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 wom- an and you're gentleman! Acknow- ledge the truth, now, on your honor. Don't you think you were unnecessa- rily harsh to my poor little literary effort?''
 ''No," he said, bluntly. q always give my true opinion of things, and I | consider your book had many faults"
 If she had been man he would have | said: T thought it was excessively 5sd," with the brusqueness of convic- tion, and probably declined to discuss the matter. But to a lad y it was im- possible to be rude. He regarded her absurdly unconventional presence with a tolerant kindliness.
 "Of course, I admit that there are taults, but upon one or two points in | TOUT criticism, cannot agree with Fou. should very much like to dis ;uss them with you. May I?"
 Certainly" His mouth was twitch- ng under his heavy mustache. But lon't you think, pending the verdict, hat you had. better sit down? You Efl be fatigued. If you'll permit me