Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-01-27

in that respect." the lady replied. I'VE
are grossly addicted 10 English fiction"
How about Anthony Hope? DO they
care for him" whispered tho little minis
ter In a tremOr Of feeling.
How unfortunate that I've never even
heard his name. But am glad you nave
told me about him. for on my way BACK
through down town I'll order lot or ms
books sent home. by the way, who Is
he? Do you know this new writer
Tho speaker glanced up to see her neigh
boris face fairly beam with emotion as
he answered TREMENDOUSLY:
81 should think / did. madame. An
thcny Hope Hawkins Is my only SON
Then waxing eloquent and confidential.
the Rev. Mr.. Hawkins continued; you
can't think what queer sensation u
gives one to have a plain son turn out 70
10 n live genius. You SEQ. Ia had
whole houseful Of nice daughters that
we're fust Ike other peoples children
and then suddenly here came Anthony
ard before his mother and ! knew what
he was about the hoy was famous, ana
bad the whole world talking about MIN.
But It's splendid! splendid! - uheN-
nected and so very nice" And during
the remainder Of the meal the small gen
tleman rubbed his hands and smiled IN
guleless ecstasy.
HOPES STARTLING REVELATIONS.
Put this same literary gentleman. the
pride Of his parents. is causing no little
disturbance In certain directions.
Not long since party Of clever women
,s.ro were discussing Anthony Hopes
gtorics agreed that IL was scarcely proper
for a man to know As much about their
sex as the author OF THE Dolly Dia-
Iopues" evidently does. His easy fami-
80 of no
feminine mind and heart is amazing.
Women have read his books with greedy
interest; they realize what an unblushin8
exp0sure he has made OF them, and are
as vet undecided whether 20 adore or de-
splse him.
Tnouestionablv there IS an element Of
danger in such candid revelations of emo
tlonal suhtletes that have been regarded
heretofore as inviolate mysteries. Women
.ek each other anXiously whether the
tra flavor OF their destinations may not
vanish II Mr.. Hone persists in taking
mankind behind the scenes and cold
hloodedly explaining how every wire and
erriug works 10 produce sentimental
effects lie turns the tender female
heart inside out dissects IT scientifically,
and suggests at least that its component
parts are gas. vanity, and deceit. The
situation Is alarming and embarrassing
for gentle women.
TIMID Mr.. HOPE.
In view Of his cynical structures It IS
amusing TO know that this grand inluisi-
tor Of the sex IS the very shyest or men,
When Mr. Hope wrote "The Dolly pa
logiles" he had never met grande dame
arI his knowledge II the world OF women
was confined to his mothers quiet rec
tory. drawfng-rOom. and the companion
shin Of several demure elderly sisters.
Those gay. scintnlatng butterflies. like
delicious Lady Dolly. were creatures OF
a vivid fancy. unasslsted by either expe-
rlpnce or observation.
Mr.. Hops studied law. was admitted 10
the bar. established himself in professional
chambers. and then forgot all about his
chosen calling For ten long years he sat
I'm his shabby little Office spinning airy
romances OF social intrigue that breathe
the very bouquet 81 aristocratic fr-Volity.
Never having come in contact with a
r,ordaine he OWNED her by instinct,
eaugsd her capacities. and knew precisely
what she would say and do under any
given circumstances. II seems scarcely
credible that imagination alone supplied
each detail with this infallible accuracy.
The delineations Of the exquisite old beau
OF Lady Dolly and Mrs. Aillary are all
brilliant literary otchings Of rare artistc
fidelity.
Anthony Hope wrote for ten long. dis
coura cling years before the slightest recog-
milton Of his work came 10 cheer him. He
worked with passionate enthusiasm all
week. and. as a great lark Sunday after
noon had tea with his quiet English SIS
ters. consuming toasted mullins and the
mlldest type Of rectory gossip. Thus he
lived and toiled. and not until the Prls-
oner Of Zeuda" made its author famous
did he ever attend the most innocuous
form Of literary gatherings.
At SHORT RANGE.
when the Dialogues had gone into many
editions and was the talk Of the town, an
Admirer. acquainted with Mr.. Hopes
anomalous inexperlence. arranged that he
should meet very vivaciOus elegante, as
nearly like Lady Dolly as London ss@lety
could afford. 1t was very funny 70 see
the difIident Mr. Hope, his face wreathed
in bashful smiles. drinking in the ladys
gay chatter and evidently in an ecstacy
of pleasure. 1t was having his characters
yivifed with life before his eyes.
The novelist is a tall, slender man,
whose shoulders are slightly stopped. his
head decidedly bald. and manners re-
served. yet delightful. by reason OF the
profound Difference he pays 10 the opinions
and remarks OF other people.
MILDRED EVELYN
--~1s--
Making Sales.