The Lehi banner. [volume] (Lehi, Utah) 1891-1917, 1896-05-07
A vENrpREsoME VISIT.

The preliminary lines of Mrs. Lud-
lows matchmaking campaign had
been drawn with such slight difficulty
that the small conspirator began to
think that there would be no occa-
sion for go-between. Ringbrand's
hospitable welcome by the colonel, and
the easy facility with which he ingrati.
ated himself at "The Laurels," left lit
tie to be desired; and his infatuation
vas so very evident that it needed moth
ing in the way of encouragement. Since
his side of the case was beyond the need
of prompting, Mrs. Ludlow directed her
efforts toward trying TO ascertain his
standing with Hester--a pruiseworthy
cndeavor which the young girl ap-
peared to take pervcrse delight in frus
trating. At one time she would praise
him with such outspoken frankncss
that its very unreserve was most en-
couraging symptom; at another she
would criticise him In a hummer that
was equally disheartening She had
ridden down TO spend the day with Mrs
Ludlow ON the morning following Ring
brands interpretive journey down the
mountain; and on that occasion She
would allow no word of commentator
TO pass unchallepged,
ooh. don't deny that he's q pleasant
companion" she said, in answer TO one
of Mrs. Ludlow's warm eulogiums.
lie could be that and much more with
out being a genius"
"Dut don't you think his literary
work is good?" asked her hostess, with
n shade of depreciation in her voice.
II don't like II much; he's too alb
struse and analytical. Inever did like
an author who insists upon taking his
characters TO pieces AZ IL they We're
watches to be repaired
"What an idea I'm sure Hugh never
thought Of doing such thing"
"Hc may not think of IL, but he does
il Just the same. Take that last story
in the Miscellany; he covers two whole
pages trying 70 tell why Mary doesn't
love Horace, when it's perfectly clear
that she does love him; and he does 1t
Just at the time when you're positively
dying to find out what has become of
the hero. It's enough 70 make one skip
everything but his conversation"
"What a merciless critic you are
IIesteri"
I'm not n critic at all, but know
what pleases me in q story; and that's
one OF the things that doesn't" She
went to tho piano and ran through q
brilliant fantasia while Mrs. Ludlow
tried in vain to think OF something else
to urge In behalf OF the much-abused
author.
"rhen there's another thing 1 don't
like about his stories" resumed Hester
whirling around on the piano-stool
That's the way he deliberately takes
of the top OF a characters head so that
you can see what the person is think
ing about. It's perfectly ridiculous;
. and told him so the other evening"
} "Why, Hester, that was almost vindlc
tivel"
+ mo, IL wasn't; he invited IL, and theI
I tried TO defend himself on the scor,
Of being explicit. told him he ough
TO give his readers credit for at leas
half q grain Of penetration"
"What did he say 20 that?"
Z "He covered his retreat with a well
I turned compliment about all peader
! not being SO discriminating as-es som
| Others"
q Mrs. Ludlow smiledl II believe he /
i quite popular"
a "0h, ] don't doubt that In the least
= I'm only speaking for myself, | Hike
story with good strong motive an
c plenty Of life in III can go to churc
e. when | want 10 hear sermons"
d "lIester, you are actually shrewis
d this morning One would think, I
Ir hear you talk, that Mr.. Ringbrand ma
rs mortally offended you"
" clio has, in n why; he has spoiled al
~ my pretty fancles about authors,
n thought they were "A superior race, an
is here the very first one | meet is sim
81 ply well-bred gentleman, who r.
G. minds you of all the correct qualltie
10 OF his characters. ItsiRk lt's soo bad.