Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1896-07-18
A VENTURESOME 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 a go-between. Ringbrand's
hospitable welcome by the colonel, and
the easy facility with which he ingrati-
ated himself at 1.-THE Laurels,' left lit
tie to be desired; and his infatuation
was so very evident that it needed moth
ing in the way of encouea cement. 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 ppaiseworthy
endeavor which the young girl APP
peared to take a perverse delight in frus-
trating. At one time she would praise
him with such outspoken frankness
that it's very unreserve was a most en-
couraging symptom; at another she
would criticise him in manner that
was equally disheartening. She had
ridden down to spend the day with Mrs.
Ludlow on the morning following Ring
brands retrospective journey down the
mountain; and on that occasion she
would allow no word of commentator
to pass unchallenged
ooh. don't deny that he's pleasant
companion she said, in answer to one
of Mrs. Ludlow's warm eulogiums.
"He could be that and much more with
out being a genius
"But don't you think his literary
s. = = L, L 4.
shade of depreciation in her voice.
81 don't like it much; he's too alb
struse and analy I never did like
an author who insists upon taking his
characters to pieces as if they were
watches to be repaired
what an idea! I'm sure Hugh never
thought of doing such a thing"
Gle may not think of it, but he does
it just the same. Take that last story
in the Miscellany; he covers two whole
pages trying to tell why Mary doesn't
love Horace, when it's perfectly clear
that she does love him; and he does it
just at the time when you're positively
dying to find out what has become of
the hero. It's enough to make one skip
everything but his conversation"
"What merciless critic you are,
Hester!"
I'm not critic at all, but I know
what pleases me in story; and that's
one of the things that doesn't" She
went to the piano and ran through a
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 don't
like about his stories" resumed Hester,
whirling around on the piano-stool.
"That's the way he deliberately takes
off the top of characters head so that
you can see what the person is think
ing about. It's perfectly ridiculous;
and 1 told him so the other evening"
"Why, Hester, that was almost vindic-
| tive!"
mo, it wasn't; he invited it, and then
| tried to defend himself on the score
of being explicit. told him he ought
TO give his readers credit for at least
half a grain of penetration"
what did he say to that?"
HE covered his retreat with a we'll
turned compliment about all readers
not being SO discriminating as-as some
Others"
Mrs. Ludlow smiled: II believe he is
quite popular"
''Oh, don't doubt that in the least
I'm only speaking for myself. like a
story with "a good strong motive and
| plenty of life in it; can go to church
when L want to hear sermons"
Hester, you are actually shrewisll
/ this morning. One would think, to
hear you talk, that Mr.. Ringbrand had
MORALLY offended YOU
''Ie has, in way; he has spoiled al
my pretty fancies about authors.
thought they were a superior race, and
here the very first one l meet is sim
ply a well-bred gentleman, who re
minds you of all the correct qualitie:
of his characters. think it's too bad
at certainly is too bad when you car
find nothing worse than that to say
against him." replied Mrs. Ludlow. q
| I L