The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1896-05-15

departed with her guest, that he was
too stiff and conventional; that he
seemed ill at ease; that he was too
well-bred to be congenial. Though she
did not in the least suspect it, the
source of her dissatisfaction lay in the
fact that she had been prepared to lion
ize him because he was All author, and
it was q trifle disappointing to be forced
to the conclusion that he was, after all,
only man, like other men,
differing from other gentlemen
of her acquaintance in no re-
markable degree, and wearing
none of the insignia and regalia of the
Ancient and Honorable Guild of Story
Tellers. When she visited Mrs. Ludlow
the following day, some mention of this
disappointment came out in the con-
sadress laughed joyously at the tenta-
tive suggestion of the girl.
why, my dear Hester, did you expect
to find him wearing a uniform, with a
coat of arms and pen trenchant for Il
crcst?" she inquired.
'N-no. not exactly that, of course:
but 1 did expect to find him differing
somehow from other gentlemen"
I'm what way?"
"Oh, in lots of ways. I have little
collection of idols-like most other peo-
pie, suppose-and one of them has a
separate niche and is labeled AN au-
thor He has smashed that one beyond
the hope of repair"
what a ridiculous idea! Poor Hugh.
he'd be broken-hearted if he knew how
sadly he had failed to realize your
IDEAL
There it is again, you see. An author
my author-ought to be so far above
common things that he wouldn't care in
the least what foolish girl thought or
said about him"
Mrs. Ludlow smiled. eff you knew
him as we'll as do-if you could have
seen him when he was struggling for
recognition, with everything against
him and no encouragement outside of
his own conviction that the gift of au-
thorship was in him; when every fresh
only made hmm de-
termined to succeed-if you could have
known him in those days. you wouldn't
have thought him commonplace. And
even now, if you'll give him hint of the
superhuman part you expect him to
play, he'll make brave attempt to rise
to the occasion. TIM quite sure ]
shouldn't do it. though, for fancy that
in gaining your demi-god you might lose
q pleasant everyday acquaintance"
Then I'll not do it, promise you:
pleasant acquaintance are not so plen-
tiful in Tregarthen that one can afford
to experiment with them, not even for
the sake of restoring cherished idol. =
Having obtained a foothold at 1.-The
Laurels," Ringbrand made good use OF
his opportunities; and as Hester came
to know him better she began to forgive
him for breaking the idol. As Ludlow
had foretold, there was no limit to the
colonel's hospitality; and from stroll
ing up to the plateau at irregular inter
walls after supper, Ringbrand soon fell
into the habit of spending the greater
number of his afternoons at the home OF
the Latimers, and Hester soon found
herself looking forward to his visit as
to something without which the day
would be incomplete. =
One afternoon, when he had been in
vited to come at q certain hour, he
found Hester in riding-habit and hat,
and the coloneTs boy leading two sad
died horses up and down before the
veranda steps.
I'm going to carry you horseback
riding. Mr.. Ringbrand," she said, run
ming down the steps to meet him. -.