The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1896-04-09

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 grain of penetration"
"What did he say 20 that?"
"Ie covered his retreat with we'll
turned compliment about all readers
not being so discriminating as-as some
others"
Z Mrs. Ludlow smiled; 81 believe he is
quite popular"
"Oh, / don't doubt that in the least.
I'm only speaking for myself. like n
story with good strong motive and
plenty of life in it; can go to church
when want to hear sermons"
Hester, you are actually shrewish
this morning. One would think, to
hear you talk, that Mr.. Ringbrand had
MORALLY offended you.'
"IIe has, in way; he has spoiled all
my pretty fancies about authors. ]
thought they were superior race, and
here the very first one meet is sim
ply q well-bred gentleman, who re-
minds you of all the correct qualities
Of his characters, ] think it's too bad
at certainly is too bad when you can
find nothing worse than that to say
against him" replied Mrs. Ludlow. 81
was in hcres you would like him"
II do like him, but I'd adore him if
he wasn't quite so correct" rejoined
Hester, rlischievously. 'Just think
how delightful it would be if he would
only do something dreadfully wicked
or absurd-just the very thing one of
his handsome heroes wouldn't do"
"You're squite too incorrigible, Hes
ter. I'm not gong to say another word.
Here comes Mr.. Ringbrand with Tom,
now, and shall let him fight his own
battles"
At the dinner-table the conversation
turned upon Ringbrand's stroll on the
mountain.
Where did you go, Mr.. Ringbrand?"
asked Hester.
I'm hardly familiar enough with To-
calities around here to know, but I
think / went as far as McNabb's Cove
Then you saw the home of our
hereditary enemies" she said. did
you notice log house in the bottom OF
the cove?"
y did"
tive been telling Hugh the history OF
the feud," said Ludlow; "he threatens
TO write it up"
"Why, Ludlow you know ! never
limited at such thing. Miss Hester,
hope you won't believe anything that
he says"
SIN not at all afraid of your put
ting the feud into story replied Hes
ter, with an air of conviction.
Ringbrand could not let well enough
alone, and he asked: "Why?"
Because the characters are all to-
drendfully impulsive and natural. Yo'
couldn't possibly tone them down int
correctness, if you were to try ever 81
hard.'
Ludlow laughed uproariously: "Yo'
don't know how much good that doe
Inc, Hester. I've been telling Hugh al
along that he didn't know the first prin
ciples of story-writing."
Pm sure / don't know why yo1
! should say that" responded the girl
changing front with an easy faeilit,
that made Mrs. Ludlow catch he
breath. 81 think Mr.. Ringbrand'
stories are perfectly delightful. Ionl,
meant that he wouldn't care to use sue
rough materials"
Ringbrand glanced up gratefully AM
saw Mrs. Ludlow trying to look re
proachfully at Hester; then the uncon
ventionality of it all appealed to hir
like the turning of new leaf in tn
book of experience. and he laughe
| pleasantly. DO you know it's quit
charming to hear ones self discusse
in open meeting?" he said. I'm all m
life I've never heard so much fran
criticism as Miss Latimer and Tor
have given me in the last few weeks
It's decidedly refreshing, after half
lifetime of meaningless praise on on
hand, set off by an equal amount q
spteful abuse on the other. I'll Civ
fair warning now, though, that ] mea
to turn the tables some fine day, an
you'll hear Inc telling Ludlow how
run an iron furnace, and"
And Miss Latimer how to hold he
tongue" interrupted Hester, NAL
ciously.
Indeed. wasn't going to say an
such ungallant thing protested Ring
brand
You might as we'll say it as to thin
it, "rcJo,ncd Hester. meekly. Il kno
! shall catch myself looking for an IN
pertinent young woman III all your fl
tire s,orcs.'
After that the talk drifted back
he felnl, and Hester related the inc
dent Of the evening before. II suppos
il must have been one OF lie Bynums
she concluded. though | can't ina;
me what his object could have been"
Perhaps 1t was Uncle Ephrai
after chicken suggested Mrs. Luz
low
''Uncle Eph wouldn't come arour
the front of the house when there wei
four of us sitting on the veranda," r
piled Hester.
MAY ask to be introduced to Unc
Ephraim?" inquired Ringbrand.
..Ym'yn met hlmn said ludlov