The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1896-07-01

peared to take a perverse delight In frus-
trating. At one time she would praise
him with such outspoken frankness
that its very unreserve was n 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 introspective journey down the
mountain; and on that occasion she
would allow no word of commentator
to pass unchallenged.
"Oh. 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
work is good?" asked her hostess, with
shade of depreciation in her voice.
II don't like it much; he's too alb
struse and analytical. never did like
an author who insists upon taking his
characters to pieces as if they were
watches to be repaired
"What an idea! Tn sure Hugh never
thought of doing such thing"
"He 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 q merciless critic you are,
Hester!"
I'm not a critic at all, but 1 know
what pleases me in a story; and that's
one of the things that doesn't" She
went to the piano and ran through
brilliant fantasia while Mrs. Ludlow
tried in vain to think of something else
to urge in behalf of the much-abused
author.
"'Then 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 told him so the other evening""
"Why, Hester, that was almost vindic-
tive!"
"No, 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 to that?"
'Hc covered his retreat with we'll
turned compliment about all readers
not being so discriminating as-as some
Others"
Mrs. Ludlow smiled: "I believe he is
quite popular"
"Oh, l don't doubt that in the least
I'm only speaking for myself. like n
story with a good strong motive and
plenty of life in it; can go to church
"llCH hullO W SCI
Hester, you are actually shrewish
this morning. One would think, to
hear you talk, that Mr.. Ringbrand had
mortally offended YOU"
"IIe has, in a 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 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 hopes you would like him."
II do like him, but I'd adore him if
he wasn't quite so correct" rejoined
Hester, mischevously. 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 quite too incorrigiblc, Hes
ter. I'm not going to say another word.
Here comes Mr.. Ringbrand with Tom,
now, and l 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.
"Im hardly familiar enough with To-
calities around here to know, but ]
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?"
81 did"
'I've been telling Hugh the history OF
the feud," said Ludlow; "he threatens
TO write it up"
"Why, Ludlow! you know I never
limited at such thing. Miss Hester, ]
hope you won't believe anything that
he says"
I'm 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 toe
dreadfully impulsive and natural. Yoy
couldn't possibly tone them down into
correctness, if you were to try ever Sc
hard"
Ludlow laughed uproariously: "Yo'
don't know how much good that does
Inc, Hester. I've been telling Hugh al
along that he didn't know the first prin
ciples of story-writing."
I'm sure 1 don't know why yor
should say that" responded the girl