The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1897-02-12
AN AUTHORS NOTES.

When Mr.. Adolphus Fitz- Brown stepped
one Monday into n convenient omnibus
which happened to pass his door, he had
not the slightest idea that he was abssfite-
ly incapable Of meeting the modest re.
qurement of the conductor. The CON
ductor was waiting in stony silence to be
paid Adolphus began to stammer some
thing when good natureS. looking indi-
v,1r observed his discontinue and said
hcu: IL:
"Wh.t's the troubled All! I see how
it is--you've left your money behind
Well, I'm good for your fare anyhow.
And with that this modern good Samari.
tan took out twopcncc and paid the fare.
Adolphus thanked the stranger elusive
ly and insisted on taking the name and
address Of his benefactor. Though the lat
ter declared that it was not worth while
bothering about such tri1lc, he was too
polite to resist the earnest solicitations of
Mr. Fitz-Brown, upon whose cuff the fol-
lowing note was eventually made:
"M Furtescue, 1O6 North Bank, st.
John Wood. -
Adolphus used to have habit of writ
rolnguished that habit latterly.
Now, Adolphus was an author, and the
business which took him by omnibus to
the city was business connected with n
forthcoming publication. Arrived at his
publishers, he was politely informed that
tho member of the firm whom he desired
to see had been compelled to go suddenly
to Birmingham. Would Mr.. Fitz- Brown
kindly call at on Wednesday if he could
make it convenient Certainly he could
and would. And down went another note
on his cuff.
Walking thence to his bankers. hard by,
he paid in checks to the amount of some
ESQ and drew out 45 for petty cash. AS
he was about to leave the premises fault
lessly attired gentleman happened to
emerge from an inner room and reminded
him that his account was overdrawn to
the extent of 9l00.
"Of course that shall be put right at
once" he said. In any event you shall
have at least e25 on Thursday without
fail"
He registered the VOW in his usual way,
and rafting his petty cash in his pocket
he repaired to Birch IS for some luncheon.
At that deservedly popular resort he en-
countered his old friend Stubbins, man
formed him that his oldest daughter was
to be married on the following Saturday.
After basin of turtle soup and u large
glass of punch he determined that the
young lady ought to receive a present
What should it be? A diamond ring, of
course. And he straightway booked the
order, as it were--on himself. Then he
went home and began to read the manu-
script of the novel which he had been
about to submit to his publishers that very
day.
Glow lucky" he exclaimed, "that the
man was away in Birmingham l now
perceive that my heroine has too many
children. l must get rid of one or two.
Let me see Edith has fortune of e10O,-
600, and two boys and three girls among
whom the money must be equally divided,
and they must all be wealthy"
He had barely time to make IA hurried
note when the maid came in with two let
ters The first was from Major Steggall
to ask the great author to come and shoot
on the 9th inst at his country seat CT
must see about my gun" soliloquized
| Adolphus), and the second conveyed the
intelligence that the celebrated detective,
Mr.. Shiskey Humes, had acceded to his
long standing request to show him over an
{
on Tower Hill at 9l5 on the following
Monday.
Adolphus was writing on his by this
time much soiled cuff when his wife called
out that it was high time he went to dress
for dinner.
A week had passed, gentle reader. The
time is Ola, and on Tower Hill our hero
stands waiting for the appearance of Mr..
! Shskey Humes. Adolphus felt cold, but
he was destined soon to feel warmer, fol
suddenly well known voice smote upon
! his ear 1t was the same voice that had
hidden him dress for dinner only seven
days ago.
"What! You here, Edith?' said the as
tonished novelist. "What can this mean?'
"It MEANS" replied his wife as she led
her husband away, "that 1 have under
Providence been the means of preventing
great crime. l am, l know, too late tc
prevent great wrong"
Explain yourself, Edith, "expostulatet
Adolphus. II am here on business-tc
collect material for new work.
81 do not doubt" replied his wife bit
terly, that you may seek in opium al
nnodyne for your corroded conscience, bu
that" she continued, with growing fer
vor, "shall rot prevent me from doing my
duty rs woman and so far as in me le
safeguarding my innocent babes.
II really do not understand you," sale
Adolphus simply.
"Come home at once" said Edith, WHIT
did not deign to explain herself for tn,
present. Il have been to North Bank, {,
Mrs. Fortescues (this with fearful EN-
phasis), but she was out. Gone out will
her husband, they said. Husband indeed
For an instant Adol,Ars was dazed
Then an idea struck hil.H North Bank
Fortescue? OF course! 1t was that MAJ
in the omnibus who had paid his fare II,
began to laugh. He actually chuckled IA
he explained the only personal knowledge
he had of any one called Fortescuc.
"Why, then, go on Wednesday at
o'clock" asked his wife.
81 didn't, said Adolphus.
DOUBTLESS, however, you found the e2
by Thursday for her and the diamond rims
by Friday" pursued the lady relentlessly
The wits of Adolphus were returning t.