The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1897-03-04


fool than you thought me. came to
this little village to write novel amid
the actual surroundings of real drama
in the which I have imbedded my
plot. Lodging in the same shanty is
Constance Carruthers, the clever lady
novelist; imagine, then, my surprise
mot to mention my forebodings and
literary jealousy when, during one of
our numerous country rambles, I
CLEANED that she was at work upon a
novel moved by the self-same motive as
my own. Yes; she too had mead the
paragraph in the Moon relating to the
village tragedy that had fired my i'm
agination, and she too has come to
Fernstone in search of local color. My
dilemma is obvious, since there is no
demand for two novels similar in plot
and design. A survival of the fttest
was inevitable. Keeping my discovery
my opportunity to peruse Miss Carru-
TIERS manuscript. Conceive the hor-
ror, pique, disgust, with which discov-
cred that her novel (nearly finished)
was in every way superior to mine. 1t
was lesson in comparative incapacity.
Beside Miss Carruthers' story mine is
limp and fatuous. Her style is as vigor-
ously refreshing and her expansion of
the motive as clear as one, knowing her,
would expect. Undoubtedly the fttest
has survived. My own inept endeavor,
seventy-odd foolscap pages, represent
ing nine weeks work, is now crumbling
in charred disorder in the crate. (Goes
to the fireplace and viciously prods the
smouldering paper with poker. Then
returns to the table and continues.) I
wish you were acquainted with Miss
Carruthers; you would the sooner con-
done the weakness with which you
chaff me. She is womanly in thought
and act; yet am timid in her presence.
Her manner is impulsive, sympathetic,
kind; yet in all the. tural advantages
of our position, dare not whisper that
I worship her very shadow. Without
being supercilious, she wears a superb
GRITTY that defes ones amorous ap-
proaches-that superiority which jams
the brake on my vanity. It says as
plainly as words: He who would own
me must first prove himself worthy of
the possession I have been dreaming
that my novel might accomplish some
thing in that direction; but alas! If
only her book had been little inferior
to mine"
"a knock at the door, Come in.
enter Miss Carruthers).
She DISSATISFACTION are at work,
Mr.. Rous; will not disturb you.
He Dumps up)-Merely letter, as
sure you.
She comes forward)- III only wanted
to say good-by.
He-Going away?
She-In the morning-and you are
not an early riser.
He-You are going to finish your
novel elsewhere?
She-Finish-! Gaughs lightly) My
novel is already finished, thank you:
He-Indeed! My congratulations.
More to follow on it's publication. I
wish you the success your genius de-
erves.
She (nervously)-You're very kind
but I'm afraid-that is, I've determined
mott publish that particular story.
He-What! You don't really mean
it?
nhe-I am serious; Quickly but
please don't request explanations. I
have very substantial reasons. When
will your book be finished, Mr.. Rous?
He-It has been. finished this ten
minutes, Miss Carruthers. points to
grate.) Absolutely, undeniably, ire
medically finished. @.| ... s.
She -But-you don't mean-you have
burnt your manuscript? II +
He-Behold the ashes! I am off to
London by the morning express.
She (imperatiyely)-Mr. Rous-why
have you destroyed your work?
He-Because il was 20 very inferior
to On existing story cont thing precise
" the same motive.