The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1897-04-10

fool than you thought me. / came to
this little village to write a novel amid
the actual surroundings of a real drama
lin the which l have Embedded my
plot. Lodging in the same shanty is
Constance Ca~rruthers, the clever lady
novelist; imagine, then, my surprise
(not to mention my fo~rebodings and
literary jealousy9 when, during one of
u 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 read the
paragraph in the Moon relating to the
village tragedy that had fired my inn
ngination, 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 tittest
was inevitable. Keeping my discovery
secret, I took clandestine advantage of
my opportunity to peruse Miss Carru-
TIERS manuscript. CONCEIVE the hor-
ror pique disgust with which 1 discov-
cred that her novel (nearly finished)
was in every way superior to mine. It
was q 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 inept endeavor,
seyenty-odd foolscap pages, represent
ing nine weeks work, is now crumbling
in charred disorder in the CRATE. Goes
TO the fireplace and viciousIy prods the
s~mouldering paper with a poker. Then
returns to the table and c~ontinues.) L
wish you were acquainted with Miss
Carruthers; you would the sooner con-
done the weakness with which you
chat me. She is womanly in thought
and act: yet ! am timid in her presence.
Tier is impulsive, sympathetic,
kind; yet in all the natural advantages
Of our position, / dare not whisper that
1 worship her very shadow. Without
being supercilious, she wears a superb
ority that defies ones amorous APP
prRches-that superiority which jams
The brake IN my vanity. It says as
plainly as words: lie who would W
me must first prove himself worthy Of
the possession / have been dreaming
that my novel might accomplish some
thing in that direction; but alas! If
only her book had been a little inferior
to mine
CA knock at the door, Come in.
(Enter Miss Carruthers).
She (hesitates)-You are at work,
Mr. Rouss / win not disturb you.
He dumps up)-MereIy a letter, / as
sure you.
She (coInes forward only wanted
ID say good-by.
He-Going away2
She-In the morning-and you are
aot al early riser.
HKeu are going to finish your
eIsewhere2
Finish Uaughs lightly Ny
avel Is already finished. thank you.
H-Indeedl My congratulations.
sEore Is follow on it's publication. /
wish you the success your genius de-
1fVes.
She knervously)-You'r very kind
but I'm afraid-that is, I've determined
naa to publish that particular story.
HAT AoN uon rrdIAy mean
1T
She-I am s~eriouss (quickly) but
please don't request explanations. I
have very substantial reasons. When
wiIl your book be finished. Mr.. Rous?
He-It has been finished this ten
minutes, Miss Carruthers. points to
Frate Absolutely incidentally. irre-
meaiably finished.
she-But-you don't mean-you have
ournt your manuscript
Behold the ashesl I am OF to
London BIZ the morning express.
She Nn1perafiyely)-MT Rous-why
aave you destroyed your work?
H-Beeause it was so very inferior
q 30 existing story containing precise
the same motive