Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1897-03-19

fool than you thought me. came 10
this little village to write novel amid
the actual surroundings OF areal drama
lin the which 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'
cleaned that she was at work upon
novel moved by the self-same motive as
my own. Yes; che too had read the
paragraph in the Moon relating TO the
village tragedy that had fred 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 fittest
was inevitable. Keeping my discovery
secret, / took clandestine advantage OF
my opportunity to peruse Miss Carru-
TIERS manuscript. Conceive the. hor-
ror. piaue, disgust, with which discoy-
cred that her novel (nearly finished)
was in every way superior to mine. IL
was lesson in comparative incapacity.
Beside Miss Carruthers' story mine is
limp and fatuous. Her style is as vigor.
ousiy refreshing and her expansion OF
the motive ms clear as one, knowing her,
would expect. Undoubtedly the fittest
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
10 the fireplace and viciously prods the
smouldering paper with poker. Then
returns to the table and continues.) !
wish you were acquainted with MISS
Carruthers; you would the sooner con-
done the weakness with which you
cbaff me- She is womanly in thought
and act; vet am timid in her presence
Her manner is impulsive, sympathetic
kind; vet in all the natural advantages
Of our position, dare not whisper thai
worship her very shadow. Without
being supercilious, she wears a SUPERB
or;tv that defies ones nmorous ap
proaches-that superiority which jams
the brake on my vanity. 1t says a.
plainly MS words: lie who would OWL
me must first prove himself worthy o
the possession have been dreaming
that nv novel might accomplish some
thing in that direction; but alas! l
on,v her book had been little inferio
to mine"
"a knock at the door.) Come in
Enter Miss Carruthers). !,
She (hesitates)-You are AT worn
Mr.. Rous; will not disturb you.
He dumps up)-Merely a letter. as
sure you.
She comes forward)-I only wante
to say good-by.
He--Going away
she-In the morning-and you al
! not an early riser.
He-You are going to finish you
1 novel elsewhere? :,
she--Finish--! laughs lightlyJ NJ
novel Ia already finished, thank you.
He-Indeedl My congratuiation
| More to follow on its pupiicat'on. !,
wish YOU the success your genius q
II erves. 49,,
She (nervously)-You're very KIND
Q b,n I'm afraid--that is, I've determine
b not No publish that particular story
n Hc-Whatl You don't really me'
:; II? ...,,,,, !
y sbe--T am serious; Quickly D
nj n,ease don't request explanations,
n have very substantial reasons , Ms. p mn
will your book be finished, Mr. hou
pd He.It has been finished this I
minutes, Miss Carruthers. tpoints :.
n rrate.) Absolutely, undeniao'y' 'r
az medically finished. 49,, :,
~ she-But--you don't mean--yo" ma
on burnt your manuscript2
I'd He-Behold the ashes! am OIL
..i London by the morning express =
att She (irnperarively)--Mr. Rous-w
~ have YOU destroyed your work.
m He--Pecausc 1t was so very inl aa,
Z, 10 an existing story containing PfeV'
re- " the same motive
res