Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1897-10-22
Then why do you come here lectur.

S"iN UluDeIIs, calming down as
rapidly as he had f1ared up. He was a
most uncertain man. For your own
good, and If you don't take the story
some one else will. 1t will make the
fortune Of the paper that secures IL
NOW you read it while 1 wait. Here IL
49, typewriter at one and threepence a
thousand words, all to save your blessed
eyesight."
shorely took the manuscript and lit
the gas, for it was getting dark. Glib
perts sat down for awhile, but soon be-
gan to pace the room, to Shorely's man.
ltest annoyance. Not content with this.
he picked up the poker and noisily
stirred the fire.
For heavens sake, sit down, Glib
perts' and be quiet" cried Shorely at
last
Gibberts seized the poker as if il
were weapon and glared at the editor.
won't sit down, and l will make
Just as much noise as / want to, - he
roared. AS he stood there defantly
Shorely saw CLEAN Of insanity in his
eye.
"Oh, very we'll, then," said Shorely.
continuing to read the story.
For moment Gibberts stood prasn.
ing the poker by the middle; then he
hung 1T with clatter on the fender,
and sitting down gazed modify into
the fire without moving until Shorely
had turned the last page.
Well, " said Gibberts, arousing from
his reverie, what do you think of it?''
Its a good story, Gibberts. All
your stories are good" said the editor
carelessly.
Glbberts started to his feet and swore.
do you mean to say" he thunder
ed, that you see nothing in that story
different from any or any one else ev-
er wrote9 Hang it, Shorely, you would
not know good story if you met it
coming up Fleet street. Can't you see
that story is written with a mans
hearts blood?'
Shorely stretched out his legs and
thrust his hands far down in his trou.
sers pockets.
1T may have been written as you
say, although 1 thought you called nv
attention a moment ago to its typewrit-
ten character.
Don't be fippant, Shorely," said
Gibbarts, relapsing again into melan-
choly. You didn't like the story then!
You didn't see anything unusual in it
purpose, force, passion, life, death,
nothingP'
There is death enough at the end.
My objection is that there is too much
blood and thunder in it. Such tragedy
could never happen. No man could 20
to country house and slaughter every
one in it. It's absurd
Gibberts sprang to his feet and began
to pace the room excitedly. Suddenly
he stopped before his friend, towering
over him, his long ulster making him
look taller than he really was.
did 1 ever tell you the tragedy of
my life-how the property that would
have kept me from what has''-
"Of course you have, Gibberts. Sit
down. You've told it to everybody-to
me several times
How my cousin cheated me out off,
"Certainly-out of land and the wo-
man you loved"
"Oh, l told you that, did ~" said
Gibberts, apparently abashed at the
others familiarity with the circum-
stances. He sat down and rested his
head in his hands. There was long
silence between the two, which was
finally broken by Gibberts saying:
$50 you don't care about the story?"
"Oh, don't say that. can see it is
the story Of your own life with an i'm
aginary and sanguinary ending"
"Oh, you saw that, did you?'
Eyes. How much do you want for
it?"
Fifty pounds"
"What?''
Fifty pounds. tell you. Are you
deaf? And want the money now"
BLESS your innocent heart, can buy |
longer story than that from the great |
est author living for less than $50.
Gibberts, you're crazy"
Gibberts looked up inquiringly, as if |
that thought had never occurred to him |
before. He seemed rather taken with |
the idea. 1t would explain many things |
which had puzzled both himself and his |
friends. He meditated upon the matter |
for few moments, but at last shook his |
head.
"No, Shorely," he said, with sigh, |
"Im not insane, though goodness |
knows l have had enough to drive me |
mad. don't seem to have the luck of |
some people. 1 haven't the talent for |
going crazy. But to return to the story. |
You think 600 too much. 1t will make |
the fortune of the paper that publishes
it. How? Let me see. had it mo-
ment ago, but the point has escaped my
memory. What was it you objected tc
as unnatural?"
1.-THE tragedy. There is too much |
wholesale murder at the end
"Ah, now recollect! Now have
it,"
Gibberts began theoretically to pace
the room again, shifting his hands to-
gether. His face was in a glow of ex-
eyes, have it now-the tragedy.
Granting a murder like that-one man
a dead shot, killing a country house
full. Imagine it actually taking place.
Wouldn't all England ring with it?''
Naturally"
"Of course it would. Now you listen
to me. l am going to commit that so
called crime. One week after you pub
lish the story Pm going down to that
country house, Channor Chase. 1t is