Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1897-03-15

fool than you thought me. l came to
this little village to write II novel amid
the actual surroundings of n real drama
in 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; she too had read the
paragraph in the Moon relating 10 the
village tragedy that had fired my i'm.
ngination and she too has come tC
Fernstone in search of local color. My
dilemma is obvious. since there Is nc
demand for two novels similar in plot
and design. \ survival OF the fittcs,
was inevitable. Keeping my discovery
secret, / took clandestine advantage OF
my opportunity TO peruse Miss Carru
Tiers manuscript. Conceive the hor.
ror, pque, disgust, with which discov.
cred that her novel (nearly fnishedl
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 vigo~,
ously refreshing and her expansion o.
the motive as clear as one, knowing her
would expect. Undoubtedly the Il test
has survived. My own iuept endeavor
seventy-odd foolscap pages. represent.
ing nine weeks work, is now crumblire
m charred disorder in the CRATE. (Goes
10 the fireplace and viccusly prods the
Smouldering paper with poker. Their
returns TO the table and contnues.) |
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
i.T manner is impulsive, sympathetic
kind; yet in all the natural advantages
Of our position, dare not whisper that
| worship her very shadow. Without
being supercilious, she wears a superi
orty that defies ones amorous ap
proaches-that superiority which jams
ihe brake on my vanity. 1t says as
plainly as words: He who would own
me must first prove himself worthy OF
/ the possession / have been dreaming
| that my novel might accomplish some.
thing in that direction; but alas. II
| only her book had been a little inferior
to mine"
a knock at The door, Come in
| enter Miss Carruthers).
| She (hesitates)-Yo are at work,
Mr.. Rous; | will not disturb you.
lie dumps up)--Merely a letter, as.
sure you.
She comes forwarD- i only wanted
to say good-by.
He-Going away?
She-In the mornine-and you are
not an early riser.
He-You are going to finish your
/ novel elsewhere?
| She-Finish--! Gnughs lightly.) My
novel is already finished, thank you.
ITe-Indeed. Ny congratulations.
More to follow on its publication.
wish you the success your genius de-
serves
She (nervously)-You're very kind
but I'm afraid-that is, I've determined
not to publish that particular story.
Ile-What! You don't really mean
it?
SEe-1 am serious; (quickly) but
please don't request explanations. |
have very substantial reasons. When
will your book be finished, Mr. Rous?
He-It has been finished this ten
minutes, Miss Carruthers. points tc
grate.) Absolutely, undeniably, ire.
mediably finished.
She-But-you don't mean-you have
burnt your manuscript?
He-Behold the ashesl ! am of tx
London by the morning express.
She Gmperatively)-Mr. Rous-why
have you destroyed your work?
He-Because it was 80 very inferior
to an existing story containing precise
ly the ssme R9tiye