The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-11-17
CON THE SAND DUNES"
Sketch of the Literary Effort Which
Nearly Disrupts Baltimore's
Woman's Club.

Baltimore Nov. 17.-Mrs. George Dal-
las Dixon's story. "On the Sand
the WOman's Literary club and caused
her resignation from the fashionable
society organization, has awakened
lively curiosity among the women OF
Baltimore and caused a big sensation
in social circles.
Mrs. Dixon is not seeking notoriety
as a sensational novel writer. She was
asked to write a short story to be read
before the members of the club, and
her friends are surprised at the furore
it has created True, her work en-
bodies a lesson to married women, I'M
folded in a style neither glazing nor i'm
proper.
1t rather whispers its warning in an
undertOne of confidence. The story
was designed to sound an alarm
against trifiing acts of indiScretion.
The novelette, hinges upon the breaking
of a bicycle chain, and because of it
Robert and Marjorie suffered a terrible
fate, and with them Mrs. Dixon fell
into buzzing hornets nest.
Marjorie was young and pretty
girl She had a lover. They quar-
relied, time passed, but they failed ito
kiss and make up" Robert went to
sea. After he left Marjorie did the very
sensible thing of not allowing her beau
ty to fade, and married an Honest
John" who was three-fOld her superior
in the matter of cash. Robert, the old
lover, did very foolish thing by re-
turning.
He reached his old home only to find
his former sweetheart married. He
did not seek another sweetheart at
once, as many men do. He permitted
the old longing for Marjorie to haunt
and haraSS him. The pretty girl and
devoted lover finally met, but she was
in company with her husband. The
unfortunate feature of the meeting was
the stupid act OfJohn inviting Ro bert to
call
The nature of Johns work was such
that long absences from home often
= ri inc Of !,
sences Robert felt justified in accepting
Johns invitation to call. He called ac-
cOrdingly and was received by Marjorie
A delightful little scene in the parIor
transpired as the two attempted non
chalantly to recall their love reminis-
cences. 1t resulted in Robert declar-
ing his love, swearing to its never
changing fidelity, etc. Marjorie, of
course, was "dreadfully shocked" at
his disclosure. Though she still loved
Robert, despite her marriage to John,
she candidly and resolutely informed
Robert that no further love passages
should be exchanged between them
Robert continued his ''platonic friend
ship visits to Marjorie's home, even
in the face of the gossips. The two of
ten went bicycling together One day
it was planned to ride some distance
from the village and return by train
But when they were nearing that sta
ton the bicycle chain broke. They
were forced to stop all night at an inns
The gOssips made harm out of this
OHuef the Impulse OF Qeep-felt mOrtifi-
cation she suddenly determined to re-
treat before the finger of reproach
rather than face it and prove her guilt
lessness. She decided to leave her
home forever, instead of meeting the
suspecting glances of her husband. as
well as hearing the scandalous ISLANDERS
of her neighbors.
Robert begged that she would trust
HIM, and that he be allowed to care for
her until a reconciliation could be eff
fected. They went together to a lonely
seashore and lived like hermits in a
hut. One night, as both slept soundIy
in his and her respective apartments
there arose a violent windstorm The
immense sand dunes enveIoDed
and covered the cabin. Both were
sufocated in this grave of sand. There
they were discovered by a rescuing
band under the direction of her hus-
band, John. She died under conditions
of more than dramatic interest and
yet neither her husband nor her neigh
bOrs were aware of her absolute inno-
cence. She died the victim of her in
discretion.
Mrs Florence Turnbull, president Of
the club, objected to the story at first,
but since then has tried to conciliate
Mrs. Dixon.