Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1898-11-27

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ne for sayiue s., but ron have altered
very much during this last year on
look overworked. overworried, over
wrought. You must rest or you Will
never write your great book:
you know never could.
do not. I said from the first that
Won had ability -even in the criticism
which you-which hurt you (she dug
her nails passionately into her nttie
white palms, land for which you have
taken the fullest revenge III your
power. ,,a
He smiled wintry smile and would
have looked bitterly at her II ne couiu q,
81 don't suppose it hurt you mucn
she inquired, with strange wisuui,
ness. If he had read her as ne redu
women in his books he would simply
have taken her in his arms. but nc
merely felt a thrill of horror at her re.
yengsfulness-a mental shudaer thae
such a soft, fair, small creature snoulu
| wish to give pain. 49,.
| ,"Oh. no. not much" said he. MOI
| enough to spoil my art, such as II Is.
NV latest lady-in-a- book has caugh. I,
touch of YOU. But even she comes All
| right in the third volume-at least
what would be the third volume IL they
weren't all in one now. -,
eyes" said she, thoughtfully. l
| understood when l read it. She is
much better woman than l.
Il gathered that you hadn't reaa
the book" ~
"Oh. that was my-nastiness. vi
course I've read it. Every one has
read it. Besides, it is part of my bus
mess now to read the books OF you
great people,
what. You a critic, What for?
"The Daily Thunderbolt-'
He looked at her in mute astonish-
ment. For the Tbunderbolt had caitee
his book the greatest work Oh the
y greatest writer Of the age-whlch nj
knew wasn't true.
You wrote that critique?" said he
slowly. Il ought to thank you, l sup
pose. But | confess / do not under
stand YOU"
mo" she answered. sadly, "you dc
not understand me. You never VII
understand me. | cannot understand
myself sometimes. | am fuil o.
wretched nerves, the doctors say; ant
only two things can cure me.
What are they?" he asked, eagerly
death Or"
"Or?"
81 have forgotten. Happiness, l sup
. pose" That was what the specials
said, but she interpreted it as love-
this mans love!
He looked at her wonderingly. Wa
it love or remorss or further revenS
that was in her mind? He woul'
have sacrificed his life for her, If nee
be, but not his pride. No, no; one re
buff was enough.
: IF happiness were offered, you woul
: probably throw it aside he said, yer
sternly. She gave quick glance an
!. read his mind.
"You do not understand" she an
< swered, quietly, with the tears yer
( near her eyes. you misjudge me
4 now and always"
He bent little toward her and jus
touched her sleeve with his hand.
rs there any way-any possible wa
lin which | can understands
Dainty touches of pink stole out o
her pale features, and something soft
r ened out the disdainful curl of he
t pretty lips.
n "You might read some of my storit
if you could endure them. They al
" me- / think"
al s.Ths.-,, rina--lately: bl
t - heahesitated and stopped.
did you read A Womans Mercy
in the New Magazine?" she asked sue
Y denly.
: mo. I'm afraidT didn't But l will
1T isn't worth your notice.
i will be judge of that. What
|. it about?"
: oh. man and woIlan-the usus
: thing"
r What man and woman"
"A critic and writer" He becam
l alert with interest.
Tell me about it,
Il Nont think I can remember.
. Her face was very pink now.
= Il should so much like you to-" h
pleaded.
: We'll, she was a would-be writer,
( poor, sensitive, neurotic creature, Xix
me-only not so nasty-she passed 70
contradiction, but he was silent.
she wrote book once" she con
: tinued, when she was young and fan
: ciful. H,N're was a woman in it;
bitter, hard, cruel woman-borrowet
from some yellow-backe novel--no
her own creature, really-not ever he
nasty self'- She paused agar
and looked anxiously, appealingly a
him.
"Not her true self-her better self
he suggested. gently.
Not according to my tale Well
the book went off fairly well for frs
venture; but a great critic dashed the
heroine mercilessly."
''You own the heroine was bad?" The
inquiry was seemed forced from him
it was so sudden and vehement.
"Yes-oh, yes! But the criticism
hurt her-the girl who wrote 1.-THE