The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1898-10-28
A NOMAN'S MERCY,

A HUMAN y MEkCI.
He had stopped behind the other callers,
and she came late, and Aunt Teresa was
wise enough to leave them together.
1T Is a long time since we met" said
he. .4...
"1srit? I don't remember. 1t doesn't
seem long
Only year,
"Iss that ALT" She sank languidly upon
an ottoman, and he sat down beside her.
You are not looking well.'
Ion, that's only my style. "A small,
pale, big-eyed girl who looked interesting
to avert a criticism for her features as
you put it III one of your novels"
That was written long before I knew
you"
Still, it is useful hint"
TO those who feared the criticism
II feared criticism very much-then.'
You are unforgiving," he said bitterly,
with slight flush on his dark face.
"Oh. no! I've long ceased to care. Be-
sides, the critics haven't been so bad late
ly. You see, haven't written anything
pretentious enough for notice by YOU
II haven't given up criticism. It's a
poor business, anyhow 49,,
Have "you written anything lately?'
She knew his great success almost by
heart, in spite of the question.
Nothing very good. A novel that is
selling
1T must be nice to sell. I am trying
to write down to that level myself
He looked at her disapprovingly-almo
sternly. He had put his heart into the
book.
Il do not think that is the surest way
of success"
She laughed scornfully. perhaps not
for a genius. But am not one, us was
pointed out by great critic once
Probably he would now admit that he
| was mistaken. Time may have taught
him that your idea of a woman was truer
| than he supposed. Time," he sighed,
DESTROYS a good many of our illusions
Great critics should be free from ILL
sions'' -.
My illusion of womans goodness is
| not quite gone, nevertheless. l remem-
Der my mother sometimes, as we'll as
He paused awkwardly.
"Other women"
"Another woman. Une belle dame sans
| merci," he corrected looking hungrily at
| her.
Il suppose you mean a woman whom
you treated badly, and from whom you
deserved no mercy!' said she. leaning
her elbow Oh the couch and putting her
cheek on her thin hand. There was just
| the faintest pink flush upon her cheek
and her eyes looked fathomless.
MY God, how pretty she isl" the man
groaned to himself.
II am sorry-very sorry-to see you
looking so fragile he said, as if he had
not heard her question. MAY we not
have truce! Let me fetch you glass
Of wine-or anything!' She shook her
head.
"There is nothing the. NATTER" said
she. "Onl y-ony | am not strong, and
! me, suppose. If l could write one real
" good book, one that the great critics.
He rose aagrily. mo, no, please don't
| 60; l am not aiming at you now. One
that good Judges would praise, l mean-
| l would give up writing and be content"
"The good judges! You want their
| praise? The men who also dare to con-
! DENIM
! EYES"
yet when they condemn-''
"rhen- Oh, suppose it is all right. 1t
! is just enough. Oh yes> know il is
| just. But it nearly kills me-" She
surd, isn't it,"
He looked at her very compassionately
| You are too excitable. Forgive me for
saying So but you have altered very
overworked, overworried, overwrouyht.
You must rest or you will never write
| Your great book"
you know l never could"
II do not. l said from the first thai.
you had ability-even in the criticism
which you-which hurt YOU" (she dug her
| nails passienately into her little White
palms.: and for which you have taken
the fullest revenge in your power.'
He smiled wintry smile, and would
have looked bitterly at her if he could.
! II don't suppose it hurt you much?" she
inquired with strange usefulness. II
he had read her as he read women in his
books he would simply have taken her in
his arms. But he merely felt thrill of
shudder that such soft, fair, small Great
ure should wish to give pain.
! 20 no, not much" said he. "Not enough
to spoil my art. such as it is. My latest
lady-ln-a-b book mas caught touch of You
! But even she comes out all right III the
third volume-at least, what would be the
third volume if they weren't all in one
now
eyes," said she, thoughtfully, * TN:
derstood when l read it. She is much
better woman than l." =.
| Il gathered that you hadn't read the
book?'' -
"Oh, that was my-nastiness. Of
course I've read it. Everyone has read IT,
Besides, it is part of my business now to
What! You critic! What fory' =
'''rhc Daily Thunderbolt.''
He looked at her in mute astonishment.
For the Thunderbolt had called his book
the greatest work of the create author
J CT the age-which he knew wasn't true.s
"You wrote that critiquc"' said he
slowly. Il ought to thank you, sup
| R1,t I 7 RI Il
YOU 3
! NO" she answered sadly, "you do not
understand me. You never will under
stand me. l cannot understand myself
1 sometimes. am full of wretched nerves,
the doctors say, and only two things can
cure me-"
what are they?' he asked eagerly.
| Corp .
| II have forgotten. Happiness, l sup
pose" That was what the specialist
said, but she interpreted it as love-this
mans love!
He looked at her wonderingly. Was it
love, or remorse, or further revenge that
was in her mind? He would have sacri-
feed his life for. her, if need be, but not
his pride. No, no, one rebuff was enough
IF happiness were offered, you would
probably throw it aside," he said very
sterniy: She gave a quick glance and
TeIO MS mlnu.
| You do not understand" she AN
swered quietly, with the tears very near
her eyes: "You misjudge me; now and
| always" -,
He bent little toward her, and Just
touched her sleeve with his hand.
us there any way-any possible way
in which l can UNDERESTIMATE s.ss
Dainty touches of pink stole out on
her pale features, and something softened
out the disdainful curl of her pretty Inns.
"You might read some of my stories-
# You could endure them. They are
Then you are very nice-lately; but
- ~. he hesitated and stopped.
Did you read "A Woman's Mercy in
mo. I'm afraid didn't. But will"
ut is1l,t worth vnur notice ,,