Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1898-06-30
FOR LIFE.
BY N. L. BARRY.
! ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

When Philip Herbert, briehess bar
rister and struggling author, applied
to his friend David Reid for work tC
help him over slack season, he lit
tie thought that he should have such
prompt and bitter occasion to regret
the success of his application. Reid
had obtained commission for him to
collaborate in writing a novel with
a Mrs. Isndicott, a rich young widow
who devoted a considerable portion
of her time to literary work.
This lady, who had been extremely
business-like in arranging terms with
him, soon revealed quality OF tenn
per and disposition which consider
ably aggravated the difficulties and
perpleXites of his work, and only this
morning he had received a note from
her, so eXasperatins in tone, SO
gratuitously aggressive and peremp
tory, that he felt angry with himself
for having submitted so long to the
petulant whims and cnprices Of a
purse-proud and unfceling woman.
Today, however, he would frankly
tell her that their literary partner
ship must cease at once, convinced
that he would inevitably lose all con-
trdl over his temper and openly resent
her conduct unless he adopted that
course.
And the latter contingency was pre-
cisely what he wished to avoid. For
though Mrs. Endicott had occasioned(
him great pain and annoyance he feltI
that he could never forgive himself
for it If he were to speak even rough
ly to her.
Resolved then to announce his with
drawal from this il-starred literary
undertaking, Philip Herbert left his
dismal chambers in the Temple on
the afternoon of bright March day,
and directed his steps to Mrs. Endi-
colts pretty house in Mayfair.
The young widow received him in
the library, where she was seated at
table strewn with sheets of manu-
script, Scarcely deignng to return
his salution, she waved him to chair,
saying in a tone of angry protest.
Really, Mr.. Herbert, you are in
corrigible. In the last installment of
the story which have received from
you find you have deliberately de-
parted from my written instructions,
and from the carefully drawn-up
synopsis of the plot with which /
provided you. This is not the first
nor"
Excuse me, Mrs. Endicott, but will
you kindly tell me in what essential
point have failed to observe your in
Il warned you before" continued
the widow, in the same high pitched
tone, that the love-making in the
story was to be held in check until
we had reached the goth chapter. Yet,
in the 18th, you turn the hero into
mere moon-struck philandering-"
He started to his feet, saying alb
ruptly:
u quite understand you, Mrs. Endi-
colt, and there is no occasion for an
other word Of explanation. | have in
deed come here expressly to tell you
that | must relinquish all further
share in your literary project"
His altered tone and manner SEEM
I'd to embarrass her, and she held her
head down as if anxious to avoid his
gaze.
After moments pause he added, !
while placing five sovereigns and a
slip of paper on the table before her:
II received e25 from you, Mrs.
Endicott. | now return G5 and give
you an undertaking to repay the bal
,nce within three weeks from the
present date, The REIMBURSEMENT of
he work which you engaged me to do
involves, in my opinion, an unwar-
breach of our agreement,
md | must pay forfeit accordingly"
"Oh, Mr.. Herbert hope you'll
lot"
But words were useless now, for the
though somewhat hag-
,ard-looking young man had abrupt
y left the room the moment he had
inished speaking
Ten days after that unpleasant Incl.
ent, the widow called upon Mr.. Reid,
Ter lawyer, a benevolent looking man
II 60, who, instead of greeting Mrs.
,ndicott with his usual CHEEKY smile,
lowed gravely as she entered his
DOM, an unmistakable expression of
isappointment in his shrewd, yet
indy. face.
whats the matter?" she asked
With a familiar nod, for the lawyer
vas an old and valued friend
81 was just now thinking about my
Dung friend, Philip Herbert, and
"The very person that wish to
peak to you about she said quickly,
nd then in few words told him of
lie collapse of her arrangements with
ne vollnr barristpr. a1dinp that she