The times., 1898-04-24
HIS FAIR CONTRIBUTOR.
Rrom the Chicago Jouruel.l

(From the Chicago Journ9l
Dorothy Bacton rose from her writing
table and walked to the window. The
gloom Of the November day had begun
early. In the square bare trees were
dimly discernibIe through a yellow mist,
snd-f from the houses around lamps and
Easights shone murkily.
An hour ago she had taken up her
pen to write the most difficult chapter
OF her story An hour ago she had an
idea for the chapters developments its
initial sentence sounded in her ears,
splendid solid paragraphs shaped them
selves to the number Of words neces-
sary for its completion. That was be-
fore the Friday organ unwound itself
on her side Of the square; before the
operas, balls and after-dinner drawing
rooms foated through the mist in re-
morseless succession.
The fog was thickening. the lights
round the square were growing redder
and smaller. and those blank, premium
b,red pages lay dismally upon the ta
ble. She stirred the fire vigorously
and stared at the liberated flames as
they danced joyfully in the CRATE.
Dorothy Bacton had been married
six years. Why she married Hugh
BactOn no one knew. He wasn't clever,
he wasn't beautiful, he wasn't good,
he wasn't even rich: while she herself
had generously supplied all these re-
Quisites for a happy home. Hugh was
something in the city. OF the precise
nature Of his professional duties in that
mysterious place she was unaware.
The only fact which was kept clearly
before her was that her husband was
very important person, and was urgent
ly engaged every evening Of the week
upon extraordinary business commit
tees.
She had married Hugh because she
had loved him: il was a simple eXplana-
ton, SO simple that it took but few
minutes Of retrospection 10 recall it.
she had loved him with all her heart,
and now she did not love him any
more.
Her loneliness was beginning to wear
her out. to paralyze her brain, ener-
vate her viii.
No one-no one in the world, she
said, and then she poked her fire once
more and looked out at the thickening
fog. for deep down in her heart. she
knew there was Cne who would come if
she sent him but the faintest whisper
OF appeal she looked far away through
the fog-far away TO sunny land to
roses and blue seas, to vague. unspsak-
able happiness.
Downstairs. on the house door, the
knocker sounded vigorously.
He wants money; no wonder"
She took OUT her purse TO find coin
adequate TO the interruption the
musician had occasioned-
Il think ne should be killed" she said,
as the door opened.
Indeed! Who is it? Tell me. and
III do il at once"
Dorothy turned quiskly and laughed.
while a tai figure groped its way
through a sea Of furniture 10 her side
j thought YOU We're the organ man,
and / was telling the maid to have him
killed. He has played all the afternoon
and ruined my story
I've come for the story"
1T isn't finished
How much have you dOne2'
I've come TO the last chapter but
one"
The most difficuIt?'
Yes. The most difficult Of all There
il is on the table
She pointed TO the unwriten chapter
Lawrence Harvey was editor of the
New Magazine He looked disappoint-
ed as he saw the blank pages Then
he smiled as he sat down beside her.
Il wanted il today, but you can fin
ish ii by the end Of the week."
She shook her head.
Il don't know how 10 finish it,
He turned TO her in Sglrprisp
But-but-Ch, this is the fog. You
VIII 90 on easily again when the ail
clears. ] must have the last chapters
you know, in this number"
But I'm afraid you can't"
The editor Of the New Magazine look
cd uneasy.
What is the difficulty"
i don't know in the least what my
heroine is going to do
Didn't you think the story out as a
whOle?"
Yes. but she won't do the things ]
planned she should do; she has sudden
ly developed into a new. creature over
whom / have no control"
What has happened TO make her So
unmanageabIe?"
she has realized that-that--"
Dorothy did not finish her sentence
What has she realized? p
The editor leaned forward and look
ed earnestly al his contributor, but sh.
did not answer his question.
What has she realized?'f he asked
again. We are friends"
Dorothy picked up bundle Of neatl!
typed manuscript which lay on the Ia
BILE beside the Tebellious chapter
Through all these pages" she saiC
slowly, as she ran her fingers acros.
the edges Of the paper. my heroint
has suffered patiently, but she has de
cided now that she viii suffer no more
and. il she does not suffer she vii
have TO act-as ] did not wish her L
actin my original plan"
-WeIl2''
4 do not know what form to let hei
rebellion take. There are. Of course
several sorts Of tragedy open to her
She might easily die-oh. very. very
easily-that would be nice safe ending
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