New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-10-14
MARGARET'S BUSINESS.

H. tIe Insild had disappeared he sped swift
ly and noiselessiy across the room to the
oEer-ma1tel, where he surveyed himself for the
fftieth time that day, pulled savageIy at
his tie and carefully adjusted a small wisp
Of hair that seemed inclined to stray
across his forehead. II is a pity that
Master Max acted thus. partly because he runs
the risk Of being thought conceited by the ladies
who read this story, and partly because young
journalist who has been sent by magazine to
interview a celebrated lady novelist should al
ways spend the time that the subject allows
him before making an effective entrance in tax
ing notes OF The signed photographs. auto
graphed novels and presentation clocks that
have been sedulously strewn about the room for
his benefit.
Eden had been long enough in Fleet Street to
know his business, but when the interviewer
happens t. BE- desperately in love with the
lady he has come TO write up he is apt to for
get the rules Of MS trade in an Overwhelming
desire to create good impression on her. Many
nights had Max sax Up in his chambers alter
nateiy gazing Miss Margaret Kings portrait
in the centre of the mantelpiece and rereading
stray passages in her novels that he already
knew by heart
The o5d part of the matter was that until he
wrote TO her for the interview the beautiful
Miss Margaret had never heard of Master Eden
al all Even now he no more to her than
any other Of the many press gentlemen who
called upon her AT all hours and in all places
and whom for business reasons it was expedient
70 see
But hee All, Al how many first nights had
he admired-from the pit-the back Of her head,
How often had hA-from corner in the Park
caught sight of her profile she flashed by in
her carriage, How well he remembered the
day that she dropped her purse in Bond-st and
he. ia handing it hack TO her, had had the ex-
QUisite pleasure of seeing both her eyes at once,
But young and lovely she was it was not
Tor her beauty that Max loved the lady novelist
madly. No. a thousand 1im=s no. 1t was her
soul, the true depth OF which was only revealed
in the t-nderest and most exquisite portions of
her works. in which he found that satisfying
sense Of affinity for which mis- artistic tempera-
ment had been yearnins over since he had dis
coyered-nearly six months before-that he had
such a thing about him.
He was stiH engaged with the refractory wisp
Of hair when Miss King came into the room
He did not hear the door open, but caught
sight Of the lady in the glass just in time to
swing rouno and pick up a little book that lay
on table near at hand.
M Eden. of The Avenue Magazine I be-
Ieve." said the novelist. Please sit down.
am sorry TO have kept you. I had some i'm
portant business with nay publishers in connec-
ton with my forthcoming novel"
Not all" said Max. dropping into
Try low chair, and ferventIy hoping that he
~ not showing any bare leg between the top
Of mis- socks ana the bottom of his trousers.
7 have been studying this interesting little
book Of yours. Perhaps you viii let me make
an extract from it,"
1t looks ike my hankbook,7 said Margaret
smiling slightly and holding out her hand for
the volume I thought ] had left it some
where So glad you found it interesting"
The last VAS said by way Of a little joke, and
with the kind intention Of putting him at his
ease: but Eden took II for a snub and inwardly
cursed himself by all the gods of Fleet Street
I'm awfulIy sorry" he exclaimed. The fact
was that when you came in I was-well I was
putting my hair straight, and I thought ! had
better be looking at something. so I snatched
up the first book / came across"
The young lady novelist laughed The boys
candor pleased her. and looking at him
aftentively for the first time she observed
that ne was good looking and a gentleman.
y understand perfectly" she said. Now.
what can l give you for your article1 have
been interviewed so often lately that I am
afraid there is nothing TO get"
y think there is" said Max, IF you don't
mind telling It me. None Of the interviews with
You that have appeared up to the present time
have given anything Of yourself. We have heard
all about your books and your friends, and
,yoy,r rooyns and y0ur hours Of work but not a