The Canton times. (Canton, Miss.) 1893-1906, 1900-11-16

He gazed at her b1ankly for a mo-
ment, as though hardly realizing he
was to be dismissed thus curtly. Then,
in feeble kind of way, he picked up
| his hat and moved toward the door.
AS he was going, something in his
manner appealed to the girl more than
his words had done. They had seemed
to her to smack more of the hack
writer than the passionate lover. But
as she noted a certain stoop of his
shoulders and caught a glimpse of his
| face, it occurred to her that he might,
| after ALL be sincere in his protestations.
| She would not have been woman if
| she had let him leave like that.
"Oh," she said, and stopped abruptly.
1t was not very much, but it made
him turn round with suggestion of
hope in his expression.
She did not look at him, but spoke
hurriedly.
1T is just possible" she began, that
there may be something of truth
in what you have said. If so am sorry
for treating it-lightly."
He was silent, but his very silence
went to convince her of his sincerity.
"If you knew anything about me-"
she continued, perhaps you would not
have come at ALL There is a secret but
it is not my secret only. l suppose,
however, | can trust you?"
"You can," he said, quietly, and the
tone of his voice told her so much that
the blood surged up into her cheeks.
Il think can" she said; land in tell
ing you this | am doing it for your own
sake. You would have me believe that
you-like me-for my work."
He nodded, wondering much what
was to come next
Then you may be interested to
KNOW" she went on a little bitterly,
that the books you refer to were not
written by me at ALL"
But you are Margaret King" ex-
claimed Eden, amazed at the confess
sion.
II am Margaret King" she replied,
land ! am received in society as a cele-
brated authoress. | go to dinners, ba-
Ears, and meetings in the same char
acter. and receive interviewers. There
my business ends. Come here" she
added. Il will introduce you to your
kindred soul"
Max WINGED at the stab, but followed |
her to an alcove before which heavy
was draped. Margaret drew |
aside a curtain and revealed table. |
On the table stood a photograph.
Listen" she said, ito the voice of
your charmcr."
She touched a lever, and the instru-
nent was set working. Immediately |
there came out from the transmitter
A slowly spoken and carefully punctu-
lted sentence, the language and phras-
ng of which at once reminded Eden
IF the works with which he was sc
familiar. But the voice was the voice
IF an old man.
Almost Immediately Margaret
stopped the machine and drew the cur
ain again over the alcove.
There" she said, sis Margaret King,
he novelist. | am merely the fleshly
representative of that exalted person.
lge. | need not tell you the reasons
or this collaboration of ours. 1t is
that the public buy the books
low," she concluded. looking up at him
With little smile, Il would advise YOU
o go and seek another kindred soul"
Max thought the matter over for
moment, and then he, in his turn,
flushed furiously.
Look here he blurted out, "you
aust have thought me an awful fool!"
Il did, rather!" was the dcmure re-
ly.
And you will think me worse one
ow, To tell the truth, | think it would
lake a difference if she happened to
e old and plain"
Then it was not altogether matter
( the soul?" said Miss King, wickedly.
NO" said Eden, humbly, lit was
ou.'
"Good-by," said the girl, holding out
er hand.
MAKE it 'au revoir,'" he pleaded.
She kept him waiting, as a self-re- ,
Decting girl always does.
"Au revoir, then" she said, at last I
Now you must CO." /
And you will forgive me for not fall I
lg in love with your soul?" he asked, {
ausing in the doorway.
THAT is my business" said Margaret. I
emily closing the door. G
And Max did not remember until he S
as back in his chambers, that he had S
OF got line of copy for the Avenue {
agazine.-Sketch.
Monument Nenr Sahara Desert. 4