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

| straight, and thought l had better
be looking at something, so | snatchet
up the first book came across"
The young lady novelist laughed
The boys candor pleased her, and OIL
looking at him attentively for the first
time she observed that he was goot
looking and a gentleman.
81 understand perfectly" she said
"Now. what can | give you for youl
article? ! have been interviewed SC
often lately that | am afraid there is
nothing new to get"
Il think there is" said Max. 'if you
don't mind telling it to me. None OF
the interviews with you that have APP
peared up to the present time have
given anything of yourself. We have
heard all about your books, and your
friends, and your rooms, and your
hours of work, but not word of your
own self, your early life. your home,
your thoughts, your But perhaps
you don't care to talk about these
things?"
Miss King had risen from her chair
and was now toying, rather nervously
with an ornament on the mantelpiece
For one thing" she said, without
looking at Max. Il have never been
asked to speak of these matters be-
fore"
I'm sorry" said Eden. wondering
whether she was annoyed with him
or merely nervous.
"Oh I'm not angry" she replied,
looking at him with a smile for which
he would have sacrificed two friendly
editors and a guileless publisher.
Only, do you think the public cares to
know"
ooh, bother the public!" said Max
impulsive.y, rising also and taking up
a strategic position behind a chair.
"And what about the Avenue Maya
zine?" said Margaret, looking at her
rather curiously.
Eden reflected for a moment, and
then took the bit between his teeth.
81 was going to say bother the Ave
hue Magazine as WELL" he confessed;
but that would be unfair. as it was
through it that | managed to meet
YOU"
"You are a very polite interviewer"
said Miss King, wondering little what
would come next.
"Oh, | know You are laughing at
me- Max exclaimed desperately, rails
ing his head and looking her in the
face. But l am not mercy trying to
De gallant. You may call it pre-
I suppose it is, as you are
| successful novelist and I am only |
/ hack writer; but when I say that il
5 pleasure to me to meet you, even
IN these terms. mean it,"
Margaret was not laughing now.
She was playing with the ornament on
he mantelpece again and wishing |
'ather that somebody would come into
he room.
And / mean more than that" Eden
vent on, encouraged by her silence,
I mean that for days and weeks and
nonths-ever since-since | read your
asst book"-he noticed a slight flush
Keeping round her neck-"I have
onged to know you as a friend, and
y
nire your work. /"
Miss King turned toward him, and
Ter face was very grave.
Pardon my interrupting you" she
aid, but understood that you wished
o see me on business. Had we
OF better get on with the inter
lew? Or. if you have changed your
lind about that, perhaps you will al
wv me to attend to my work"
lie understood the rebuke, but stood
is ground firmly.
Give me two minutes" he said. 81
oppose | shall never have a chance of
oealling to you like this again" l
She pondered for a moment, irreso- !
tie, and then dropped into a chair.
ain a life like mine" said Max, there
re few refinements. \ young journal
t cannot, as a rule, afford to marry.
e lives by himself, or with another
IAN, in chambers: he feed at restaur-
nts; he spends his evenings-if not
his office-in theaters or music halls.
he feminine influences that n fellow
wing at home or a married man has ;
he benefit of do not fall to the lot of
lie unattached man in chambers. He
ilks to his laundress in the morning
nd a barmaid at night, but otherwise !
S social circle is mainly composed of |
ross males"
And so he consoles himself by in Z
rviewing ladies?" said Margaret,
aiding, for the tenth time, a soap adj
on the back of magazine.
such an occupation is not always :
lie of pure joy" Eden replied. feeling
ore at home when she rallied him like