Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1901-07-04
6he Way Stories
NAANs Black and White. I

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"Well?" l asked as she lay down the
gaily-covered magazine. l was sorry
for the ending of the tale. when the
lips to CULVER.
ut is a pretty story, Mr.. Norton
She said. 90, no, you needn't shake |
your head I'm not saying so just be-
cause it's yours. cannot imagin5 how
you could write it,"
Pen and inh whisky and soda, tail
or's bill as a stimulus!'
please don't make fun. ] want to !
be Serious When she looks at me in
her earnest way am helpless.
Does that mean criticisrn?" / in
quired, leaning a little towards her.
CRITICISM and inquiry-if | may?"
Inquiry ny all means. I'm rather
afraid of your criticism, do you know"
She is Very bright, and her remarks Of
ten help me, as a matter of iact.
She opened and shut the magazine
ubsently
What | was Wondering" she said.
was why you wrote so seriously. and
talked so frivolousls; whether one
mood WAS the real you, and the other
q sham you; and which waa which,"
Il think" l protested. II would
rather have the criticism, if you don't
mind.'
She laughed softly j like her laugh.
ut is rather an obtrusive question.
But should very much like to know.
You do mean this"--she touched the
boos-"a little, don't you?"
'Ye-es." l said, II suppose i do l
did when I wrote 1t, anyhow"
And afterwards?'
Il keep my seriousness for serious
occasions.
(which is a rebuke for my nqti;si-
tiveness, SUPPOSE" She flushed a lit
tie. She is rather pale generally. Some
people wouldn't call her good looking
/ do
Il didn't mean to be-" L apologized.
II ought to be flattered at your inter
est"
In your tales" she corrected
In my tales, of course. suppose
the real answer is. that do not carry
my heart upon my sleeve
But you have one all the same?" A
| touch of usefulness makes her voice
perfect.
Try / caught her eyes for mo
ment and stopped. had made up my
! mind to keep heart-whne before 4
met her
Now for the criticism" she contin-
I ued hastily.
"or as large an instalment as ] can
| stand"
'"rhe criticism must not be misuna.r-
stood. You VIII remember please. that
/ | like the tale--like 1t very much In
I fact" ! bowed.
The criticism is-?"
That 1T is a repetition of your other
tales" gasped.
Why thought it was quite differ
st,t,<
characters. fresh scenery, new plot,
original phrases
The machinery is different but the
story is really the same"
/ I'm what way? In being about a
man and a woman?"
/ Yes" laughed.
IF you can invent a third kind OF
person. l said. "I'll utilize 1t with
pleasure. At present 1 haven't made
the discovery"
Don't be absurd What mean is
THAT your men and women always d,
the same thing.
Fall in love-"
There are lots OF ways of doing It,
] :.uggested.
AT the present rate you win soor
exhaust them. Whatever viii you do
then?"
i lit cigaret, with her permission
To sid reflection.
I'm hanged ii ! know. I've Otter
OF love. ] suppose"
And when you've exhausted that?'
Make them fall In again," SIN
stamped her foot impatiently
DO you absolutely refuse TO lie orig
jnal? / cannot lhipk so;I do you,sel
Justice In Keeping to such {: lacleneyc,
theme--though admit you do it yer.
nicelyn