Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1901-08-10

could possibly be the author.
The intense human interest main
tanned from start to finish was pointed
out as absolute proof that the book
was the work of a certain writer,
famed for that sort of thing.
These discussions only served to
keep public interest in the book at
fever heat, and the sales increased,
rather than diminished.
While the controversy still waged,
a reporter for the Daily Harpoon was
assigned to report a fire which had
originated in the plant of the publish
ers of THE Little Lady of the Tene-
ment." While the reporter was yet
a block distant from the conf1agration,
a piece of paper, which had arisen with
the smoke from the burning building
and had been carried by the wind,
dropped at his feet. Partly through
curiosity and partly because of the in
nate instinct of his profession, the re-
porter picked it up and put it in his
pocket. An hour later, having a little
leisure, he took the paper out of his
pocket and spread it upon his desk
in the Harpoon Office.
When he discovered that the docu-
ment was a copy of the contract be-
thor of ''The Little Lady of the Tene-
ment" he fairly jumped out of his
chair in his establishment A few mo-
ments later he was closeted with the
city editor of his paper and was
promptly sent to obtain an interview
with the Silent Man.
That afternoon he knocked on the
door of a rear room on the third floor
of a tenement. Receiving no re-
Spouse, he enquired of the landlady
where the occupant of the room could
be found.
"Out at Greenwood, most likely"
she said. He spends the most of his
time out there. sitting beside the grave
of Old Simpsons daughter, who died
year ago."
To Greenwood the reporter went,
and there he found the Silent Man.
'You are the author of The Little
| Lady of the Tenement I believe" he
said.
The Silent Man was plainly annoyed
at the question. but finally replied:
81 am the writer of the book; the
| inspiration lies here, sir, under the
sod
.It is a wonderful work." said the
| reporter, deferentially.
IF it isl replied the Silent Man,
sadly. ''it is only because the warm
blood of my heart goes pulsing through
every sentence Sir. it is the life story
of the truest and best woman who ever
lived-my little angel with the dreamy
| eyes of hope
why do you prefer to keep the au-
thorship a secret?" ventured the re-
porter. ''It will make you famous"
| he 70
cit is the true story of her love, OF
her devotion. of her sacrifices. To re-
veal the authorship would make me
famous, as you say. but it would also
lay bare the sacred confidence of my
lost love. That would be a dishonor
| sir, that no temptation would Undue,
me to commit"
When the reporter returned to hi.
Office with his story, his veins tinglins
with the realization Of his scoop, b,
found the literary editor talking to tn,
city editor.
And you say 1T was through a ca
lamity suffered by the publishers tina
the identity of the author of The Lit
tie Lady of the Tenement was discov
ered?" asked the Liter airy editor.
YES" replied the city editor. CURLY
Then" resumed the literary editor
emphatically, 81 most decidedly protes
against using the knowledge thu
gained. 1t would be a breach of homo
of which the Harpoon should neve
be guilty"
1T is a bit of important news" re
piled the city editor. Fate threw ]
into our hands and 1 believe the Har
poon should profit by this stroke @
good luck"
I'VE win submit the matter to tn