The Topeka state journal., 1901-07-25
The Novelist, and an Episode

IGilbert Dale. in Pittsburg Dispatch-l
1t was a perfect spring afternoon, and
q little party OF three, aH no9hee4 tpe traci- ~
that leads from Cape Spartei 10 1an-
gier.
Grierson, the novelist, allowed the
reins to drop round his animafs neck
and proceeded to roll a cigarette. by
his side rode an upright, elderly man
with close cropped hair ana a Keen
face, and the third member of the par
a young girl of about 20, was some %
yards ahead.
TT has been a frst-class sort. Of day.
observed the elder man. Celia and
owe you a debt of gratitude for having
looked after US this week in Tangier-
'sThe luck has been on my s1de! re-
turned Grierson, with laugh You
see, came over here 1rom Gibraltar as
a certain young persons society was
exercising depressing influence upon
did she bore you2' asked Ardell-
'sThe reversed She has charmed me
more than any other girl for a longer
period than / like to think The point
is that her parents insist on her having
nothing to do with me-which at least
shows they are not wanting in gooU,
sound, common SenSei
Ardeli laughed, and gazed contem-
plative1y on the surrounding stretcn OF
u could put in another month here
well. but I'm afraid it would hardly suit
Celia he said. with nod toward the
trim figure riding in front of them
rs she in a huge hurry to see Eng
land?v asked Grierson. He knew
little of his companions history He
was wealthy Australian sheep FARMER
who had lately sold his run, and de-
termined on a visit to England
mot SO much that, but eagerness to
meet the man
'sOh. is she in love- too?" he said with
a sigh -
the farm as manager. He was with Us
about five years, a decent sort of fel-
low, a gentleman by birth-you meet
good many of that sort up and down
the runs in the bush," said Ardeu.
Eventually he fell in love with Celia
and asked my consent; I liked the chap
and gave it. Then one day came a let
ter telling him there had been a big
snap in his family chain and that he
had stepped into an estate and money
in England"
'I know nodded the novelist. I've
used him in a good many of my books
SO he went and you are following2'' he
added with a smile.
Yes, he said he would return and
fetch Celia when things were settled up
a bit But shortly after he had gone 1
suddenly took it into my head that
had done about enough work for ons
mans life so sold the farm and brought
the girl away on this trip. .',Ardell laugh
ed. It'll be somewhat of a surprise to
him--you see. there wasn't time to
write, SO he doesn't know we're COM
ingi''
Presently Grierson urged his mule in
to a gentle trot and succeeded in get
ting level with Celia
Il thought I'd just like to congratu-
late you.'' he began
A touch of color few to the girls
cheeks and her eyes glistened-she
made a wonderfully pretty picture, he
thought
Are you interested in love affairs?''
she asked with smile.
My dear young lady. I've been vain
ly trying to invent a new one ever since
/ first began to writei' he exclaimed.
Then his tone changed Nov, please
tell me all about him-fs he as near
perfection as a mere man can be?"
Il don't know about Archie being
that she answered with a laugh. But
he is the man love- and nothing else
matters much, does it 2''
Absolutely nothingl But wissS your
opinion was more UNIVERSAL he added
with a sigh, as he thought of the young
person in the party he had left at Gil
braltar-
An idea seemed to strike him, for
quick light came into his eyes
Does Archie" he began, then paus-
ed. By the way, I hardly like this re-
ferring to him as Archie: it seems so
horribly familiar. What is his other
name?"
"Trevor-Archiba1d Errington Ire
vor." she said, with a laugh.
I've been trying to get alongside of
delPs voice from behind. do, for
goodness sake, rein in your thorough
bred for a moment. Cellar
The girl. with a laugh, turned round
to him and waited. Grierson rode on
and kept a little ahead of the others
for the rest of the way. His face was
unusually grave and he seemed buried
in thought
They reached the town and, wishing
to do some shopping, he separated from
his companions. When at length The
also arrived at the hotel he caught
sight of tall good-lookfng young
man standing in the hall; he was chat
ting to a girl at his side. Grierson gave
start. then hurried towards them.
This is the very absurdi" he ex-
claimed as he shook hands with the
girl Il left you to go on to Seville
and Madrid. not to follow me here"
Lady Constance laughed
I'VE started, but father was so ter
rtbly anxious to get a glimpse of Mo-
rocco that at length we had to give
in-so here we are"
She moved toward the staircase
Mother was a little unset with the
crossing; I am just going to see how
she is getting on, then viii return" she
said with q little smiling nod Of fare
we'll.
Grierson watched her disappear. then
turned to the young man and, linking
his arm ith his, drew him to an alcove
in which there was a seat.
You know, it's really too bad of you
to bother me in this wayi" he said re-
proachfully. But there's no alterna-
tive-I feel bound to tell you what an
awful scoundrel I think youi"
His companion looked at him IN won
der What on earth has happened,
Grierson?" he cried
The novelist opened his mouth to
arlaa L hut nausea he ca11nrhf afarlf