The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-03-20

as the book was called, to a prominent
publisher. He offered no explanation,
leaving IL 10 be inferred that he was the
author. There would be time enough la
ter, he argued. to do the right thing.
That was ten months ago, and now a
splendid offer had boon received and ac-
cepted for the book, and ii was TO be pub
lished almost Immediately.
1T is certain TO be the literary event OF
the year wrote the publisher, In a let
ter accompanying the proofs, "and l be-
lieve that The Touchstone OF Life will
place you st once In the foremost rank OF
our fiction writer's"
Will place your Mayne's face was
shsstly as he rolled and lit a cigarette.
There was something to be said for him.
perhaps. No sordid consideration entered
into the question. for he was the son OF
well-to-do people IN the Midlands. and he
had more than comfortable income OF
his own. But above all things, he crsved
literary fame and that the book his
friend had written could give him. He
had put aside the novel he was writing
himself, having temporarily wearied Of
IT, and he knew that IL was not half 80
good as THE Touchstone OF life"
Il can't do IL, he thought. II can't
let myself fall 40 low as that. But it's
an awful temptation. What does IL mat
ter. anyway? Poor old Dick is dead. and
IL he knew he would be glad that he
could give ma what have always longed
for-whst money IL powerless to buy
Literary fame at leap. BY heavens.
have IL within my grasp"
Mayne eased his conscience for the mo-
ment by postponing the ultimate and in
evitablc decision. though he felt in the
end the tempter must conquer. He was
going down 90 Norfolk I'm day or two
TO spend a week on a friends pleasure
wherry, and he concluded 10 take The
Touchstone of Life with him ana revise
IL at his leisure. Ife put the bundle OF
proofs into his bag, and then, remem-
herlng several matters that wanted at
tention, he crossed tho Temple and Fleet
street 10 Cnancery lane. On the first
floor OF a dingy building he found Miss
Carlton at her desk. She WAS a very
pretty girl. tall and graceful, with won
derful eyes that matched the deep, rich
brown or her fluffy hair: snd that she
had plenty OF pluck, ana the ability TO
grapple with the question of womens
employment. was shown by the skill with
which sho conducted a typewriting bu-
reau founded and owned by herself. From
an inner room, where two assistants
were hard at work, sounded the rapid
clicking OF keys.
Good morning. MIR. Mayne." said Vio-
let Carlton. 1T you have come for those
two snort stories, they are ready Tor YOU.
I have been getting ahead with my copy
INK. as / am about 90 take a short holi-
day"
II am sure you deserve a." Mayne re-
piled. swkwsrdly. lie was IN no hurry
20 be OF. lie would have preferred To
linger, hoping--as he had vainly hoped
OF many past occasions the pretty
typewriter would throw of the air OF
cold business reserve which always seem
cd 10 hedge her about. 70 was not as N
they were strangers; she had been doing
his copying FOR more than year Yet
why did she per-istently refuse 10 un-
bends why deny him IN opportunity
OF knowing nor more Intimately
II trust tho weather Will continue
good" he remarked. Il am taking n
holiday myself"
Indeed"
with that tho girl bent her head over
a page or writing. and Mayne, stuffine
his MSS. into his pocket. bade her good
morning. and left the room. For an I'M
etsnt. ss she glanced ct his retresting
figure. there was a look In her eyes that
might have brought him back had he OBJ
served a.
In no pleasant humor Msyns returned
leisurely 70 the Temple I'm q fool" he
reflected. "to keep on hoping thst there
be any chance for me IN that quarter. I
wish rsd never seen Violet Carlton. All
these rests ! h.vs been heart free. or