The citizen., 1902-04-04

forth Alice's laughing challenge From
that moment Mr. Remington" as he
was dubbed by the two bachelor maids,
held a new interest. He might mean
Il toothSome cake or box of candied
fruit
Alice edited the woman's page of an
afternoon paper and occasionally went
down town ON the same car as did the
man of the typewriter. Beyond these
infrequent encounters fate did nothing
to hasten a settlement of the wager
until a sudden cold snap arrived and
Frances, returning from the art school,
Slipped and almost fell on the icy side
walk.
Feeling a strong grip on her arm, she
looked up to meet the magnetic gaze
of Mr.. Remington.
NO damage done, is there?' he ask
ed eheeriy.
She WINGED as she took a step for
ward.
Il AIN afraid I've turned my ankle"
Take ny arm" he suggested, noting
her white lips. IF | am not mistaken,
you live in this block"
"Four-uinety- y-two," she assented, 'if
you will be SO good"
1t was pleasant to lean on the strong
arm and ease the injured ankle. He
helped her carefully up the stairs, and
Alice fairly gasped when she met them
in the tiny private hall.
"Is there nothing more that l can
do" he asked as he deposited her on
the sofa-"arnica, witch hazel, lini-
ment any pet remedy to be had at the
druggists? Pray. command me-"
"There is nothing. thank you, Mr.
Hooper" he prompted, Frederick
Hooper
"AIr. Hooper," Frances continued II
am greatly obliged to you for your
courtesy"
MAY l drop in tomorrow and see
how you are?" he asked rather eagerly
as he picked up his hat.
I'VE should be very glad to have
you." said Alice cordially, and when
the door in the hall below slammed
she danced back to Frances.
II am afraid you win," she shouted
at the sufferer. I'm sure it's nothing
less than a collection of essays on the
higher life. He's dear"
The next afternoon, true 10 his word,
Mr.. Hooper called to inquire for the
invalid and slipped quite naturally into
the Morris chair. Drinking tea and
munching thin bread and butter. he
changed the very aspect Of the room.
lie sounded the masculine note their
den had lacked before.
Alice. whose bump of curiosity had
grown in journalistic circles. was
frankly inquisitive.
I'VE have often noticed you across
the way" she said. you are at your
machine so constantly that Miss Nor
ton declares you must be writing the
coming novel;"
Hooper laughed frankly. boylshly.
"Yes, | write novels" he admitted
'the kind my readers pronounce bully
am under contract to grind out a
dime novel a week"
This was worse than railway guides.
Frances fell to studying the wall paper
pattern.
"You see" he ran on. 81 need tho
money. It's easy work and well paid
wouldn't you rather write real
novelsY' persisted Alice.
"Well, yes, if it would pay as WELL
but when a man has to make money
literature is classed with luxuries."
'If one has an invalid mother to sup
port or a sister to educate" suggested
Alice musingly, but he interrupted
briskly:
Nothing of the sort. I'm alone in
the world; haven't even first cousins.
But when | came to town l had fine
stock of ideals which gradually melted.
l wrote verse that was pronounced fair
and for which | got as high as So
when | sold it. Likewise l wrote es-
says, which / never sold. / had the
manuscript of historical romance
too. l have that yet. Then man for