Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1902-11-01
CHANGING A CLIMAX.


Thornton slowly uncoiled his
length from the easy chair in which
he had been sitting. stretched himself.
and wIln a lazy sigh remarked. We'll.
I've got 70 Dig back and write a story.
Frank ASHTON looked up with an
amused smile. Does he marry the
girl. he asked. 4 slight sarcasm evil
dent in his tone.
Suppose you take the story" said
Thornton. as Ashton skillfully lodged
the book thrown At him. and find
out. we beer at the machine all the
afternoon. and I'm :ired.'
1T is not necessary. retorted Ash
ten. Il know very well that he does.
II wrote stories like yours | should
feel like matrimonial bureau. Still.
la take il down for you. not from Curl
osiIy. but out of pure friendship
Thornton laughed lazily as he sank
into the chair beside the typewriter
Its merely a commercial necessity
ne explained. as Ashton placed himself
in front Of the keyboard. IF the chap
doesn't marry the girl. you can't sell
the y. Anu WILLIS luc pCaiS
are growing 10 be chestnut bells in
this vicinity. I'd rather have checks
and chestnuts than unhappy enGings
and printed slips commencing. The
editor regrets that the inclosed manu-
script"
ASHTON slipped a piece G: paper in
TO the carrier Go on" he laughed;
hn no -.A he
marry them on
Thornton glanced A. his friend
thoughtfuuy. its for youi own coed
Frank" ne said. and then started in
TO dictate.
Ii proved love story. in which the
nero. cynical. ana rather world-weary
man. loved girl 10 whom he was
afraid to propose. les; the step should
serve only to terminate pleasant
friendship which he lad thoroughly en-
joyed. Ii drew picture of girl hun
CRY for the words of love the hero
withheld. and devised clever situa-
ton iy means of which the real state
of her feelings was exposed. When IL
was finished. Ashton moved back from
the machine and fastened a wire clip
on TIE typewriter sheets.
That was 4 pretty good story. jim"
he admitted. as he 1t fresh cigar.
but you have most unholy habit of
making cory ont of your frien Is. may
be dense. but I'm at lsas; cleye: enough
10 see that you are picturing Ellie
Goodwin and myself The Only differ
ence is that Efie wouldn't marry the
best man on earth. and I'm several de-
grees removed frcrl being the best
man. SGe's SO warped up in her ca
reer that one can't even talk love to
her. let alone propose"
Thornton had returned to the arm
chair and was regarding his friend
with quiet amusement. You're clev-
er at some things. Frank" he said.
but when il comes to knowing Ellie
you display the intelligence of an oys-
ter In spite of your fad for posing as
a man of the world. you're singularly
dense"
What DO you mcan?" asked Ash
ton. quickly. What do YOU know"
Thornton blew out a great cloud of
smoke. Not much. if | let you tell
it, he said. gelially. and if | told you
all | know. you would he wiser than
am. You needn't try 10 pump me,
because I'm not going to say another
word
He lay quietly in the chair. idly
watching Ashton with half-c!osed eyes
as the latter tramped rostlessly around
the library. examining with painful
minuteness the bits of bric-a-brac
with which the apartment was decorat-
ed. Presently he slipped on his coat.
end. catching up his hat. came over
10 where Thornton sat. so long. JIM"
ne said. with a badly assumed air of
carelessness: Tn going to take run
down the street. Will you be down at
the Once tomorrow at 81
Thornton nodded wi,hout speaking.
md moment later the slamming OF
.e outside door announced Ashtons
- departure
Thornton sat for while. revolving
In his mind the plot of a story he
wanted TO take up. and then. sitting
down at the desk. started to lay out
the first draft. Ine family had gone
10 the theatre. and for two hours he
wrote rapidly and without Interrupt
tion. Only the scratching OF the pen
disturbed the stiffness. AT last he
stopped IN the middle of the sheet.
We'll. he said. unccnsciously speak
ing aloud. that will be all right. |
guess. when its polished up. though
it's another one OF those marriages
that are not made in heaven, but are
contracted purely because the editors
insist upon it. | suppose that Ashton
will jeer at 1t. but"
The ringing of the telephone bell
prevented the completion of the SEN
tence. Thornton reached from the re-
ceiver. Yes" he said. this is Thorn
ton. That you. Frank? Certainly. come
right up. shan't go TO bed for an hour
yet. No. you won't disturb me
in the least. I've just finished story
and | want to sit up for Il while to
cool off. Come up, and we'll have
something to drink and biscuit"
Twenty minutes later he answered
r. ring at the bell and admitted Ash
ton. Come right in. Frank" he said:
"the folks are going out to supper af-
IL al