The Washington times., 1903-08-02
lE AUTHOR AND THE FAIR PHILOSOPHER Blu ELIZABETH KENNH

~ y L. FkoA
from his diary. There was silence in the
room for a few seconds. during which
! the ticking OF the clock became very
| loud Then the Fair Philosopher walked
across the room with full determination
IN her eye and took down her hat. With
a thrill OF terror the Author realized
her purpose at last.
"You-you're not going TO leave me-"
he implored.
I'm afraid I must Tin her voice was
mock regret). Now that the editors are
beginning to bid for such wares as
have 10 offer IL will not do for me TO be
confronted by too distraeting-er-mas-
culine charms"
Where under heaven"-began the
author IN amazement But her next
words solved tie riddle.
your diary, from which you asked
me to make an extract, you know, is in
the left hand pigeonhole Of your desk"
The Author groaned. He saw Il all
now
But you mustn't leave me in this
way" he demonstrated as she proceeded; .
to stab her hat determinedIy with hat
pins ''Where-who-"
She turned upon him. "Oh, doa't
know where and I don't know whos ] .
only know that he shall be a near forty
as may be. but neither fat nor fair, no.
indeed"
"oh." the Author cried. squiruinE.
have you 10 mercy?'
Her answer was ''Good-by."
"win nothing induce you to retain
your position?"
Nothing; good-by.''
lone moment; leave me some address.
tell me where you live. at least" hs
begged.
''In an express wagon ct this moment
I'm moving. Good-by."
But you shall not leave me in this
way. You must"
Rendered desperate by her hand on
the knob. no sprang between her and
the door. The space was naturally lin-
tied, and-well, he proceeded TO damon
strate the falsity OF the axiom that two
bodies cannot occupy the same space
at the same time; purely IN the in
terest OF science, of course. It was the
moment usually indicated IN romances
by asteTisks. After it had passed the
Fair Philosopher threw back her head
TO look ct him There was a CLEAN of
white between her scarlet lips and the
sparkle Of mischief returned TO her eyes.
We'll. as was saying" she began.
'Yes?" inquired the Author. politely.
at the close OF another asterisk period.
"As l was saying, good-by."
But there were reasons why she
should not carry out her threat
Presently the Author remarked. drop
ping into generaIities:
What kind of provision OF nature Is
that by which a mans arm measures
the same number of inches as a woman's
waist?"
BY the way" remarked the Fair
do you usually adopt this
method of retaining your employees when
they give notice-by force of arms? It
is effective. I confess, but
1t was really the Fair Philosophers
fault for tempting him to put into prec-
tice a certain siiencing process known
to authors-and some other men
Presently they emerged from the
other side of the asterisks and reached
a point where the eyes OF the reader are
to be able TO meet those OF the
hero once more without embarrassment
TO either.
What are you going TO do now that
you are out OF position?" asked the
Author, coming back to earth and be-
ginning to talk sense. or rather, ceas-
ng that nonsense beside which the pro-
'oundest sense is but chat.
I'm not out OF a position said the
Fair Philosopher, coolly; i've simply
resigned one to accept another-as
for family OF two"
This was after the day had been set.
by the way" she remarked. after
,ause. There is condition attached
o this agreement" The Author sig
nifed his willingness 70 agree 20 any
condition.
Then sit down and write at my dicta-
ion"
She pointed to the desk. where hs
bedientiy seated himself. She leaned
over him. one hand on his shoulder and
strand of golden hair escaped and fell
gainst his cheek. He stopped TO salute
his sweet intruder.
NO. no. she said sternly; ''that Is
ot business-like. am debating TO you.
ow remember. Write to that man
know him, the worst talker
md best illustrator IN town'-well,
7on't then. but just write, 7 apol-
'gize.'