New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-08-07
Concerning Poet and HIS Career.
BY HAROLD OHLsoN.

Godfrey Dene leaned against the iron fence
that fringed the cliff and gazed over the sea-
He would have preferred to sit on the top rail-
but the house not sufficiently far away
Ordinary men might sit on fences; he must al
ways lean gracefully. He was a poet He had
published a book full-as full the margin
would permit-of poetry II was extensively
pound, and the paper Of the best quality II
mad book marker of pink silk ribbon
II was published at his own expense
on this sunny afternoon he had wished to
sleep in hammock that farseeing hostess
had caused to be hung in a shady part OF the
the horrible thought that Grace Heathcote might
discover him. And he slept with his mouth
open He knew it, He had even written
poem about II; how 1.-The poets heart forever
acheS! random word so often wakes, his
secret sorrow Some people thought he had
loved and lost He was really thinking of sleep
ing with his mouth open
So he had resisted the temptation. and now he
was confident that Miss HeathCOte was watch
ing MIN from the window Of her room and Won
dering what beautiful thoughts were cOursing
through his brain as he looked over the sea. If
ne could have seen that young lady-as, of
course under the circumstances. he could not
ne would have been less satisfied. for she was
Ginning on couch in the solitude of her cham
asleep.
Her mouth was not open
II was at this period of mis- existence that
Godfrey Dene realized that at last the grand
passion had come to him. He had. of course
been in love before His heart had been broken
in several verses-many times Such expert
ences are the breath Of life 10 poet. But now
over the murmuring sea. His eyes flashed. Gle
mad practised this accomplishments
It was a thousand pities Miss Heathcote slept
Oniy the sea observed that superb gesture-the
attitude of man who turns to meet advancing
tate And the sea was so busy filling the rock
pools and hurrying up the beach so that it
might not be late for high water that it did
not notice il.
Presently the sun dropped lower and streamed
into his face. He trembled at the thought that
it might turn his nose red. So he began to walk
slowly back to the house his eyes bent on the
ground. This was his favorite attitude The
poetry that nature writes he did not read. All
his ideas welled from his own heart
He had said so several times.
Before he reached the house he met Mr..
Heathcote.
"HuIlo, Dene." said he. you're the first per-
son I've seen since luncheon. Everybody's
asleep Phew! 1t is hot
The poet raised his eyes Qarge. lustrous and
full of fire..
I have been watching the sea- he said. smf-
Ing sadly. He knew how impossible it
fer this man to understand him.
You'll oyerwork yourself if you're not care
full remarked Mr.. HeathcOte
They proceeded to the house together. Mr..
HeathCote walked fast. Dene hated walking
fast. Besides, perspiratiOn should have place
on that white, lofty forehead.
1t was characteristic of Godfrey Dene that he
declared his passion while under the influence
of good dinner and the moonlight on the sea.
Physical discomfort would have made him post
pone it. Wet feet would have driven him from
the side of his beloved TO change his boots. He
was nervous or a cold or the love that relgnS
supreme on a wet seat in a public park under
one umbrella he had no understanding. He
wanted moonlight.
1t also characteristic of Grace HeathCOte
that she said No" when she was not sure that
she did not mean Yes" Dene was not tmpOs-
sible when he did not pose. In himself he was
good; only he could not forget he poet.
Afterward. when he flung himself into chair
in the smoking room (the thought came into his
mind that so he would be glad to fling his body
into the sea, and make Grace Heathcote weep
he felt that life was ended for him. He had de-
cided that before. But there was differ
q q
verses descriptive OF his sorrow.
The difference was enormous.
Now it is not to be believed that Godfrey Dene
was the fool some people thought him. or the
wonderful person he thought himself. AS a man
seeks strong drink to make him merry, he had
sought love to make himself poetlcal he had
loved love; now he loved a woman. And with
| the genuine passion came the beginning OF man
hood in him He resolved TO have his hair cut.
Not at first. but after he had had some con-
versation with Mrs. HeathcOte. He had poured
ibis trouble into her ear 1t is only the strong
IMAM who suffers in silence. He begged her to
her influence with her daughJer-nOt that
he wished an unwilling bride but that he felt
there must be some misrepresentation some hid
den reason for her refusal that might be eN-
planned away. He could not understand it. But
Mrs. Heathcote. although she had a strong de-
sire to see the young people IN harmony de
clined to interfere. Only she recommended
Dene to try again when his hair was shorter.
She was not laughing at him. but her advice on
all subjects was eminently practical. He gath
cred that Grace had fantastic notions about
men Clere Mrs Heathcote smiled, and that the
ability TO shoot elephant or roe a morse IlaJ
had conscientious objections TO the process
would appeal to her more strongly than the
most beautiful verses.
The fact is. my dear Godfrey" she said
Grace has an ideal man. She has dug him out
of books
Which books?" inquired Dene eagerly.
Works of fiction said Mrs. Heathcote,
dealing with ideal men"
He went to bed very sOrrOwful. but with the
determination TO note the contents OF Miss
Heathcotes library. He GepoTed the lack Of
elephants in the neighborhood
passion until he her leave the house and
proceed toward the beach, carrying a book
Then he followed quickly and overlook her, re-
solved make a last effort. He begged her par
don for his presence. saying he could not leave
her without begging for a little hope on which
he might live. II very painful subject
to Miss HeatChOte (she said sol, but privately.
she did not deny its fascination. She decided 10
give him the opportunity OF speaking. She was
looking charming in her cool. white dress. Dene
observed II; it is even possible she was aware
Of it herself.
What can I 90 to make you love me?' cried
Dene.
She could make no suggestion.
Il would do anything-brave any danger, en-
dure the greatest hardships-to win your love"
She looked up quickly,
Would yOu?" she asked.
Dene thought OF Mrs. Heathcote's words on
the preceding night.
Anything" he cried.
II like you very much. Mr. Dene, but-for-
give me if I speak too plainy-I can't-admire
you"
Al another time such a statement would have
been appalling to Dene but now he scarcely no
ticed the ruin of the temple he had built round
himself
She shook her head helplessly.
Then ft'S-nO gOOd?' he asked.