The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1903-11-13

said Hilyard, is that ne
doesn't know anything. I'm
not saying that to be hard
upon him, but because il is true. He
has had n college education. and he has
read a great many books. but his life
has been so monotonous and so narrow
and his observation SO deficient that he
has never seen anything out OF the or
dinary. And he absolutely lacks credu-
lity II he had n little it would help
him. His magazine needs it badly"
II should think he must be q queer
sort of man for an editor" said Miss
Leigh.
Hilyard. who had lived by his pen for
ten years and had fought his way up
to the level OF creditable success, was
unable TO agree fully with the young
lady's remark.
Not SO queer as he ought to be-"
said he. You've no idea how hard II Is
to make the average editor believe the
truth about his fellow creatures. The
modern craze for romantic fiction has
been u great relief to some Of them. 1t
has freed them from the duty Of con-
sidering probability in a large part OF
their magazines. Anything may have
happened in the time of Charlemagne
or to the king Of a realm that never
existed. But mark the stuff that is 10
Gated near home.
However" he continued. 'in regard
to this particular story which Abbott
has rejected on account OF the improb-
ability of the leading incident, the true
criticism would have been that the
matter Of confusing resemblance be-
tween twins Is so common and obvious
an affair of earthly life thatit has been
overworked in fiction. Yet as the de
velopment was entirely novel and the
climax quite unexpected
He paused in the attitude Of one who
listens.
well. upon my word" he said In q
low tone WAS he invited to callY'
"whor
Abbott. He's in the hall. That's
| his voice. Now, Mile. treat him well
He's come to make an apology about
| that story. Receive IL precisely In the
spirit In which 1t Is made. Do you un
| derstand?"
| The girl rose TO her feet and wa,
about TO speak. but Hilyard shook {
| warning finger at her as he stepped {,
| the door.
why, Abbott-' he cried. How d,
you do?"
| The editor was n slender young man
very carefully dressed and precise I'm hi
speech and his ways. He had delicat,
features and high. narrow forehead
His light hair was worn quite long
but II was very smoothly brushed AVA!
from a parting accurately drawn alonI
the middle OF his head. and all its 81
perfiuity appeared behind his ears.
''Niss Leigh heard your voice." sail
Hilysrd. "She will be glad to see you
1t may be somewhat informal for m
to announce that fact and to lead yo'
into her presence. but Mrs. Wilson
boarding house lies just within tn
boundary OF Bohemia"
Abbott adjusted his eyeglasses an
looked with mild dismay at Hilyart
He considered himself TO be upon ba
terms with the author on account q
/ various small matters which Hilyar
had forgotten. II indeed he had eve
known that they had happened.
II was O bold deed. in Abbotts wa
Of thinking. this call upon Miss Leigl
Really he had not been invited.
was a bit OF romantic. presumption
distinctly an adventure. He had nev'
done anything quite so rash befor
but then he had never met girl cap
BILE OF inspiring him.
:.Aiiss Leigh, you will remember n
: Abbott" Hilyard was saying.
The young lady came forward wit
some small hesitation.
EFT is very kind Of you. I'm sure
said Abbott. taking her hand. 1 real
have no reasonable excuse for huntir
you up, hut since you honored me wi
that visit the other day In my dint
sanctum, shedding a brief light up'
l. my dreary toil-er-so to speak
How strange it Is" said the gi
..that literary people always speak
their work as IL it were terribly d
tressingl Really, 1t must require
e strong sense OF duty 10 keep them
Ie IT.
,e do you not find 1t so yourself?" A
ID bott asked.
d, Goodness exclaimed the girl. .1
IS don't suppose that ! regard myself al
5. literary person..
- Il surely think that you have
~ right.n responded Abbott :'And Il
ul brings me to my only excuse for q
intrusion. ! have been thinking
lie your story, and ! have been quite q
as satisfied with what ! said about it
y other day. Upon more mature ref
ne ton | have BECAME convinced th
~ ~ with a few trifiing alterations. IL v
,a he acceptable for the magazine"
n nPlease don't let's talk about It," .
us tested the girl. We have talked oi
e- so much here that
IA surely you have not lost confidenc
is exclaimed Abbott. But OF course {
an is natural. The way of every arti
Gu calling lies largely through the va
' OF the shadow. A TO this particr
aIl bit OF work, however. l assure you
,ot II is very creditable. and you will
is yourself a wrong. II you permit
int eouragement to destroy your faith.
ek Miss Leigh laughed neryously
va glanced at Hilyard-
Neither my faith nor my diseour'