Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1904-06-30
LAPSED FROM MEMORY.

another June morning far off in the
long ago obtruded. Mayhap, it was
the bright sunshine streaming in
through the open London window. fill
ing the air with dancing thoughts.
that made our novelist so RETROSPECT.
uve-dnd idle. He had in his MINI
vaguely vision Of that June morn.
IN a Devon cider orchard, when in
the egotism of youth he had talked
ana she had listened. When, half
fearfully, he had touched the mys-
teries of love.
Long ago-oh, very long ago! Bless
me-what was the girls name? She
had had ridiculous ideals, inconpatible
with such merry round face and
such impertinent red hair-the
eminent novelist recollected. Her
father had owned the cider orchard
and many others. What was the
name? Sampford, or Widdicombe,
or Debbyhouse?
Not any of them bit like it. She
was memory-nothing more The
eminent novelist sighed. Times had
changed since then. Now he was
well, famous, in a sort of way. That
is, he had no worldly, sordid troubles.
A discreet tap at the door disturbed
these more comfortable reflections II
was the page boy
Please sir. lady
'Yes?"
Won't give her name. sir Wants
to see you very particular. Has called
twice already"
ASK her to be good enough TO come
in,' interrupted the eminent novelist,
with. a faint hope of copy" rising
within him. Those blank sheets were
reproachful
A moment later a girl rustled into
the sanctum. She was dressed in
violet wolfe. made in the extreme of
fashion, with a great black feathery
hat on her well-poised head She ap-
peared very much at ease, and smiled
affably enough toward the eminent
novelist
you muse forgive my boarding
you like this" she began graciously
Il haven't sent the carriage away, so
detain you" The novelist indicated a
seat, and bowed. Thanks awfuily. I
see [ have disturbed you. Well,
to the point, then, at once, | have
come to talk about your books. Yom
last one is distinct falling away"
The novelist sank into his round
backed chair, and waited in silence
"Oh, l know it's unusual and all
that, for one to speak ones opinion
in the OPEN" the girl went on, airily
She had perfume OF violets about
her, and pretty trick of dimpling
her cheeks. The novelist seemed to
have remembered having seen some
think like it before. Very frank eyes
she had, and cleaning hair, and a
nice sense of gesture. Altogether,
the novelist found it in him to owe,
look her impudence.
81 have read all your books. don't
you know" continued the girl, sud
denly becoming serious. '"And, in a
manner, l have rather gone in for
them. A woman's first enthusiasm
sort of thing. falling in love
with portrait idea. You under.
stand?''
Il think so'' (He rather f1attered
himself on comprehending the sex.)
We'll honestly, you know-you're
not doing yourself justice. | won't
say you're pot-boiling exactly; but, at
an rate, you're lighting the fire pre-
paratory to it. Now. I'm sorry-and
SO are heaps of people, who-who
care, don't you know?"
TITS very good of you"
Not at ALL AS / said, one has
ideals and things in ones youth"
(The novelist admitted that) You're
rather my ideal-or you were. can
prove it to you that you are falling
away. Take your first book, for
instance
Crude, and very young" suggested
the novelist.
Crude and very sincere" corrected
the girl swiftly. II begin to believe
that with age and experience ones
eyes grow dim. understand it's
physiologically so in the sos; but as
regards the soul. decay appears to set
in much earlier I'm not keeping
you?'
Please go on"
We'll, do just read some of your
2rly work again. I'm sure
aIf you can really prove to me that
stuff is becoming worse instead
ghtly better" the novelist check
Il will very willingly give a
s5f 100 guineas to any charity
Alto name"
Gplet girl laughed again, and
- her round cheeks. We'll,
illness, certainly, and I'd
to take up the challenge.
1T to speak of your books
with a view to helping
yself. You know that now
assme that sells"
list shrugged his shoulders,
u towar1 the clock
am afraid" said the girl,
her skirts deprecatingly