Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1904-09-14
HIS OWN
HEART
By Oliver L. Mitchell
----
Copyright. 1906, bv X. A. Whttcheod

ACKNOWLEDGMENT. ne WdHteu Dis 1rleIlu
Howbridge In the family and was
pleased to introduce him to his only
sister Joanna.
Hes all right, Jo," Phil said, "and l
hope you won't break his heart badly
enough to keep him from finishing the
story I'm to iliustrate-if you'll pose
for me-"
Joanna's blue eyes danced-then, and
a little later when Phil made an in
sufficient excuse and left them alone.
Howbridge felt as if he had been told
to play with a strange little girl Jo-
anna was quite at ease. The mischiev-
Gus freedom of her glance contradicted
the reserve of her bearing. Howbrldge
decided that she was fit TO be the hero
inc of an unusual story. She was blond
and beautiful and magnidcently tall
are you waiting for me to say en-
joyed your last book?" she questioned
at last
Follow your conscience, Miss Tren-
ton. But did Phil make you read it?
| wouldn't mirsd knowing whether you
cried at the right places. Did your
He leaned toward her. His strong face
was clean shaven. His gray eyes were
noneommittal He had the sad mouth
and gentle manners of a humorist.
ION, | didn't read it," she said.
"Why not?'
Because | did read your first book
don't like your women. I'd like to be
polite, but you mentioned my CON
science"
Don't mind my feelings and tell me
what is wrong with the women in my
tales"
''rhey are all right It's you. You
make them do what they never would
do of their own free will. Now, you
married Fanny to that Burson. He
wasn't even interesting" He waited
for her to continue. his fertile fancy
fitting literary situations about her per-
sonalty.
you can't know women very well,
do you: You're too she paused
| roguishly.
Too youngf" he hazarded.
81 don't know how old you feel,
but it's not age that gives insight, is
it, BY the way, Mr.. Howbridge, where
do You get your material? For your
new story, for instance, that's an
nounced for September? The title
isn't it weak? And how do you know
What Life Is Made orr"
Suppose l came down here just to
find out?" he said mysteriously. per
haps you can show me? They say
| that women know. The story is hare
| ~ begun. Can't you find me a model
for a heroine? 1t would be u charity
to the reading public"
Joanna unused
There aren't ten interesting women
in this neighborhood, not even count
ing my sister-in-law"-
And you"
Thank you, since couldn't say it
myself"
Their converse ton was cut short
by the abrupt entrance of Phil and his
wife, who liked her husbands friends
and had invited Howbridge to spend
his six weeks vacation and write his
story at The Place Apart" as they
Adll6A lllGtI SuAllAlEl IOiiNf w men was
near. Phil was an illustrator and be
tween him and Mrs Phil. who had
been an interior decorator, the cottage
was a thing to dream about artistic
ally. They had keen sense of what
not to put into house. Joanna, who
was practical, lived with them, did
the housekeeping, which she loved,
l.. 4l,.,
woods with her big St Bernard dog.
Howbridge was given IL room, alb
solute disposal of his time and pot
lack in a family that had all the
charms and none of the dlscomforts Of
camping. Joanna treated him like an
| amusing playmate. teased him about
his literary distractions and his writ
| ing and pretended to search for mod
el for his heroine. She knew little of
books, but could caricature effective
ly, sing like a thrush and play the
piano with musicianly instinct. She
was twenty-five and had always lived.
He was thirty-three and had always
written-with moderate success.
Howbridge studied Joanna imper-
sonally, as he had studied all girls
since his betrotbed married another
man while Howbridge was at college
dreaming and writing her sentimental
owe letters. The other man had al
ways wanted her, so he stayed on the
spot, saw her every day and did
things till he got her-which taught
Howbridge lesson. He woke up,
and after that his characters were
more reaI-not like those in his first
book.
Joanna had no heart history. Men
who saw much of her did. They, al
ways to her surprise, fell in love with
her and to their own surprise married
other women and sighingly remem-
bered her as a lost love when they had
Indigestion or lost out in some prof.
ect Joanna liked men in comradely
way and never fiirted, for she was
very sincere and hated to hurt any