Lewiston evening teller. [volume] (Lewiston, Idaho) 1903-1911, 1904-02-11
STORY OF a
CRITICISM
tOriginal.1

So spoke Leslie Reid, tossing a note
On his desk and leaning back disconso-
lately in his revolving chair. This was
the letter:
My Dear Mr.. Reid-You will be sur
| prised to learn that l am the author Of
the story THE Veil Lifted" which you
| have dismissed with such contemptuous
| notice in your paper. Wishing to get your
unbiased opinion of my work. l said
nothing to you about it, confident that
| your ignorance of the name under which
| Il Is published would insure an honest
| criticism. Far be 1t from me to find fault
| with you for that criticism We who lay
| traps to learn the truth as to what our
/ friends say OF us and our works must not
grumble at our success. Sincerely,
HELEN YOUNG.
zone who knows nothing about the
inconsistencies of the SEX" unused Reid,
would suppose this merely n woman's
thanks for an ingenious criticism. |
know better. No woman is going to
spend months or perhaps years on a
cherished labor and have it knocked in
the head with impunity, and If know
Helen Young this Is the feather that
breaks the camels back. l have had
uphill work against Bartlett anyway,
and this episode will tip the scale in
his favor
Reid was right in his Interpretation
of the letter he had received. In pro-
portion to her predisposition to him
and her respect for his literary opinion
was her wrath at his criticism. She
deceived herself by the illusion that
after all she preferred his rival and
did not admit to herself that she would
have delicious revenge upon Reid
when she permitted Bartlett to an
nounce his engagement with her. This
permission, given in an equivocal way,
was taken advantage of Immediately,
and the announcement came to Reds
ears.
'They say" Reid muttered, 40 that
mine enemy would write a bookr Bet
ter write the book yourself and have
your enemy criticise it."
This sudden engagement so soon aft
er the fatal criticism somewhat altered
Mr.. Reds opinion of the best way to
handle the matter. He had some
doubts as to the engagement being
bona fide, and it led him to act upon
the adage, "All's fair in love and in
war" He did not follow up his note to
Miss Young by calling upon her and
did not see her for several weeks. He
then met her at the house of a friend.
He bowed to her, assuming indiffer-
ence. She smiled upon him-well, one
cannot say graciously. Her smile was
rather one of triumph.
"Oh, Mr.. Reid" she said, I'm so
glad to meet you! Come, let us have a
talk And she led him away from the
Others. Now. l want you to tell me
why my book was so bad"
II criticised your book" he replied,
with dignity, mot you. have no fault
to find with you. Let us turn to more
pleasant subject"
Not at all. am entitled as an old
friend to the benefit Of your counsel
and advice. They will aid me In my
future work"
Every well. Since you insist upon 1t
l must say that your style is faulty
and gives the impression that the work
was done under different moods"
There was fash in the girls eye, a
mounting Of color to her cheek.
''Then you handled your love parts
badly and disappointed your readers
by making your hero marry popinjay
when the rival was, though common
place, fairly good fellow"
''Thank you" said Miss Young, biting
her lips.
Your man Mackinson"-
"Mackinson! Who's Mackinson?
| What are you talking aboutT"
"Your hero. You have made his feats
as impossible as himself. Then your
Lucy Tanglefield's career is as tangled
as her name. So far as
Twill you please tell me who all
them"
"Your characters. AS l was say
ing
Twill you stop? My characters are
not Mackinson and Lucy Tanglewood
or any such people"
"Are not they the characters of The
Veil LiftedY"
"They are not"
Then" said Reid, 81 must have been
laboring under a mistake and got your
book mixed with another. You see,
leads to serious mistakes. Mention
some incident. some name, in your sto-
ny by which l may recognize it,"
THE hero's name is Adair. the hero
ines
Claudia Grammont! Do you mean
to tell me you wrote that book? The
style is perfect, the plot remarkable.
In parts there Is evidence of positive
genius"
Miss Young's eyes were lighted. Her
cheeks were glowing with a different
motive from that of a moment ago. She
was quite sure she had not made
mirtake, after all. and that Reid was
her choice. The meeting was inter
rupted by the hostess. and the two sep
arated without further explanations,
which were not necessary. Miss Young
sent for Mr. BARTLETT and rated him