Democratic messenger., 1904-09-10
HIS OWN
HEART
By Oliver L. Mitchell

Phil Trenton was something or
matchmaker. He wanted his friend
Howbridge In the family and was
sister, Joanna.
Hes all right. Jo." Phil said. land /
hope you won't break his heart badly
enough to keep him from finishing the
story I'm TO illustrate-if you'll pose
for me-
Joanna's blue eyes danced-then, and
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. Howbridge
decided that she was fit to be the hero
Inc of an unusual story. She was blond
and beautiful and magnificently tall.
Are you waiting for me to say l en-
joyed your last book Z" she questioned
at last.
Follow your conscience. Miss Tren-
ton. But did Phil make you read 1t?
wouldn't mind knowing whether you
cried at the right places. Did you"
He leaned toward her. His strong face
was clean shaven. His gray eyes were
noncommittal. He had the sad mouth
and gentle manners of humorist.
"Oh, | didn't read It," she said.
"Why notY'
Because l 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"
They 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
sonality.
"You can't know women very well,
do you! You're too she paused
roguishly.
TOO young!" he haZardcd.
II don't know how old you feel.
but it's not age that gives insight. is
iti by the way. Mr.. IIowbridge, where
do you get your material? For your
new story. for instance. that's an
nounccd for September? The title
isn't 1t weakf And how do you know
What Life Is Made orr"
Suppose came down here just to
find out!" he said mysteriously. Per
haps you can show me? They say
that women know. The story is hard
ly begun. Can't you find me n model
for n heroine? 1t would be n 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 I couldn't say 1t
myself"
Their conversation 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
called their summer home, which was
near. Phil was nm illustrator, and be-
tween him and Mrs. Phil, who had
been nm interior decorator. the cottage
was a thing to dream about artistic
ally. They had keen sense Of what
not tn put H. to Il house. Joanna, who
was practical. lived with them. did
the housekeeping. which she loved.
posed for her brother and roamed the
woods with her big ST. Bernard dog.
Howbridge was given room. alb
solutc disposal of his time and pot
luck I'm n family that had all the
charms and none of the discomforts of
camping. Joanna treated him like an
amusing playmate. tcased him about
his literary distractions and his writ
ing and pretended To search for Il mod
el for his heroine. She knew little OF
books. but could cariclture effective
ly. sing like thrush and play the
piano with musicianly instinct. She
was twenty-five and lad always lived.
He was thirtythree and had always
written-wlth moderate success
IIowbrldgc studied Joanna impcr-
sonally. as he had studied all girls
since his bctrothcI married another
man while Ilowhridgc WIS at college
dreaming ana writing her sentimental
love letters. The ether man had al-
ways wanted her. 81 he stayed on the
spot. saw her every day and did
things TIL he got hrr- which taught
Iiowbriigc II lesson. lie woke up,
and after that his characters were
more real not like those In his first
book.
Joanna had no heart history. Men
who SAW mich of her did. They, nj
ways tn hrr surprise. FL in love with
her and t. ih"ir own surprise married
other women and SiChinEly rcmcm-
ber,d her ;;S II lest lov" whcl they had
indigestion or lost ont in some prof
Il.