The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-05-28
THE NovELIsTs YOUTH.

The eminent novelist was in a dull
mood For some minutes now he had
been regarding rather blankly the
equally blank sheets of paper lying be-
fore him on his desk. 1t was a June
morning, omehOw-memories of
another June morning far off in the
long ago obtruded- Mayhap it was the
bright sunshine streaming in through
the open London window, filing the
air with dancing thoughts, that made
our novelist so retrOSpectlVe-and idle.
He had in his mind vaguely vision OF
that June morning in a Devon cider
orchard, when in the egOtism of youth
ne had talked and she had listened.
When, half-fearfully, he had touched
the mysteries of love.
Long ago-oh, very long ago. Bless
me!-What was the girls name? She
had had ridiculous ideals. incompatible
with such a merry round face and
such impertinent red hair-the eminent
novelist recOllected. Her father mad
owned the cider orchard and many
others What was the name2 Samp-
ford or Widdicombe or DebbyhOuSe?
Not any of them a bit like it. She
was a 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 not worldly, sordid troubles.
A discreet tap at the door disturbed
these more comfortable reflections. 1t
was the page boy
Please, sir, a lady"
"Yes2"
Wont 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 APP
peared very much at ease, and smlled
affably enough toward the eminent
You must forgive my boarding
you like this" she began, graciously-
Il haven't sent the carriage away so
you can imagine that L won't really
detain you" The novelist indicated a
seat, and bowed. Thanks, awfully.
/ see I have disturbed you.
Well, to the point, then, at once. L
have come to talk about your books
Your last one is a distinct falling
away"
The novelist sank into his round
backed chair, and waited in silence.
ooh, I know it's unusual and all
that, for one to speak ones opinion in
the OPEN" the girl went on, airily- She
had a perfume of violets about her,
and a pretty trick of dimpling her
cheeks The novelist seemed to have
remembered having seen something
like it before. Very frank eyes she
sense of gesture. Altogether the
novelist found it in him to overlook
her impudence.
Il have read all your books, don't
you know" continued the girl, sud
denly becoming serious. And, in a
manner, I have rather gone in for
them. A woman's first enthusiasm
sort Of thing falling in love
with a portrait idea. You under
Il think So" che rather fattered
himself on compromising the sex.)
well, honestly, you know-you re
not doing yourself justice. I won't
say you're pot-boiling exactly; but, at
any 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"
Its very good of you"
mot 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 to you that you are falling
away. Take your first book, for in
Crude, and very young suggested
Crude and very sincere" corrected
the girl swiftly. Il begin to believe
that with age and experience ones eyes
grow dim. I understand it's physio-
logically so in the ffties but, as re-
CARDS the soul, decay appears to set in
much earlier. I'm not keeping
you?"
please go on
wen. do just read some of your ear
ly work again. I'm sure
IF you can really prove to me that
my stuff is becoming worse instead of
slightly better" the novelist checked
her, Il will very willingly give check
for 100 guineas to any charity you like
to name"
The violet girl laughed again, and
dimpled her round cheeks. ''Wen, that's
business, certainly, and I'd dearly like
H. - TTr.r@ IorrA rrrnr ~
to speak of your books generally, with
a view to helping yOu-and myself. You
know that now it's your name that
sells"
The novelist shrugged his shoulders,
and glanced toward the clock.
ITS so, 1 am afraid" said the girl,
smoothing her skirts deprecatingly. I
won't keep you a minute longer. This is
my notion. I'll write your stories for
you, and you'll sign them 1t viii be a
good deal less work for you, while
L
"Yes?" inquired he, rising.
Il don't seem to be able to sell my
stories as it is. don't you see?" she
continued, with the first signs of losing
her nerve. Her dimple had vanished
temporarily. and I'm sure
I'm profoundly obliged to you" re-
marked the eminent novelist very
coldly, but I fear that such an ar
rangement would be scarcely fair"
mot fair?" she echoed. with a touch
of scOrn. Not fair? To whom? To
your publisher? He doesn't even read
your manuscripts now, of course. It's
just your name. and his imprint. To
your public? They'll gobble anything
signed by you-because it's the thing
don't you know! Not fair to myself?
I maintain that I shall do you more
than justice. Here's a short
piece" She produced from little
bag hanging at her waist a folded pa
per in a conjuring trick kind of way.
'fRead that; sign it-and do me the
honor of making the attempt Good
morning"
She dropped the paper into the hand
outstretched in dismissal, courtesied