The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1906-03-29


not hit the hero! The others l just
dashed of, but l tell you I spent days
over the hero"
Allen gave a start of diSmay and
said nothing.
How do you like him suddenly
suspicious of the others silence
well -that-is"- then in sudden
Inspiration, Il am glad You parted his
hair on one side"
Evalyn flushed slightly and moved
uneasily
Allen took advantage Of the momen-
tary confusion which his remark seem
ed to cause her to say eagerly: Nov.
before we go any further with this,
hear mine. and then we can take both
up together. But before we 20 on
want you to promise me something"
"Wcll:"
IF there is anything in this you
don't like l want you to say 50 at once.
VIII youf'
why, of course we agreed on that
weeks ago" replied Evalyu in aston
ishment. otherwise We can never get
the stories collaboratcd. Haven't you
said just what you think about mme|'
oh, yes. so far" glibly. Perhaps
shall think of other things to say.
though, when mine is torn to tatterS.
That's what I want You to do with it,"
impressiyely.
He read.
Eyalyn did not listen quietly as he
had done. She became unaffectedly
excited She nodded and exclaimed
and got Allen so enthuscd that he for
got he was reading his own produc-
ton and it began to sound fairly well
in his own ears. When he finished
two pairs of very bright eyes looked
across the table.
Evalyn clapped her hands enthusiasts
tically. ALLEN. you have outdone your
self. That is fine. And you have al
ways pretended you could not write
conversat ton. It's the best part of
your story
Not so good as yours" Allen has
tened to interrupt.
Indeed it is. Now. that third person
says much brighter things for YOU than
for me. otherwise how exactly alike
we have made him."
THAT comes of our both knowing
him and sketching him true to life"
Allen began, intent on opening way
for his criticism of her hero. Don't
you think our characters ought to be
real people-true to life as we have
seen them?"
Evalyn hesitated a little owe. her re
ply. Indeed l do. Now, we we're to
be frank about the faults as well as
the virtues. were we nOtf"
Yes. yes eagerly, land 50 I'll be
obliged to- Allen checked himself
hastily Excuse me. You had not
finished"
lie was so anxious now to have mat
hero disposed Of.
EYalyn hesitated She tore BITS OIL
the corner of her pages.
why, yes, had not much more to
say. eXcept-well. | might as well say
it so long as | promised to be frank
VIC pIOLilNtt W Dt lltlN' SLt NVIItNt-
ed herself Really, Allen, your story
outdoes what believed YOU capable Of
doing i'll every way save your heroine"
THE heroine" said Allen. taken
aback. why, my heroine paused
Your heroine is not n real girl"
Allen stared fiXedly across the table
The light faded from his eyes. lie
stammered. My roine--er-what's
the matter with her?'
Evalyn spoke firmly. ''She is I'M
natural from the heart out
Exactly the fault with your hero"
Allen interrupted bluntly.
My hero?" in tones of wonder. Il
thought you liked my hero" Evalyn
stiffened visibly.
ooh, no. | said | liked his hair. but
the cut of a mans hair doesn't index
his disposition, and it's his disposition
that l take exception to. No man on
earth ever had his disposition
fortunately, Allen stopped. He hardly
knew what he had said because his
thoughts were more on his own heroine.
whom Evalyn wanted to demolish.
Evalyn had grown very stiff and very
cold. Her tone was frigid Your
heroine is evidently a match for my
hero, as those are the very criticisms
l had to offer on her, although" her
tone, if possible, was Il shade more
icy, Il should hardly have offered my
remarks in that way
What way" asked Allen, Devil
dered and not able to recall what he
had said
Evalyn made no reply.
Really" began Allen. tell me what
have said to offend you. We We're to
criticise frankly
But not sarcastically," interrupted
Evalyn briefly. She maintained her
frigidity to curb the culver Of her lips.
Forgive me if have been rude" re-
turned Allen, slightly naughty. This
girl is the only character l care a cent
about. How is she unnatural?'
Evalyn swallowed suddenly ANY
girl would have been jealous if man
she loved had treated her in that
way
This girl would not be-" muttered
Allen.
"Of course, if you know" returned