Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1906-12-12
FICTION ano
FRICTION
BY Margaret Muzzey
Copyright, 1906, by Homer Sprague
By Margaret Muzzey


gest seller of the year was aunt
Mary Moffat," written by an unknown
author, whose name and fame had sud
denly gone abroad throughout the land
Young DR.. Brandon, just returned
from Europe, FASTENED To congratulate
his successful friend, and to his amaze
nent he found the writer i'm the depths
Of despair.
John Hastings, what is the matteri
Are you not satisfied with being the
most admired and discussed man OF
the hour? You ought TO he ecstatic,
elated, delirious with joy, and you look
as If you had swallowed bad oyster"
why should | rejoice in success
when the only reason tried for it is
gOnc:" John groaned.
What do you meanT
II was engaged to Ethel Ransom,
you remember. and only waiting for
money TO support her
''Some people consider that an insig
nificant detail"
Unfortunately Ethel's father did
she refuses to'marry me altogether"
May | ask whyT
"She declares that | have drawn the
character Of Aunt Mary Moffat from
her grandmother and held her up to
ridicule before everybody"
''She il craZy!' Brandon exclaimed.
There are plenty of Others" point
f,r 2 - A II
from people who recognize themselves
or one Of their relatives among the
characters of my book. Listen to this:
Dear Mr. Tastings-I was so pleased
TO find YOU made me the heroine Of your
book. l told the editor OF our village pa
per, and ne put piece In the Hucklc berry
Junction Post about IL. Please send me
your autograph.
There are more heroineS, a number
Of heroes. and you remember the man
l called the 'patriarchal parson'-the
woods are full of grandfathers exactly
like him, it appears. AS for the Aunt
Marys, their name is legion-there are
at least three in every village in the
states"
Brandon helped himself from the pile
and read aloud:
Dear MISUNDERSTANDING, as I cannot
fail 10 do so. the depletion of my late lam
entable aunt in the title character OF
your book, / suggest that II would be a
thankful act for you to put n monument
on her grave. Her folks can't afford IT,
II would be good ad. for the book too"
Brandon laughed heartily.
What fun it would be to get these
people togetberl Suppose we go to my
house at Knowlbridge and give Il party
for them. Perhaps if Ethel sees the
numerous other claimants she will give
up her idea about grandma
John demurred, but was finally per-
suaded by Brandon, who assumed the
entire responsibility, and sent the fol
lowing letter TO each of the originals:
Mr.. John Hastings requests the honor
Of your presence October the sixteenth at
seven o'clock TO meet the ladies and gem
ucmcn from whom characters in his
Aunt Mary Mohat" were drawn.
Il have seen your capricious charm
er and prevailed upon her to come to
our party" said Brandon, a few days
later. she hesitated, but she will be
there-the unmistakable glitter of GU
riosity was in her azure orbs.''
First among the authors guests to
arrive on the suspicious 18th was
an alleged 'patriarchal parson," per
sonally conducted by nephew named
Samuel Bangs The heroine was repre-
scented 10y a married woman whose
husband came ALSO. u young widow
and Il sentimental maiden. Two clerks.
a bank cashier and commercial tray
eler appeared for the hero, aud four
Aunt Marys in various stages of Sc.
nifty came attended by enterprisinc
relatives
Il wish we had never invited them,
said John neryously. I'VE will have a
row as sure as sparks fly upward.
leave, It to your uncle" said Bran
don. Il wouldn't miss it for golden
corkscrew.''
suppose they find one another out
before supper
They cant break loose and wax con-
fidential between now and o'clock"
Brandon announced the guests as
they entered the drawing room. Sam
Bangs came last, his face radiant with
smiles and soap; placing one hand cu
his spine. the other on his heart, he
made Il real dancing school bow and
said:
This is the proudest moment OF my
life
John thanked him and Brandon said
lie was lucky 10 keep his heart where
he could lay his hand on it so readily.
Ethel arrived and insisted on going
with the housekeeper to the buffers
pantry, where she stayed, looking
through the door.
Brandon, opposite John at table,
forced the conversation to he general,
steering il of the book. until the des-
sert appeared. then John rose
Ladies and gentlemen" he said. 81
have been fortunate enough TO bring
together n number of people represent
ell n my book. We have the hero.