Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1907-12-14
The Accepted Manuscript.

Inc Accepted MaHuScT1pJ.
The eyes of the senior reader of Bills
sett & Co. shone with half-suppressed
excitement as lie laid beautifully typed
manuscript on the desk before the head
of the firm.
Il think, sir he said, with emphasis
chat we have here the novel of the
year"
Richard Bissett looked hopeful lie
was we'll acquainted with Thurston's
usually impressive and coldly critical
manner. and knew that it must be
something very much beyond the ordi-
nary to have thus reused him to enthu-
siasm He nodded encouragingly.
YES, SIR continued the other, gently
tapping the manuscript with his fore
finger, here we have a healthy and high
ly original story told in manly and
virile fashion; the Characterization is
good and not overdrawn, and the style
unexceptionable. Spindrift has all the
qualities, in fact, which 20 to the making
of great success; it grips the magma
ton from start to finish, and its author,
Roger Temple, is a man highly to be con-
graduated"
I'm glad to hear it, Thurston," said
his employer heartily. 1The public has
had more than enough of the neurotic
stuff, written principally by women; the
vivisection of human souls begins to pail
after bit, and | am hopeful that the
psychological problem novel has had its
day. A good, healthy romance such as
you represent this to be should readily
take the public fancy. I'll take it home
with me for consideration"
Thus Richard Blissett jonrneyed home
Chat night with the manuscript locked in
his bag. hugging his soul with delight at
the thought that he had got the novel OF
the year, and that its author was a
man; for he, as may be judged by his
remarks to Thurston. had rather poor
Opinion of the female sex, and thereby
hung tale.
Some years before. while holiday max
ing in the south of France, he had met a
girl whom he had believed to be superior
10 the rest of her sex. As a matter OF
fact, he fell in love with her which ac-
counted for the aforesaid belief on his
part and imagined his love to be re-
turned
One day, however, Delicia Clements
for that was her name, showed him, with
great pride, novel written, so she said
by a dear friend of hers, and asked his
opinion thereon,
Now here Blissett erred egregiously
II happened 70 be his pet aversion a
psychological study, and he delivered d
scathing diatribe upon it.
The girl had waited with ominous
| caimness for the conclusion of his TRADE
and then, with coldly polite expression
of gratitude for his criticism. left the
room.
And that was the last he saw of her,
for early the following morning she left
the hotel. Inquiries as to her destina
ton had been met with professions of
| ignorance and stolid indifference on the
part of the hotel servants, and there,
perforce, the matter had to rest; but a
olight descended on the soul of Richard
Blissott, and he mathematical all lady
novelists with more than his wonted
fervor
His thoughts required for a moment
| TO .his episode now, as he leant back in
his easy chair and prepared to enjoy
Roger Temples work, He had spoken
Toe bluntly, perhaps, but when all was
said and done he had merely stated his
honest opinion. and that opinion still
held good. Delieia had been too ready
To take offense on behalf of her friend
hut If only--here he sighed deeply, and.
realizing by the action that he was al
lowing himself to become dangerously
sentimental, put a strong curb on his
thoughts, and fell to reading.
| Once started, he soon lost himself in
the enthralling pages, for. as Thurston
put 1t, the story mad grip" and ii was
! somewhere in the small hours OF the
morning before he finally laid ii down
Good! entirely Goodl" he said. There
can be no doubt about it. The matter
should be elinched Mt once Let me see
now-ah. | have il! Tomorrow will be
saturday; I'll spend the week end at IL
minister and invite Temple to Join me
there. I'm thirsting for sight OF the
country, and over friendly pipe we
shall soon come to an arrangement"
He sat down at the bureau then and
there and penned note to the author of
Spindrift. and, having posted it himself,
retired to bed.
The following morning brought neat
" typewriter reply:
Il shall be delighted 10 avail myself
of your kind invitation" it ran. "and
shall journey down to minister by the
train arriving there at 1880.
Good" said Richard Blissett, precise
and to the point A woman would have
taken eight pages to say that. and 4 N
missed the train. Much more sat;st..c-
terry dealing with men," Then with an
inconsistency which is not entirely wom-
ans prerogatiye, his mind eonjured up a