The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1909-05-04
THE
WAY THE STORIES
END


sorry for the ending Of the tale, when
the gray eyes ceased to flash and the
kind lips to CULVER.
1T is a pretty story, Mr.. Norton"
she said. "Oh, no. you needn't shake
your head. I'm not saying so just be-
cause it's yours. cannot imagine
how you could write it,"
PEN and ink, whisky and soda, tail
or's bill as si,imulus!"
please don't make fun. want to
be serious" When she looks at me in
her earnest way l am helpless.
Does that mean criticism?" / in
CURED leaning little toward her.
"Critism and inquiry-if l may?"
Inquiry by all means. I'm rather
afraid of your criticism, do you know"
She is very bright, and her remarks
often help me, as matter OF fact.
She opened and shut the magazine
absently.
She opened and shut the magazine
absently.
What l was wondering" she said,
was why you wrote so seriously and
talked so frivClously; whether one
mood was the real you and the other
sham you, and which was which,"
II think" protested, Il would rath-
err have the criticism, if you don't
mind"
ut is rather an obsenusive question.
But l should very much like to know.
You do mean this"-she touched the
book-"a little, don't your"
"Yees," | said, 81 suppose do.
yvbo L
And afterward?"
IL keep my seriousness for serious
occasions"
"W1Ah is a rebuke for my inquisi-
tiveness,. l suppose?"
She flushed a little. She is rather
pale generally. Some people wouldn't
call her good looking. l do.
Il didn't mean it to be-" apologized.
Il ought to be fiattered at your inter.
est"
I'm your tales" she corrected.
I'm my tales, Of course. suppose
the real answer is that l do not carry
my heart upon my sleeve"
But you have one all the same?"
A touch OF usefulness makes her
voice perfect
TRY"
| caught her eyes for a moment and
stopped | had made up my mind to
keep heart whole before l met her.
Nov for the criticism" she contin-
ued hastily. u
OR as large an instalment as can
stand"
"The criticism must not be misun-
derstOod. You will remember, please,
that like the tale-llke if very much.
in fact"
! bowed
1.-THE criticism is?"
THAT it is a repetition of your other
tales"
gasped.
why, l thought it was quite diff
ferent!"
She shook her head.
Fresh characters, fresh scenery. new
plot, original phrases"
"The machinery is different, but the
story is really the same"
I'm what way? In being about a
man and a woman?"
yes"
laughed
~ gOp NoAh AlNtuI ~ LHlIu KIM OF
person." | said, "I1l utilize It with
pleasure. At present ! haven't made the
discovery"
Don't be absurd What / mean is
that your men and women always do
the same thing"
Fall In lover"
Exactly"
There are lots Of ways Of doing IT,"
I suggested.
IA the present rate you will soon ex-
haust them. Whatever will you do
then?'
/ lit cigarette, with her permission
TO aid reflection
I'm hanged II I know. i've often
wondered myself Make them fall out
Of love. / suppose"
And when you've exhausted that?"
Make them fall in againi"
She stamped her foot impatiently.
do you absolutely refuse TO be
original? I cannot think you do your
self justice in keeping to such a hack.
neyed theme-though I admit you do
Il very nicely"
IL might do it better II 7 had more
practical experience" I suggested
There Is something about her bic
eyes and the little droop at the corners
Of her mouth which makes a fellow say
that sort Of thing. you know.
Now remember our compact" she
warned me. We worc pledged TO
purely platonic friendship. I've had
that sort Of thing I'm my tales, but Il
always broke down
THE Keeping Of platonic compact"
said ], would be novel theme. don't
you lhink2"
Would 80 be interesting onough?"
she asked doublfuly
'Therel What stronger defence
could have? I proposed to leave out