Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1909-12-22
The Author Wife
.SSSSsSSsSss

i
The spacious drawing room present
Cd an animated appearance.
Who's that speaking to our host
sssf' asked one Of the guests Of
friend.
my dear fellow. moderate your curl
oaity. She's only an ordinary woman,
though she may seem rather attractive
to you. I've known other people the
same way about her"
The two men approached as the
woman moved In the direction OF a
window recess. She had not quite
reached 1t, however. when hearing her
name. Elsie she turned to be con-
fronted by the men.
LET me introduce my friend, MT.
Ward" said one. you'll ind him very.
interesting on anything and every
thing connected with numismatics. He
could tell Caesar ha'penny from a
Victoria one with his eyes shut" And
With the slight grin that accompanied
this attempt at wit the speaker bowed
himself on.
Madam, beg you won't think 1t
too ridiculous, but It's scarcely my
fault. Mr.. Molloy certainly introduced
W In q sort Of way. but he unfortu-
nately neglected your name" &
How stupid Of him. thought you
knew. I'm Mrs. Molloy."
This was the unexpected with a
vengeance, and 1t was some time be-
fore Ward got the better Of it.
IT really must beg your pardon. /
ought to have known better"
mot al. all"
A very handsome girl who had Just
entered and was chatting animatedly
with Molloy near the other end OF the
room brought the pair in the window
abruptly to topic that was for the.
time being one Of public Importance.
The topic was the latest novel from
the pen of Edgar Molloy, and the girl
now standing at his side was the orig
inal OF his heroine.
.sYou know Miss Lascelles. of
1coursef" said Ward.
"Just enough to be aware Of her
identity"
..Indeedl' Ward raised his eye
brows; IT thought perhaps. consider
ing the circumstances, you would have
me- DO o's soS know Miss laseslless" was
the remark by which she shut down
the others curiosity.
..on 80, vow, ,yoilu no ronItad AT
believe was the first man she got to
know this side of the Atlantic. 1t was
/. who introduced her to your hus
band.'
The last remark was an astute
searoher. but 1t fell fiat.
Perhaps" she said. IF you find it
quite convenient you might contrive
to let me have few minutes chat
with her. feel / shall like to know
her better"
At that moment someone had but
ton-holed Molloy. Miss Lascelles with
a-nod- charlottesville edged away from
him and was looking round the room
when she caught sight Of Ward, who
took couple Of steps forward.
How d'you dot" and Ward. turning
to Mrs. Molloy, said: Ladies. don't
know whether Introduction Is neces-
sary between you. but II 1t is case
Of repetition / shall throw myself on
your genorsity and beg to be excused
Mrs. Molloy-Miss Lascelles."
There was brief silence and then
the American girl remarked. II think
Mr.. Molloy is very clever"
you've known Edgar almost ever
since you came over?"
yves; for six months"
II seem to know you 80 well. /
fancy it's largely owing to the book"
Yes; everyone,s talking about IT."
The authors wife looked at the fine
picture Of young womanhood beside
her, and said thoughtfully. "And you
inspired 1t. What great deal Edgar
owes to you"
ION the contrary, have always
thought It is who owe him a-great
deal"
SIS that because he made you the
original Of his heroine?"
well, perhaps"
you think great deal Of Edgar7"
Beatrice Lascelles replied slowly,
'Yes. lido"
~ great many women do that. He