Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1913-07-16
CHAPTER discontinued.


We walked the distance to Win
throp's along the country road, get
ting those occasional glimpses Of the
ocean that make this shore so wonder
full. We could see his house quite a
distance away before we came to 1t,
where It stood at bend in the road;
an old colonial topping a riotous gar
den Of old-fashioned flowers. A board
ed pathway led uncomprOmisingly
straight to the house, and as we climb
ed this pathway we could see stretch
ing away orderly rows of glass houses
that Laura told me were, unromantic-
ally. vegetable houses.
Winthrop was writing; we could
hear the click of a typewriter, but he
saw us through an open window and
came to meet us with a pencil behind
his ear and crumpling a piece of yell
low paper.
I'VE won't interrupt" Laura insist
ed. Il know the way about"
"Tm glad you came" he said. 81
have my heroine where l don't know
just what to do with her. She'll keep
for a while. You'll be sure to give me
an idea. I've been aching, too, for an
excuse to go look at my artichokes;
nearly as big as cabbages, and they
try to tell me you can't grow them so
near the shore"
He led the way through wide hall
way into dear old-time living-room
with a goodly litter of books and
magazines everywhere, and an inVit-
ing bay-window that looked out upon
the ocean. Here stood a big desk,
topped by a typewriter, and more lit
ter, this time of yellow copy paper.
An inadequate waste-basket was over
flowing with crumpled sheets and q
smoldering pipe rested on a window
sill. An old-fashioned safe was most
Importantly imbedded in the wall l
took in the place eostatically.
rs this where the Muse works." l
asked
Il don't know anything about the
Muse" he replied as he smiled at me
and rubbed the back of his head he
had trick Of doing that. '"I know it's
where / think, by brute strength, usu-
ally with a telegram on my desk from
an impatient magazine man who wants
to know why the deuce | don't send
him a story"
l had to be amused, although it was
all so very different to what | expected
no dreamy far-away attitude and the
burning fires of genius demanding to
be released
DO you believe what you writer" l
asked curiously.
Il hope not" put in Laura from the
typewriter where she was reading the
yellow sheet It held. This heroine of
yours ought to have a good shake.
Why, Winthrop. you can't possibly
mean"
Don't preach" he interrupted.
Perhaps she's the horrible example.
You don't expect the heroine in a
story to behave properly, do you? 1t
would never sell. shall justify her,
of course, and whitewash her at the
end. It's what the public demands"
do you always write what the pub.
lie demands?" / questioned.
when l need the money" he
smiled. Just now need the money
badly That's going to be best-sell.
er." He abruptly changed the subject
I'VE shall have some tea, and I'll show
you the prettiest lot of artichokes you
ever saw"
He went out to give the order for
the tea while l examined the books
that lined the walls and the dear, old.
time pictures hung in such quaint or,
der over the mantel.
Hardly looks like the home of a
thief, do you Think" Laura asked
abruptly
NO." replied l shivered from the
very shock of her question. Laura
you can think of such awful things"
We'll, there's Natalie, and here's
Winthrop, and If she loses just one
more silly bracelet 1t won't be right to
let the matter alone. worry about It
wish she would leave her foolish
Jewels in town."
She could say nothing further, fol
Winthrop returned. We had tea, and
saw the garden, but when we went
back home Winthrop insisted that we
go by boat and not by the country
road.
Great engine you have there" ]