The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1913-06-28
CHAPTER ix-continued,

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
distance away before We came to 1t,
where 1t stood at bend in the road;
an old colonial topping 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 typewriter. but he
saw us through an open window and
came to meet US with pencil behind
his ear and crumpling piece Of yell
low paper.
I'VE won't interrupt" Laura insist
ed Il know the way about"
I'm glad you came,' he said. Il
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
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 a wide hall
way into dear old-time living-room
with a goodly litter Of books and
magazines everywhere. and an invit-
ing bay-wdndow that looked out upon
the ocean Here stood a big desk.
topped by typewriter. and more lit
ter, this time of yellow copy paper.
An inadequate waste-basket was over
flowing with crumpled sheets and a
srholdering pipe rested on a window
sill An old-fashioned safe was most
importantly imbedded In the wall. l
took in the place ecstatically.
rs this where the Muse works?"
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.1 think. by brute strength. usu-
ally with telegram on my desk from
an impatient magazine man who wants
to know why the deuce 1 don't send
him a story"
had to be amused, although 1t was
all SO very different to what l expected
no dreamy far-away attitude and the
burning fires of genius demanding to
be released.
DO you believe what you writer"
asked curiously.
II hope not" put in Laura from the
typewriter where she was reading the
lt hoId ,S
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 need the money" he
smiled. "Just now I need the money
badly. That's going to be a 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 q
chief, do you Think" Laura asked
abruptly.
NO." replied. shivered from the
very shock of her question. Laura,
you can think OF such awful things"
well. there's Natalie. and here's
Winthrop, and II she loses Just one
more silly bracelet It won't be right to
let the matter alone. worry about It.
I wish she would leave her foolish
Jewels In town"
She could say nothing further. for
Winthrop returned. We had tea, and
saw the garden. but when we went
back home Winthrop insisted that We
90 BY boat and not by the country
road.
~orsat engine yeu have there"