The Southern herald., 1913-02-14
HUNTING FOR name.
Story Of Novel That Was Never
Written, and Authors Search
for Character.
BY cLAupINE sIssoN.

and story accepted by magazine,
had concluded to write novel.
He was dining by himself at a res
taurant as he reached the decision.
1t was as the lobster was brought on
that Mr.. Bell slapped his leg and ex-
claimed:
by George, I'll do it,"
BEG pardon. sir" replied the
waiter"
Il said I would do it."
"But won't, sir"
Il mean that am going to write
novel;"
Then l would, sir"
A good part of that night was de-
voted to settling on name. Wilkie
Collins wrote mo Name" The IT,
tie: My Novel, also played out long
ago.
1t was sure that Mr.. Bell must have
a name for his novel, but when day
light came he had found nothing to
suit. A man can crawl through
barbed wire fence if he takes his time
and is good at lodging and twisting,
but to find name for first novel is
almost a hopeless undertaking.
Get the character, and the name
will come" decided Mr.. Bell with
great wisdom.
He had a sister Gilmore. She was
young and frivolous, and not at all
literary inclined, but for those very
reasons she might suggest a corker
Of a character. She was appealed to,
and after thinking her very hard
est for three seconds she cried
out:
Name 1t 'What""
"Humph! What sort Of title is
that?"
Get everybody to asking What?
and your novel is a go. Now for
your principal character Name her
which,"
That's no name," growled the
brother.
Best in the world. Get the public
to asking Which is What and vice ver-
sa, and you'll make a million dol
lars Now run out and get me two
pound box of chocolates"
Mr.. Bell began to realize how Ber-
tina Clay and Old Sleuth must have
sat up nights with bags of ice at
their feet, but he was not entirely dis
couraged. He would hunt for living
character, instead of taking an imag-
mary one. The very next day saw
, him on the hunt. A novelist can get
character on every street corner,
but not always gilt-edged, as Mr..
Bells must be, and there must be a
romantic meeting to start with. He
decided to try parlor car on the
railroad.
. The coming novelist boarded a
train and rode away for 40 miles. No
, romance! Mostly old women! Only
!. one young lady, and she had tooth
= ache and rag around her jaw!
He got off and started back to the
city. Behold Next to him in the
!, chair was "What?" which," Yes,
: he knew her at a glance, and he
. heaved a sigh of relief that his great
: est trouble was DER. Handsome
\ tocratic-charming she seemed
born for a heroine-for a What?
which," heroine.
There are men that stare at WON
en- in a way to arouse indignation
There are others that take further
glances that are construed into com
r pliments. He would not have per
l. turbed that young lady for another
ia boiled lobster.
Although Mr.. Bells glances were
e furtive, he must get to know his hero
" inc. How else could he get to write
1t of her many glorious attributes? The
e arrival in the city would furnish hin
opportunity and excuse. She was al
Il alone and"
y Can see you to the taxi, missr
l. Thanks: l wish you would be 81
l. kind"
When they had reached the door o
II the waiting vehicle she turned tt
say:
u 81 am ashamed to admit that an
y a bit nervous"
u Stranger in the city," he queried
- Yves, almost"
"And you think the driver may be
q wicked MANI"
~ HE looks it to me-"
y y 'T might accompany you"
- How dare l ask your"
- "Oh, that's all right Only too happ
- to be of service. Get right in. Wha
= shall tell the MANI"
a "H0 may drive to 1855 Amstei
dam avenue, to my sisters. If sh
had known of my coming she'd surel
have been here to meet me-"
We'll, you can surprise her"
During the six-mile drive the youn
woman admitted that her name wa
n Betsey Jones and Mr.. Bell admitted h
Y was planning a novel and proposed t
make her the heroine. BY the tim
4 they reached the address given the
y were quite we'll acquainted, and tn
novelist felt that he was in great lucl
1t was an empty house that stare
them in the face.
Mercy on mel" gasped Miss Betse