Evening star., 1914-09-27


something new and startling as behtted its own pre-
tentious title? Aye, and there's indeed the rub!
nURING the following week two Calvin poked
- his head into the door OF my den occasionally to
INQUIRE how was getting He received not much
satisfaction; and one day told him that was half
inclined to throw over my share OF the business
aNonsense!' he exclaimed, sapping me vigorously
on the back @Thats what they're all saying. / never
saw such lot of fellows What's the matter with
YOU? Are invitations to write prize stories so common
as to be drug in the market? Brace up now, and
give something strong!
1t always had tonic effect me to explode little
to Calvin and get of his goodnatured Bullets IN
response and felt better for this exchange. When
went to the club for lunch met Dexter in the lobby
a say he called out to me- chow much of your
stunt have you fnished9"
Mot great deal" answered; @but I'm going to
wind it I'D with bang tomorrow and let it co.
Dexter uttered slight grunt OF appreciation, and
then in lowered voice and confidential manner re-
marked, Between you and me, I've made up my
mind that Agathas Problem is story from real llfe
Whoever wrote it is close friend of the parties too
There's an intimate element in it that writer could
have infused into anything purely imaginary.
The same idea had occurred to me, and l wondered
how far it had spread So after lunch we stroed over
to Berkeeys lodgings together Berkeley had not got
much further with his task than we had with ours
He also dropped into confidential, under-the-rose
manner as he suddenly asked:
Have either of you fellows any suspicion who this
woman is who wrote the story!
We confessed that we had not.
@Wen' said he II think saw her last evening.
was on my way the Great Idea office, when Calvin
by the other side of the street, his hat on the
side of his head and flower in his buttonhole He
seemed on such excellent terms with himself that fol-
lowed him. till he turned into Vandergr1tt avenue and
mounted the steps of the house. Just as he
did so woman appeared at the window on the street
side, looking earnestly down the way he had come
Then suppose the sound of his bell caught her ear
y1xy a11rdf he l
saw her no more: though stood there for sometime.
But why do you think it was the authoressf Dex-
ter and demanded in unison.
q inquired at the drugstore one block down who
lived in that house. The clerk couldn't remember the
name but said he understood it was widow who
wrote books, or something of that sort.
@Better and better!" chuckled. 4Dexter is certain
that Agathas Problem is story OF real life, and you
have found woman who corresponds to the heroine
What did she look like pray?"
aShe's Princess, all right" said Berkeley, with
dreamy shake of the head. at needed no more than
the glance got to settle that question. And-yes-
by George! l guess Dexters right: thirty-hve must
be just about her age!"
"Come!" said l, seized with an inspiration. Lets
all three go down to Hardings."
HARDING we found in front of his desk, but lean
ing back in his chair, coat off, shirt sleeves rolled
up and hair r11mpled where his fingers had been run
through it hundred times A smudgy pen lay idle
on the big botter before him, if he had thrown 1t
aside in despair He did not rise to greet us, but mo-
toned be seated and swept the party with look
of gloomy inquiry.
"We just in to see how you were getting along
with your chapter" 1 explained.
ooh, deuce take it, Boys" he growled, NIm about
ready to give up I can't get my mind down to the
job. I've seen her!"
We did not ask whom he meant: guessed in
stinctively and our chorus of CALCULATIONS filled his
eyes with wonder.
$50 have l." said Berkeley; 3at least I'm pretty