The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-05-27


publishers. 1t was in the nature of a
luncheon at which was led to believe
that they still expected ME to supply
them with the manuscript of n novel at
a very early date. They seemed consid-
erably put out when / blsndly inform
ed them that had get no farther
along than the second charter.
We have been counting on this book
of yours for January publication said
they.
tried to explain that the muse had
abandoned me in II most heartlcss
fashion.
"But the public demands story from
you,' said they. What have you been
doing all summer
Romancing," saidI.
don't know just how it came about
but the suggestion was made that |
put into narrative form the lively his
tory of my soiourn on the banks of the
Danube. Trusting implicitly to the i'm
agination yet leaving nothing to it.
..But it's all such blithering rot"
said l.
so much the better" said they tri-
umphantly-even eagerly.
81 don't suppose that YOU as publish
ers, can appreciate the fact that an au-
thor may have soul above skittles."
said | Indignantly. II cannot, will
not. write line about myself. gentle
men. Not thut | consider the subject
sacred. but.
wait" cried the junior member. his
face aglow. "WN appreciate the deli
cacy of-er-your feelings. Mr.. Smart.
but | have an idea. "a splendid idea. 1t
solves the whole question. Your secre-
tary is a most competent. capable
goung man and Il genius after q fash
Ion. propose that lie write the story.
Well pay him a lump sum Tor the
work. put your name on the .over.
and there you are. All you will .,ave
to do is to edit his material. Rov's
that?"
And ST it came TO pass that took
myself eff that evening for hot
Springs. secure in the thought that
Poopcndyka would attend to my liter.
ary estate far more capably than [
could do it myself and that my labors
later on would be pleasantly devoted to
the lazy task of editing. revising and
deleting tale already told.
If You are lucky enough to obtain
rooms in the Homestead looking out
over the golf course, with the wonder.
fui November cOlorings in the hills and
gaps beyond; over the casino. the ten
mis- courts and the lower levels of the
fashionable playground you may well
say to yourself that all the world is
bright and sweet and full of hone.
From my windows | could see far
down the historic valley in the direc-
tion of Warm Springs. hazy blue
panorama wrapped in the air of an In
dian summer and redolent with the in
cCnse of autumn.
Britton reminded me that it was
grand morning for golf, and | was at
once reminded that Britton is an ex-
cellent chap, whose opinions are al
ways worth considering. SO | started
for the links. stopping first at the office
OF the hotel on my way out, ostensibly
to complain about the absence of win
dow screens, but in reality to glance
over the register in quest of certain
signatures.
A brisk, oldish little man came up
beside me and rather testify INQUIRED
why there were no matches in his
room; also why the hot water was
cold so much longer than usual that
morning. He was not much Of q man
to look at, but | could not fail to
note the obsequious manner in which
the two clerks behind the desk looked
at him. You couldn't possibly have
discovered anything in their manner to
remind you of hotel clerks you may
have come to know in your travels. A
half dozen boxes of matches were
passed out to him in the twinkling Of
an eye, and | shudder to think what
might have happened If there had been
hot water faucet handy, they were
so eager to please.
Mr. Brewster gone out yetT' de-
nianded this important guest, pocket
ing all of the matches. l could see
at once that he was a very rich man.,
Did he leave any message for ME?
He didn't? He was to let me know
whether he could play golf with-eh?
Playing with Logan, eh? Well, of all
the He knows will not play with
Logan. See II Mr. Scott is in his room.
Tell him I'd like to take him on for
eighteen holes this morning.
He crossed to the news counter and
glanced over the papers while dusky
bellboy shot off In quest of Mr.. Scott
"They all hate to play with the old
geezer," said one of the clerks--a
young one, you may be sure-lowerlng
his voice and his eyebrows at the
same time Hes the rottenest player
In the world"
"Who is her I inquired, mildly in
terested.
Jasper Titus" was the reply. "The
real old Jasper himself"
Before / could recover from my sur
prise the object of my curiosity ap-
preached the desk, his watch in his
hand