The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1917-01-25
Seeking a
Theme
1t Was Found,
But Never Used
By ETHEL HOLMES

Miss Julia Henderson was very
much courted. She was generally at
tractive, comely and prominent social
~. But that which raised her above
her fellow spinsters was that she was
q novelist who had won her way to
literary recognition.
Miss Henderson had recently finish
ed a story. 1t had been published and
had made it's mark. Already the pub
lie had begun to clamor for more from
her typewriter. She was casting about
for q theme. She had thus far relied
rather upon the naturalness, the hu-
mainly Of her scenes than upon plot.
Now she had come to realize that to
the bulk Of the reading public plot was
very acceptable. But for this she had
Xttle talent. She wished she might
come upon some real happening out OF
the ordinary that she could develop
into a novel.
Miss Henderson asked friends of
hers to suggest some real happening
In life that had come to their notice.
Some of them tried to think up COM
bination Of circumstances that might
serve her purpose. But they were all
too tame. She proposed if she should
attempt to please the public by this
kind of fiction to 60 into it for all 1t
was worth and develop only what was
startling and original.
One day she was out for a walk
When she wished for originals for her
characters she would stroll about, no.
ticing every person she passed. Wher-
ever she came upon one who struck
her as being unique she would make q
mental note of the person and when
she got home would jot down few
salient points by way of description.
On this walk she received surprise.
A man, evidently gentleman, who
was passing her paused. looking at her
with wide open eyes.
BELIEF he exclaimed.
There were in the mans face pain
reprOach, burning love. Evidently
he fancied that she was some one
other than herself. She returned his
gaze, but said nothing.
ooh, Belle" he continued, where
have you been all this while? Why
did you conceal yourself from me? 1t
was all a mistake. When we were
separated coming out Of the opera,
having lost you, 1 went to the car
riage. The door stood open, and ]
saw woman inside. Supposing she
was you, 1 got in, closed the door, and
we were driven away. She supposed
] was her husband. He was coming
for the carriage when he saw me get
into it and drive away. He called an
other conveyance and followed, over
took us, and then came the tragedy,
an account of which you probably saw
in the morning papers. This is the
truth, and all the truth, 1 swear to
you"
Miss Henderson restrained speech,
but not thought. She thought very
hard and very rapidly, and this was
the substance of her thinking:
Here is not only theme, but l one
Of the characters, the heroine. The
woman in the carriage must be the
wicked foil. The man who made the
mistake in thinking his wife was run
ming away with another should be the
hero. but haven't got so far as that
yet. One thing is certain-Fl get
points by permitting this man to re-
main in error so long as possible"
Drawing away, she said. "Sir, don't
know you"
Listen to me. 1t was not my fault
that this woman had been an old
fame of mine. Fate plays strange
pranks, but you should not, you shall
not hold me accountable for this one"
Miss Henderson was delighted. ''The
plot thickens," she thought.
''If you wish my forgiveness for
She paused. She preferred not tc
make the only finish she considered
safe-viz, pretending that she was
some one else than herself. But she
was dishonest enough to put a slight
tremolo into her voice. He continued:
81 not only wish your forgiveness; l
will tell you story that will convince
you of my innocence of wrong. This
man who had married the woman l
once thought loved was burning with
Jealous rage. He knew of his wife's
former predisposition for me, and, now
thinking that she was untrue to him.
that l had taken my former place with
her, as soon as he had caught us. drew
knife and plunged it into
The man, overcome by the memory
Of horrid sight, stopped short and
covered his eyes with his hands. Miss
Henderson, who was wrapped in the
dramatic situation. forgot herself and
asked:
you or the wOman?'
Removing his hands, he looked at
her wOnderingly.
. "DO you not know he killed herr"
"Her? Certainly. What was think
ing OFF"
"That settles the matter Of the female
Villain" said Miss Henderson to her
self. ..She dies too early in the story.
must find another. But fear there's
T. L: A. 4.