The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1917-01-31
Seeking a
Theme
4 Was Found,
But Never Used
~ ETHEL HOLMES

oouely and prominent social
o., that which raised her above
allow spinsters was that she was
,eTelist who had won her way to
s,nry recognition.
Ms, Henderson had recently finish,
, story. 1t had been published ana
!, made IFS mark. Already the pub
.,d begun 10 clamor for more from
,rnewriter. she was casting about
tbame. she had thus far relied
-,,., mon the naturalness, the hu-
Unity Of her scenes than upon plot.
v.x she had come to realize that 10
!. hulk Of the reading public plot was
~ acceptable. But for this she had
~. talent She wished she might
.,ue mon some real happening out OF
4, ordinary that she could develop
into novel
Hss Henderson asked friends OF
,,,s 70 suggest some real happening
n ufe that had come to their notice
same Of them tried to think up com
urstion Of circumstances that might
srve her purpose. But they were all
po tame She proposed If she should
,uempt to please the public by TINS
Ind Of fiction to go into it for all II
vas worth and develop only what was
|fsrtling and original.
One day she was out for a Waih'
When she wished for originals for her
|daracters she would stroll about, no
|ucing every person she passed. Wher-
|ger She came upon one who struck
her as being unique she would make a
mental note of the person and when
|he got home would jot down rev
silent points by way Of description
Ion this walk she received surprise.
A man, evidently a gentleman, VINO
vas passing her paused. looking at he'
With wide open eyes.
"Belle!" he exclaimed.
There were In the mans race pam
|nproach, a burning love. Evidently
he fancied that she was some on'
|aher than herself. She returned nj
|nze, but said nothing.
"Oh. Belle" he continued, Wher'
lave YOU been all this while? WY
lid you conceal yourself from mel !
Was all a mistake. When we wer
separated coming out of the opera
having lost you, went to the cal
'iage. The door stood open, ana
Jaw a woman inside. Supposing SD
was you. | got in. closed the door, ah
We were driven away. She suppose
was her husband. He was comm
'or the carriage when he saw me g
INTO it and drive away. He called al
,ther conveyance and followed, owe
took us, and then came the traged
IN account Of which you probably sa
In the morning papers. This Is u
truth, and all the truth. l swear
you"
Miss Henderson restrained speec
but not thought. She thought vel
hard and very rapidly, and this WI
the substance Of her thinking:
Here is not only a theme, but o.
NJ tho characters, the heroine. T.
woman In the carriage must be I
wicked foil. The man who made t
mistake In thinking his wife was ru
ming away with another should be {
hero. but haven't got SO far as II
vet One thing is certain-PH
points by permitting this man 70
main In error so long as possible.
Drawing away. she said. "Sir. 90
know you" :.
Listen to me. 1t was not my ia
that this woman had been an
fame of mine. Fate plays stral
pranks, but you should not, you 81
not hold me accountable for this OF
Miss Henderson was delighted.
plot thickens," she thought.
IF you wish my forgiveness 10
She paused. She preferred not
make the only finish she consid'
safe-viz. pretending that she
some one else than herself. But
was dishonest enough to put 81
uemolo into her voice. He continu
81 not only wish your FORGIVENESS
will tell you a story that will COW
you of my innocence OF wrong.
man who had married the WON
once thought l loved was burning
jealous rage. He knew OF his v
former predisposition for me, and
thinking that she was untrue 10
that | had taken my former place
her, as soon as he had caught US.
a knife and plunged 1t into
The man, overcome by the me
Of a horrid sight, stopped short
covered his eyes with his hands.
Henderson, who was wrapped I
dramatic situation. forgot hersei
asked:
You or the woman
Removing his hands. he LOOK
her wonderingly.
do you not know he killed De