The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1917-01-29
Seeking a
Theme
II Was Found,
But Never Used
By ETHEL HOLMES

tTdCuNt, Comeiy anu PROMINENT sOClhl-
ly. But that which raised her above
her fellow spinsters was that she was
a novelist who had won her way to
literary recognition.
Miss Henderson had recently finish
ed story. 1t had been published and
had made its mark. Already the pub
lie had begun TO clamor for more from
her typewriter. She was casting about
for a theme. She had thus far relied
rather upon the naturalness, the hui
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
little talent. She wished she might
come upon some real happening out of
the ordinary that she could develop
into nove,
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 a 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 go into 1t for all it
was worth and develop only what was
startling and original.
IL. -n1l-
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 a
mental note of the person and when
she got home would jot down few
salient points IL wav of description.
on this walk she ie, cived surprise.
\ man, evidently "A gentleman, who
was passing her paused, looking at her
with wide open eyes
Belle he exclaimed.
There We're in the mans face pain.
reproach. a burning love. Evidently
lie fancied that she was some one
other than herself. She returned his
rae. but said nothing.
''Oh. Belle" he continued, where
have you been all this while? Why
lid You conceal yourself from me? 1t
was all mistake. When we were
separated coming out Of tho opera,
having lost you, | went to the car
riage. The door stood open, and |
saw "A woman inside. Supposing she
was you. | got in, closed the door, and
we We're 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, l 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 tn,
mistake in thinking his wife was run
ming away with another should be til,
hero, but l haven't got so far as tina
yet. One thing is certain-I'I ge
points by permitting this man to re
main In error SO long as possible"
Drawing away, she said. "Sir, dom
know you
listen to me. 1t was not my faul
that this woman had been an oil,
flame of mine. Fate plays strang
pranks, but you should not, you shall
not hold me accountable for this one
Miss Henderson was delighted. 9Th
plot thickens." she thought.
IF you wish my forgiveness for
She paused. She preferred not I
make the only finish she considere
safe-viz. pretending that she wa
some one else than herself. But sh
was dishonest enough to put a Sigh
tremolo into her voice. He continued:
Il not only wish your forgiveness;
will tell you a story that will convinc
you of my innocence of wrong. Thl
man who had married the woman
once thought l loved was burning wit
jealous rage. He knew Of his wife
former predisposition for me, and, no'
thinking that she was untrue to hin
that had taken my former place wit
her, as soon as he had caught us. dre'
knife and plunged 1t into
The man, overcome by the memor
of a horrid sight, stopped short an
covered his eyes with his hands. Mis-
Henderson, who was wrapped In th
! dramatic situation, forgot herself an
asked
"You or the woman"
Removing his hands. he looked q
her wonderingly.
do you not know he killed herr
Herr Certainly. What was I thinl
ing Off"
THAT settles the matter of the femal
villain" said Miss Henderson to he
self. she dies too early in the stor.
must find another. But I fear there
more in this plot than bargained 70
wonder who l AMI mean the Won
an be has mistaken for meT Then