The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1917-02-02
Seeking a
Theme
II Was Found,
ButaNUer Used
By ETHEL HOLMES

Miss Julia Henderson was very
much courted. She was generally at
tractive, comedy and prominent social
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 a 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
manity 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 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 go into it for all 1t
was worth and develop only what was
startling and original.
One day she was out for 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
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 a surprise.
A man, evidently gentleman, who
was passing her paused. looking ut 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.
"Oh, 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, ! went to the car
rage The door stood open, and
saw a woman inside. Supposing she
was you, got in, closed the door. and
we were driven away. She supposed
l was her husband. He was coming
for the carriage when he saw me get
into 1t 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, 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 / 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 l haven't got so far as that
yet. One thing is certain-l'll get
points by permitting this man to re-
main i'll 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
flame of mine. Fate plays strange
FRANKS, 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 to
make the only finish she considered
safe-viZ. pretending that she was
some one else than herself. But she
was dishonest enough to put slight
tremolo into her voice. He continued:
II 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 /
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 | 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 a 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 herT
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 i'm the story.
must find another. But fear there's
more in this plot than bargained for.
wonder who AMI mean the wom-
an he has mistaken for me?" Then to