South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-02-04

charles +. I. ACkeISOU NdS al
obscure little author of unpopular
fiction short stories that one
thanked heaven were short, and
novels that inevitably found their
way to the your pick. % cents
counter in the basement of depart
ment stores.
The difficulty lay not in any lack
of language. but in certain dearth
Of ideas. He would seize hold of
a mediocre plot some thousand or
so other writer's had sifted exceed
ingly fine and go over it once more,
with a close-tOoth comb. Result:
a dull and tedious tale.
Ever heard of him? I doubt it.
Anyway, you would be unlikely to
know he had daughter. He had
though. Her name was Allalie, and
her mother had died when she was
very small, leaving her TO her faith
ers kindly but irregular tutelage.
AS q consequence of which, by the
time she reached p, she was in
possession among other things of as
vigorous an artistic temperament
as the most ardent temperament
fan could desire.
Now an artistic temperament must
have its opposite, and hers was II.
H. Bennink-though he pretended
he had just such a temperament as
hers and swore he was a writer
For Bennink was versed in the ways
Of women. Moreover. he and the
aforesaid Charles f. c. were
friends This. with the fact that
ne actually was in love with daugh-
ter Allalie, and you have a situa-
ton that would really have afford
Ell grounds for fiction.
Henry" Charles said one day,
you don't write. I'll wager you
never sold a story in your life"
"Hush!" Henry replied, dropping
a slow lid. Il use a non de plume a"
WhereupOn Charles had ceased to
be concerned on that point. They
understood each other; and the
sooner certain marriage took
place. the better.
But not so Allalie. She wanted
real author. not one who used
mon de plumes' and was mysteri-
ously reticent about his work.
It's no use, Henry she eXclaim-
ed at length, after he had been
coming to see her for several
months, You've either got TO write
under your own name, or go away
for good.
Her words were final and he
knew it.
..IVo7,1C VIM -,-,rr,- ma Il 1+.i o"
he asked.
YES" she SAID
Now watch!
Rennink. being a business man,
betook himself to Charlcs's inner
shrine and sat with him in solemn
conclave. There was bold talk, and
mention of sums Of money in seven
figures. An agreement was reach
ed. Then he returned to Allalie
Ny dear" he said, cit shall be
as YOU wish. ! shall reveal my
/ identity at last. in a series Of sto-
ries which I promise TO begin to-
morrow"
And when tomorrow arrived, the
series was begun.
We must now suppose some
months to have elapsed. and Allaie
/ to have become Mrs Bennink.
Do you remember those stories
/ in ks magazine last year. about
the young fellow who succeeded in
relieving Wall ST Of so much mon
| ey? Henry Makes a Million" the
series was called. Perhaps YOU
have forgotten, but the name II. H
Bennink was under the title.
Bennink will never forget. The
memorable day the issue contain
ing his first story appeared, he had
returned from the office CYes, in
deed. il was quite customary for
authors nowadays 10 have city Of
fcesD 20 be met on his doorstep
by an exultant wife.
Not 90. Henry'-.H- II. Ben
mink" he had laughed and kissed
\ her.
He said il bored him 20 see his
name in print. But the arrival OF
| each months Issue OF Ks con-