The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1920-12-29

plot Characterize tion--the best you
have done. Conatruction-alm as
good. except for "a few weak joints
which might bo strengthened by n
few changes and touches. IL waa
good story. except"
II can write English. can't IT. in
terrupted Dawo.
II have always told you said The
editor, that you had "A style"
Then the trouble In tho"
Same old thing" Haid Editor
Woaibrook. you work up 10 your
climax like an artist And then you
turn yourself into a photographer.
don't know what form OF obstinate
madness possesses you. Shack. but
that IN what you do with everything
that you write. No. ! will retract
the comparison with the photos.
rapher. Now and then photography.
in spite OF itH impossible perspective.
manages TO record n fleeing glimpse
OF truth. But you spoil every de.
movement by those flat. drab. oblii.
Grating strokes OF your brush that
have 30 often complained OF. II you
would rise TO tho literary pinnacle OF
your dramatic scenes. and paint them
in the high colorH that art requires.
tho postman would leave fewer
bulky. aoif-addrcABed envelopes at
your door"
"oh. fiddles and footiights-' cried
/ Dave. dcriSively. You've got that
old aawmiil drama kink IN your brain
yet when tho man with the black
mustache kidnapa golden haired Bees
sic you are bound TO have tho mother
kneei and raise her hands IN the
spotlight and say; May slgh heaven
witness that will rest neither night
nor day tai the hcartloas villain that
has stolen me child feels the weight
Of n mothers venEcanccr
Editor wcstbrook conceded n smile
Of impcrvious complaccncy.
II think, said he, that IN rial
life the woman would express herself
In those words or In very similar
ones"
mot In a six hundred nights run
anywhere but on the stage" said
Dave hotiy. "rli toll YOU what she'd
say In real life. she'd nay; What
Bessie led away by strange mani
Good Lord ITS one trouble after an.
otheri Cctsmy other hat. must
hurry around 10 the police station.
Why wasn't somebody looking after
her. ia like 60 know For Gods
sake. get out OF my way or III never
get ready. Not that hai-tho brown
one with the velvet bows Bessie
must have been crazy. she's usually
shy % strangers. II that too much
POWDER Iordyi How I'm upaetr
That's tho why she'd talk" con.
tinued Dave. People ia real life
don's ny into heroics and blank verse
at emotional crises. They simply
can't do g. n they talk az all on
such occasions they draw from .hc
same vocabulary that they use every
day. and muddls up their words and
ideas a little more. that's an
Editor wcntbrook looked Mt HIS
watch with an affected show OF icis.
ure.
Tell me- asked DAVE. with
truculent anxiety. ''whn, especial
faults In Tho Aiarum OF the Soul
caused you 10 throw ~ DOWN."
when Gabriel Murray said
Wcstbrook. goes 20 his telephone
and Is told that his flancce has been
sho; by burglar. he says--I do not
recall the exact words. but"
Il do" said Dave. 'Hc says;
Dawn Central: she always cuts me
| Off Nnd then to his friend Say.
Tommy. does n thlrty.two bullet
make a big boiey IT'S kind OF hard
luck. amt ~ Could you get me
drink from the Hidcboard. Tommy
No: straight. nothing on the side A"
And again" continued the editor.
without pausing for argument. when
Bcrcnice opens tho letter from her
husband informing her that he has
fled with the manicure girl. her
words are--iet me Soc"
she says" interposed the author.
We'll. what do you think OF THAR "
"Absurdly inappropriate words"
said Westbrook. presenting an anti.
climax-plunging the story into
/ hopeless bathos Worse yet: they
mirror life falsely. No human being
ever uttered banal colloquialisms
when confronted by sudden tragedy"
Wrong" said Dave. closing his
unshavcn jaws doggedly. 81 say no
man or woman ever spouts high.
falutin' talk when they so up
against n real climax. They talk
naturally and little worse"
Tho editor rose from the bench
with his air OF indulgence and inside
information.
Say. wcstbrook.- said Dave, pin
ming him by tho lapel. would you
have accepted THE Alarum of the
Sour II you had believed that the
actions and words OF the characters
were true 10 life In tho parts OF the
story that we discussed7"
at is very likely that would. 81
I believed that way" said tho edI-
tor. But | have explained to you
that 7 do not"
III I could prove to you that I am
right7"
I'm sorry. Shack. but Tn afraid
I haven't time TO argue any further
Just now"
| Il don't want to argue.- said
Dave. II want 20 demonstrate 10
you from life Itself that my view Is
the correct one"
How could you do that7- asked
| Westbrook. In n surprised tone.
Listen" said the writer. seriously.
"I have thought OF n way. 1t Is i'm
portant 20 me that my theory of
true-to.lifc fiction be recognized ms
correct by tho magazines. I've
fought for II for three years. and I'm
down to my last dollar. with two
I