Evening star., 1925-06-09
One of a series of the
years best short
stories.

roti How could you ever accept such
thing? Building a home-if any one
were ever building me home accord
ing to this book III kill him outright"
But NJ. Mondell disdained to defend
his new publication. He hung up his
hat. seated himself in his swivel chair
and, turning to Aristide, said bluntIy:
Tell me, Tritou, why did you never
speak to me of Loutre'?"
Aristide sat up in his chair and
stared. Loutre? Loutre? What did
Mondell mean? Then Aristide remern-
bered and he became a bit embar-
rassed. NJ. MondeIl was of a most
scrupulous personal honesty, and
Aristide doubted If he would see the
fun in cheating Kersac out of 100
francs. Aristide decided, therefore,
that he would have to invent some
excuse-he dimly thought Of a lost
letter or something like this-and in
order to gain time he asked:
why should have spoken to you
'Loutre'?"
NJ. Mondell became heated and ex-
cited
We'll, If I had written a brilliant
book, the book of the year; in fact, a
book illustrated by Felix and run as
a serial in La Revue Illustree, a book
finally published by Lafltte and men
toned for the Prix Goncourt, then l
should have spoken to you about it
Consequently, should have expected
the same OF you"
Aristide was utterly bewildered
Did Mondel jest? But no, his round
moonface looked almost childishly
hurt and serious. But then, what did
it all mean? Had Loutre,' whom he
had left ANONYMOUSLY in the border.
land of all half-created things, hanging
doubtfully between being and not be.
| ing-had Loutre,' without consulting
his maker, decided on a career of his
own? Well, in that case he had done
himself well, the old boy. Felix, La.
ntte, Prix Goncourt-one could hardly
better that. A self.made fiction,
chuckled Aristide to himself. Well,
| he would not disturb Loutre in his
adventurous undertaking, he would
not give the show away. So, while
he was highly amused inwardly, he
| said aloud only:
WHO told you all about Loutre,
| Mondell?"
That ass of poet did," growIed
Mondell, that Lucien Dupre. Wants
me to publish his epic, and when I
mentioned You as my reader he started
| to rave. The whole literary Paris,
he says, is wild about your book. The
| occult science in it, the folklore, prinn-
| tive beliefs, initiative magic, and SO
on made tremendous hit. Why you
| haven't offered the book to me, Tri-
tou, | can't understand. 1 always
| thought we were real friends
Aristide stood up, lowered over the
little publisher, and said very ear
nestly and impressively:
| Look here. MondeI, I don't know
| what Dupre said; quite likely he ex-
aggerated. / confess Loutre was an
| unexpected success, but l never
| thought for moment that he would
stir the literary Paris. But so much
you can take from me-I give you nv
| word for it; Loutre was conceived and
| Che WINGED a Bit created before I
ever knew you. 1 assure you most
| solemnly l could never have offered
this work to you. There was no
| possibility of doing So 1 should be
| damned sorry if you thought anything
| else
Mondell, whose heart, although
covered by layers and layers of fat,
| was fnnately generous, accepted at
| once his friends explanation.
That's quite all right Aristide." he
said. There's no i'll feeling in me
| now. Only I'm sorry. I should have
| liked to bring out this book Well.
| Wen see what we can do in the
| future"
And having thus restored peace and
AdiIIIoi4S III the once, the two went
| at their daily task, Aristide still smil-
ing to himself at Loutre and Loutre's
| extravagant claims.
| The next morning MondeII said 10
| Aristide:
! III tell you what, Tritou. We are
! going to get new assistant. Some
young chap to write letters and read
| proofs, and to do all the odds and
| ends of the office routine. And to
! you m going to give a little private
| office here and you are going to write
book for me. OF course, you can't
| duplicate Loutre'-one does not write
a masterwork every few months
but you'll do something fine and I'm
| going to bring it out in style. I'd ask
| F. F. to illustrate it, only he is on
his way to Japan, but We'll get Zip
| or Pierre Crachee to do head and tail
pieces and perhaps even full-page
drawings. Every one will be pleased
to collaborate with the author of
! 'Loutre'
Aristide shrugged his shoulders and
| said, Suit yourself" and while Mon
dell hustled round in preparation for
the new arrangement Aristide clear
| ed his old desk and wondered dimlv
If he had done right to let Loutre
| have his way.