The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-10-16


one who looks like an authoresS.n
"My dear boy, they're not all made
after the same pattern. There she is, rest
ing her head on the mantle"
Bob looked eagerly, and saw sweet,
fair face, not cnsSically beautiful, but ire
sistibly attractive in spite of the irregu-
larity Of feature,
Laughingly Mr.. Durand approached her.
"Ir you are not in very critical mood, to-
night, Miss Blake, | want to present my
friend, Mr.. Flint, to you. He's not so
hard rs his name would suggest; 80 deal
with him gently, | pray you"
Bob's dread of the authoress soon van
ished, and 1t seemed to him that he was
on enchanted ground, till he was aroused
by general signal Of departure.
"Aliss Blake" said Mr.. Durand, "Pm
here to redeem my promise to see you
home; but If you'll accept a poor substi-
tutc. will offer Mr.. Flint in my places
"Provided Mr.. Flint be willing" re-
Joined Miss Blake.
Mr.. Flint was only too happy. 1t was n
clear, starlight night, and Ellie Blake was
even lOvelier, with background Of nature,
than she was in the parlor.
She and Mr. Flint walked unburriedly
till they cams to little cottage, almost
covered with vines. Roses, woOdbine and
pale morning-glorics twined over it till
there was little of the cottage to he seen
save the windows, and in these hung deli
cate moss baskets; while the delicious fra
GRANGE of hclotrope, roses, geraniums and
mignonnctte filled the mir.
"WhOsc little nest is this ~ asked Bob.
"Minr," was the reply.
81 thought So" he replied. "lIouses
reflect the chamctcrOr their inmates. You
may Judge every living creature by his
permanent surroundings"
"What judgment do yon pronounce,
then, on the owner of this little nest, as
you call it 2"
''I should say that she possessed cxqui-
site refinement and ideality; that her ar
tistic senses were fully developed
'Thanks. You flNtteT me. Come and
see it by daylight. You have the password
the open sesame. Good night"
INLAY come tomorrow I"
"Yes, ,Ou may come tomorrow"
"Then good night, and pleasant dreams.n
No boy in bis teens was ever more COM
pletely betwitched by dazzling woman
than was Bob Flint by this much-dreadcd
authoress. lie was awake all night wish
ing it was the next day, that he might see
her again. And when he did see her again
the charm deepened Everything in and
about the house had for him the attraction
Of novelty.
A diminutive colorcd girl opened the
door for him, and bowed him into tiny
parlor. Here he saw every evidence of
culture. A cabinet organ occupied the
space bc,~een the windows; beautifully
carved writing-dcsk stood in one corner Of
the room; on each side the mantel were
book .shcl7cs filled with valuable books,
while over the mantlc-piecc there hung n
soft chrome, representing n scene in the
Alps ine steel cngravings were hung on
the wall, also innumerable little straw
frames containing photographs Of eminent
painters, musical composers and authors.
Delicate white muslin curtains, with iluted
rufIles, hung at the windows. Richly
tinted autumn leaves filled paridn vase
on n bracket Of carved wood, while an cx-
1uiste marble bust stood on pedestal by
itself; three or four easy chairs and a
lounge completed the furniture Of this
room, with the exception of centre-table
on which was students lamp. a vase of
fresh flowers, and a standing globe Of the
Earth. A light, delicate carpet covered
the floor. 1t was the abode Of refinement,
though not Of wealth. Unfortunately the
two are not always combined. Bob Flint
felt the influence Of the room at once. 1t
was soothing, tranQuilizing, harmonious.
lie found himself drawn to it repeatedly.
tam | not stealing your time ~ he
asked one day. "Don't interrupt your
writing"
"No," replied Ellie Blake; l always
write in the morning from nine till eleven.
That is self-madc rule that | rigidly ad.
here to. After eleven can do rs | please
with my time; and If you arc close OBJ
server, you willfind that | am never idle
even when you are hcre.n
~ have remarked that fact" Bob re-
piled. alt seems that your hands arc
never unemployed"
y@Itis an old habit,n she answered, with
a half sigh. "'rhere was n time when
had to work constantly; when could not
afford to keep even such n dot Of servant
rs have now, and my own fingers had to
do all the work for myself and young
brother who isnow away at school. ! am
far from rich now, but have bought this
little home ont Of my own savings, and |
have many comforts, and little work com
pared with what | had then"
You cannot mean that you did oil your
work yoursclr2n asked Bob.
ayes; every bit Of it-swceping, dust
ing, cooking, making fires. scrubbing even,
she answered with merry laugh
aBnt to a person Of your refinement"
al never lost one iOta of sell-respect
thereby, Mr.. Flint, Il that is what you
mean. | should do the same thing over
again tomorrow Il it were necessary
"Of course it could not lessen your self
respect, nor could II lessen YOU in the eSti-
matien ol any one man or woman Of sense.
II is greatly to our credit, but do not
undc crstand how YOU found time to write"
al always made time for that as well MS
for reading. think those two things are
as necessary to me MS sleeping or eating.
The difficulty at first was to get publisher
for what wrote. A novice in literature
must have patience and perseverance in
unlimited quantities in order to succeed.
But when you get fair start, literature
pays well, and It is delightful profession,
one that has nothing rcpulsiyo in 1t, nor
iarring to ones scnsibility,"
"Still, as you say, there arc difficulties
nj the start, and II must be fcarfully dis