The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1881-03-12
0 read it. And when may ! call for

ITO morrow" said I, without a
moments hesitation, though / knew
/ ought to devote all the time 1 could
spare from my other duties for weeks
to the very lengthy contribution of
the distinguished author. =
"Thank you )" and she fitted away
as noiselessly as she had entered.
But for the life of me / could not
forget her.. Wherever my gaze fell,
there l beheld those great pathetic
eyes. that faint golden hair, those
pretty curved. trembling lips. "And
she was cold. Cold ! should think
so-actually shivering in that thin
shawl, while ], great strong fellow u
Cooking at my heavy overcoat hang
ing on the opposite wall ~ Z. PshAwt
you may stay there to night" And
l actually went home without it, as
though that would make the poor
girl any warmer and caught a severe
cold in consequence, as might have
known L would. After which ebulli-
ton began the story. and read it
through.
1t was written plainly. that could
not be denied in fact, in the way of
chirography, it was all that could be
desired and there we're some pretty
and fairly original ideas in il, and
some CLEANS Of poetic nature but
the plot was so highly romantic and
visionary, and the whole thing so
evidently the work of one who had
not yet even mastered the primer of
authorship, that it was impossible to
give it a place in the publication of
which / was junior editor.
But never did the necessity of
saving. "No" so distress me before,
not even when Alveretta Strawhorn,
since known as the author of "A
Riddle Solyed by a Cimeter," told
me that, in spite of my rejection Of
her novelties, "the laurel wreath of
fame would encircle her brow when
| was still groveling, the obscurest of
the obscure"
l slept but little that night, think
ing oft. Something teld me it would
almost break the girls heart. Should
| accept it, pay for it myself. and
then con,ign it to the waste basket :?
No. that would not do, for she would
be anxiousiy Watching for its appear
ance in print, and bringing more
stories meanwhile for my consi1eFas
ton. What could 1 do? Morning
found me undecided.
When l took my place at my desk
| was still undecided. And | had
reached no decision when, in answer
to that gentle knock. for which l had
waited as | believe no editer ever
waited for would. be contributors
knock before, again called Came"
She came in, sinking into the visitors
chair, raised her eyes in mute inquiry
to my face. | searched nay brain for
some harmless falseh0ed with which
to soften the blow, but those eyes
compelled the truth. II have care.
fully read your story" 1 said, "and
am sorry to say it would not suit our
paper" The little hands went uD to
the face the vel dropped over them.
| heard stified sob, and my heart
began to ache. "But that is no reason.
Miss Silver" l continued, with AS
sumed cherfulness, "that. with few
alterations, it should not suit some
other. If you will leave It with me,
l will take it home tonight, revise
it, and you can try it again"
The veil was tossed aside, and
down came the hands. "Oh, am
so ridiculously afraid of strangers
and strange places !" she said, a wan
little smile shining through her toars.
~ should never have dared to come
here had l not heard you were one
of the klndest of men. Is there
nothing you can give me to do, Mr..
Gray? can read the most illegible
OF writing readiIy-a talent ] inherit
from my dear father-and can copy
rapidly and plainly"
Now l had nothing on hand which
it was absolutely necessary that
should have copied, but vision of
the poor child toiling up dark stairs
into cherries offices, cold and fright.
ened, with that, in It's present form,
unstable story, rose before me, and
| determined to make work for her
until l could find her some easy,
permanent employment elsewhere.
So said, quickly, as though it were
the very assistance of all others of
which stood in need. "If YOU are
willing to accept work of that kind.
can EN- 10y you two or three hours
n day for mouth or two, and YOU
may begin at once"
Her eyes sparklsd the thanks she
did not speak. babe her Law aside
l. i Il