The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1882-01-06

ltal-Of Skill or knowledge. -
she hesitated, now, blushing holly. II
may as well be plain spoken. I'm
poet"
sOr'
eyes, I've written great deal. The
county papers have published all my
poems"
''Did they pay you?''
''No. But If I were in New York, I
know 1 could earn comfortable living.
l have enough manuscript here" nod
ding towards her satchel, to keep me
going for year,
''YOu are going to New York? You
have secured a position on some paper
or magazine, then?''
''N-no, not precisely that. 1 mean
to write for the best, of course. But
they do not know me-yet."
'.ln the meantime you are amply pro-
vided with means. Living in New York
is expensive, as you know"
She fumbled with her papers, and then
looked up boldly. 81 have my passage
paid to New York, and two dollars over.'
''Good graciousr' cried Mrs. Lloyd.
care you mad?"
mo. suppose it does seem like
desperate venture to you. But you have
never read my poems. 1t is brains, not
blood that tells" quietly replacing the
manuscripts in her satchel, and locking
it.
Mrs. Lloyd observed how thin her
hands were, and that they trembled with
the nervous tension which she had put up
on herself. She did not argue with her.
She would as soon have placed herself
upon the track, in front of an engine
under full steam, as have tried to thwart
the little wiry woman, just now.
''She is wound up as far as she will
BEAR" she thought, ''and an imprudent
touch will make her break down alto
gether. 1 wish she were safe at home
in the kitchen again"
''Now, my dear ANY," she said aloud,
''this much you must yield to me. Stay
with me until tomorrow. Take peep
at the Exposition. 1t will give you some
new ideas for poems, perhaps. Then
have one good nights rest. and if you
still persist you shall 60 in the morning"
ut is against my resolution" hest
tating II determined not to be in
debted to anybody for even meals
victuals. 1 set out to be independent
| only wanted the names of publishers
from you and how to find them
Nonsense! Take off your hat" UNITY
ing the strings. 1--WE will have lunch,
and then you shall go out to the Expo
sition, alone, and be as Independent as
YOU choose"
Miss Pollok was persuaded to 60 up
to the dainty, little chamber, bathe her
face and arrange her hair. which was
fair and soft. Mrs. Lloyd's admiring
little touch on the heavy braids
seemed to wake the real woman in her
disagreeable guest. The girl blushed
and smiled.
s.She is weak and worn out Just now"
judged the shrewd lady. ''Not bad
type of woman for a wife and mother;
but the last to make a successful fight
against the world
The lunch table, with its quaint china,
pot of trailing vines in the center, and
colored damask, touched the strangers
eye as a picture would have done. If
home and home life could take this
heartsome, poetic aspect, she thought,
she never would have wanted to brave
the world and be Independent. Just as
they were sitting down to the delicate
little meal, card was brought to Mrs.
Lloyd.
81 must leave you for moment" she
said. ''But you are at home now," and
poor, tired Miss Pollok, slipping her
strong tea and looking drowsily about
the room, felt as if she had reached a
haven of rest far better than any home
she had known.
In few moments Mrs. Lloyd came
back, her eyes twinkling with amuse-
ment.
My guest is another cousin, whom 1
have never seen before; a six-foot, apple
checked Michigander. Did you hear his
voice? 1t is like the great winds in Os-
sian, that lift the rocks. He has come
to see the wonders of the Centennial,
and called on me, thinking the woman
who writes the greatest wonder of all.
1 know he was disappointed not to find
me with my hair down and mans
jacket on, and my stockings out at the
heels.''
ssYes. They all think of you in that
way. 1t is too absurd" said Miss Pol
lok, angrily. 81 shall let him know
that you are one of the daintiest of
housekeepors. o, can tell good house
keeping, when see it.
Il am going to bring him out. Susy,
let us have something more substantial
than chicken. Cold beef, ham and eggs;
Int plenty of If"
Miss Pollok acknowledged her intro
duction to Cousin Ralph Bristow with a
cool, little nod, and sharp, instantane-
Gus inspection of him from the curly
head down to the No. brogans. How
much beef and ham had gone to the
making of these tremendous thews, she
wondered, curiously.
But Ralph, in his relief at finding his
literary cousin SO ''jolly," and in his
quick compassion for her pale little COM
panion was so hearty and genuine, and
showed such an odd courtesy and ten
derness through his big voice and cum
bersome gestures, that both ladies were
thorourhly awakened They GREW ahsO-