The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1884-05-08

rled, laughed amusedly at the PROPOSE
ton.
1.-THE question is, what would Miss
Stratton say to five fathers all under
thirty-fiveP" said Mclean.
'fShe's as proud as Lucifer, and would
never consent to place herself under
what she would consider an obliga-
tion," objected DIR. Dunscombe.
'.She might pay it back, if she felt
overburdened, from the proceeds of the
novel," suggested Bruce, s~atirically.
.'That might prove an uncertainty,
and she would be the first to see it."
Dunscombe answered in perfect good
faith. s'She will never consent to re-
ceiving a cent unless she thinks she is
earning it."
81 don't see the necessity of letting
her know anything about the father
ing;'" put in De Wint. eff she's the
kind of girl I take her to be, she will
be more indignant than gratefulfor our
help in that way. Why can't we trump
up some story about a publisher seeing
some of her stories in this two-penny
paper Dunscombe tells about, being
struck with the style of the writer and
all that sort of thingrand anxious to
have her try her hand at a book, prin-
cipally for his own benefit. Of course
the question of money will come up,
and he can offer to advance the neces-
sary amount while the novel is in pro-
gress."
s.Do you suppose she could be brought
to believe all that trashp" asked Nc
Lean, d%oubtfully.
"The vanity of an author is capable
OF anything;"camefrom the dark corner
"Who's to play the partof publisher,
them" asked DIR. Dunscombe.
sI should think Mclean would be
the one," said Harry Swift. He must
be used to that sort of thing"
"That's out of the question" hur-
riedly interrupted the gentleman men
toned, ssfor 1 think she knows me. ]
have a hazy idea that she came to my
office once; but 1 don't print stories, as
you know, and she didn't seemto think
she could write anything in our line. ]
remember feeling quite interested in
her at the time, but it had slipped my
mind"
s.Then Bruce will have to do it." said
De Whit. "He is the only n among us
who has the properly hardened and
calculating cast of co~untenance."
"And the requisite dramatic ability"
slipped in Swift, referring with keen
| relish to an old joke against Bruce.
"Humph!" disgustedly, from Bruce.
.But you will do it, will you not?'
inquired DR.. Dunscombe.
"And make an Internal ass of my
self! 1 should think that, before We
push into the thing, it might be as well
to read something she has written"
81 thought of that and came pre-
pared said Dunscombe, drawing 8
| folded paper from his pocket.
"Here, Swift; you ought to be able te
do it best, come and read it to u.s."
As Donald Bruce ros lazily, and
struck a match to light the student lamp
on his Office table, he seemed to tower
above his fellows like a modern Timon
not so much from any superiority il
height as from a certain erect carriqgt
| of his massive head and shoulders, ar
erectness that suited well with his large
strongly-marked features and loose
m~assfveness of dark hair. All of the
five were intelligent, earnest, we'll
looking men, with much of the yigol
and enthusiasm OF extreme youth yet
about them. This dropping into Dar
Bruce's law Office, to have a chat ovel
their pipes in the twilight, had come t.
be an almost daily occurrence with the
friends, and all felt more er less ag.
| grieved when, by chance, any one o
the five happened to be absent.
Many had been the earnest talks
quiet, unobtrusive charities, boyish es
capades and wars of merry badinage
those twilight meetings had resulted
in, but this babe fair to be al
evening of evenings something tt
be remembered in the dim futures
the time when they had outdone al
former efforts by adopting an authoress
In the meantime Harry Swift had be
gun his reading. The story was l
pretty little conceit enough, and toll
in a pleasant style, but showing asligh
faint of morbidness. AS the reader
voice ceased Garry De Whit said com
plimentarily: THAT isn't bad"
NO." ~acquiesced Bruce. but wit
an emphasis on the last word that en-
ttirely destroyed the complimentar.
tone; 'sthat isn't bad"
"Bruce is grouty because nobody OF
fers to keep him six months while h
writes a novel;" laughed Mclean; an
when little De Whit added:
ssWe would find it a rather more eS
pensive amusement, / I'M thinking,
even Bruce joined good-naturedly i
the laugh at his expense.
"You will play the publisher, will 20
not?" Dr.. Dunscombe again inquired
him, as they buttoned up their coat
and drew on their gloves preparation
to turning out into the cold streets, an
Bruce answered ungraciously:
81 suppose likely: but l am an unde
niable proof that the fools aren't a
dead yet"
The friends made their appearance
in the warm, cosy office unusuall
early the next night, and there was
storm of questions for Bruce.
swell, did you go?"
what did she sayP"
"Hope you have settled it."
"Out with it, old fellow"
To all of which Bruce misquotet
gravely, as he stood with his back t
the fire:
"I went, 1 saw, I conquered"
$50 far, so good, then," commente
the doctor, as he rubbed his hands i
high good humor before the cheerfl
blaze. 1 feel as though a load had bee
taken off my mind. That girl and hi
mother have worried me more than
little"
"And yet I should think you woul
meet with many infinitely sadder an
. more wretched cases than theirs, in tt
course of your practice" said Harl
, Swift, thoughtfully.
s'More wretched, yes," answered IL
doctor, in the same tone. "Sadder, n
These women are evidently as gentl
refined ladies as our own mothers ar
sisters, and they are struggling despe
f ately with a poverty which is hard
6 and more cruel to them than great,
, depth would be to coarser and lie
!. sensitive natures. You see there is 6
innate pride against acknowledging
D as poverty, and, throwing aside 8
innocent -disguises, allowing it to sta
: forth and assert itself. The bittere
part of penury with men and womt
:. Uho hayo hoon oraptlu horn ond hrol