The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1885-07-23
MY FIRST LOVE STORY.

MY FIRST LOVE STORY.
"How does it sound Susan? Is it in
teresting? and do you think it is
natual?"
lasked these questions anxiously, az
I laid down my manuscript, and Susan
hesitated as she answered.: "Well, il
you want to know my candid opinion
Miss Margie, it's just this. You see
you're not in love, so how can you write
about what you do not understand? Tt
my mind, that is not possible, and that's
why your love stories don't succeed"
Susan's words carried an unpleasant
conviction with them. I was not quite
twenty-five, and I had already won 6
fair reputation as a writer of short
stories, except on one theme. I had
never, try as might, written success
full love story.
The one I had just read to Susan was
my latest effort, and, as usual, I felt
that it was failure. But I only re.
piled somewhat petulantly:
"Well, Susan, I cannot fall in love as
a mere matter of business, you know
so don't see what is to be DONE"
"Dear, hear it's too bad, sighed Su-
san: but would rot cOntinne the con-
versation. I thrust the MS. into my
desk and decided to spend the rest OF
the morning in the woods by way of
restoring my downcast spirits.
Susan was an important person to
me, as she was at once my maid, COM
panion, confdant and friend. She was
also an excellent critic, and I had often
found her Judgment invaluable. That
morning, however, I felt vexed with
her and with all the world, so when I
returned from my ramble was not at
all pleased to find that new boarder
had arrived, and was seated on the
piazza,a s if he was waiting to greet me.
This was Lyman Ashford. ayoung law
yer, and great favorite with my sister
and her husband, at whose house he
was constant visitor.
Although we had been much togeth-
er during the past year, and although I
knew him to be as clever as he was
handsome, he had never interested me
in the least. Now, when he came to
meet me with such smiling con-
fdence, as if he had claim on my time
not to he gainsaid, I felt that my
manner was far from gracious. men
toned very briefly the reasons which
had drawn me to place where I could
be undisturbed, upon which Mr.. Ash
ford said quickly:
"You have stated my case, too, Miss
Carleton. I am busily engaged on a
compilation, which though it needs no
little originality calls for much hard
work. So I came here to finish it. "
Then he bowed and left me much to my
relief, and I saw no more of him for
some days.
Meanwhile was working hard at my
new story, but making very little pro-
gress.
I wrote and re-wrote, tore up my
sheets, and began again, but felt at
heart that I was not succeeding, and
began to be melancholy and morose.
One evening Susan was evidently in a
very excited mood. Instead of listen
ing to my complaints with her usual pa
thence, she exclaimed eagerly: ''Oh,
Miss Margie, I've got an idea. If you
had real lover to study-one who was
dreadfully in love, you wouldn: t
that help you? Couldn't you put
down what he said and thought"
"Why, yes, of course I could but
where could such lover be found ?
And do you suppose, you foolish thing,
that he would lay bare his heart for my
inspection?" I asked, laughing in
spite of myself.
Susan looked mysterious. "But,
Miss Margie, I've seen the lover already,
and I've heard him, too; so there's one
difficulty out of the way. Oh! he talks
just like book, I can tell you! If you
could only hear him!"
"Why, Susan, this is astonishing!" I
cried; "and. pray, who is this wonder
full lover?"
cts Mr. Ashford! He and have had
a great many talks. and he's in love
with a young lady who doesn't care for
him, though he loves her to distraction,
he says"
"Mr. Ashford" I repeated, amazed.
"Well, he must be a strange man to
talk so freely of his love affairs to you, -
"And why not to me, Miss Margie? ?"
said Susan, looking hurt. I'm sure I
wouldn't betray the poor young mans Sc
cret for the world land he said it did him
good to talk to me"
II don't doubt that, my, dear Susan
You are one of the best of comforters"
Unanswered soothingly; "but then you
know men are not generally so commun-
icative about such affairs"
"Welf, Mr.. Ashford is, any way, and
Tn glad of it, because now I can tell
you all about his feelings" persisted
Susan.
"But I don't think I ought to listen,
Susan; indeed, I'm sure I ought not,
since it is not meant for me to hear" I
said; and from this resolution all Susan s
persuasions failed to move me.
The next day, however, she began
triumphantly: Well, then, Miss Mar
Slo, 1GS jill SeUV1eu, duu AOpe YOU
won't think I've been too meddlesome :;
but I wanted to help you along. I've
spoken to Mr.. Ashford about your story,
and he says that if you'll allow him a
sitting CHATS what he called it, every
day, he will be most happy to pose as a
hopeless lover! Those are his very
words, Miss; and I do think it's very
ooh, Susanp' I exclaimed, in alarm.
"What have you been saying to Mr..
Ashford? I am afraid you've been ter
ribly indiscreet!'
"Not a bit, Miss Margie, not bit
I've only interested him iii your story.
Now you just give him half an hour or
SO every morning, and see what a help
it will be-"
It is useless to repeat all the converse
ton between Susan and myself on this
subject. Let it suffice that I was won
over at last, and daily interview was
agreed upon, wherein Mr.. Ashford was
to act the part of a despairing lover and
I was at liberty to sketch from life.
0ur f;rot tsoiftino 90 NO orroo1 m