The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1885-09-10
MY STORY.
By MRS. Z. T. CORBETT.

alp"
asked those questions anxiously. as l
laid down my manuscript, and Susan hes
itated as she answered: "Well if you
want to know my cardid opinion, Miss
Margie, its just this. You see, you're not
IN love and never have been in love. so
how can you write about what you don't
understand ? To my mind that's not pos
sible. and that's why your love stories
don't succeed"
| Susan's words carried an unpleasant
conviction with them. / was not quite
twenty-five, and had already won fair
reputation as a writer Of short stories.
| except on one theme. had never, try as
l might, written a successful love stoi '.
The one had just read to Susan, was
my latest effort, and, as usual, 1 felt that
it was failure. But only replied some
what petulantly:
swell, Susan, l cannot fall in love as
q mere matter of business, you know; 80
L don't see what is to be done"
Dear, dear It's too bad" sighed Su-
san but would not continue the CONVEX
sation. | thrust the unlucky 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, confdant,
old friend. She was also an excellent
critic, and had often found her judgment
invaluable. That morning, however, l
felt vexed with her and all the world, 80
when l returned from my ramble l was
not at all pleased to find that a new
boarder had arrived and was seated on
the piazza, as if he was waiting to greet
me. This was Lyman Ashford, a young
lawyer, and a great favorte of my sister
and her husband, at whose house he was
constant visitor
Although We had been much together
during the past year, and although |
knew him to be as clever as he was hand
some, he had never interested me in the
least. Now, when he came to meet me
with such smiling confidence, as if he
had claim on my time not to be gain
said, l felt that my manner was far from
gracious. l mentioned very briefly the
reasons which had drawn me to a place
where l could be undisturRed, upon which
Mr.. Ashford said quickly:
You have stated my case too, Miss
Carleton. l am busily engaged on a
compilation, which, though it needs no
originality, calls for much hard work So
l came here to finish it." Then he bowed
and left me, much to my relief, and saw
no more of him for some days.
Meanwhile | was working hard at my
new story, but making very little pro-
gress.
wrote and rewrote, tore up my sheets
and began again, but felt at heart that
was not succeeding, and began to be
melancholy and morose. One evening
Susan was evidently in a very excited
mood. Instead of listening to my plants
with her usual patience, she exclaimed
ooh Miss Margie, Pve got an idea. If
you had real lover to study-one who
was dreadfully in love, you know
wouldn't that help you? Couldn't you
put down what he said and thought ?"
"Why, yes, of course | could, but
where could such a lover be found ?
And do you suppose, you foolish thing,
that he would lay bear his heart for my
inspection ?" asked, laughing in spite Of
myself.
Susan looked mysterious. "Bnt, Miss
Margie, I've seen the lover already, and
I've heard him, too; so, there's one diff
Guilty out of the way. Oh, he talks just
like book, can tell your'
"Why, Susan, this is astonishing !" |
cried "and pray, who is this wonderful
lover %
"It's Mr.. Ashford. He and / have
had a great many talks, and he's in love
with young lady who doesn't care for
him, though he loves her to distraction,
| he says"
"Mr. Ashfordr' l repeated, amazed
"Well, he must be strange man to talk
80 freely of his love affairs to YOU"
"And why not to me, Miss Margie p
said Susan, looking hurt. Pm sure l
wouldn't betray the young mans secret
for the world, and he said it did him good
| to talk to me-"
al don't doubt that, my dear Susan.
you are one of the best of comfort
ers," l answered, soothingly; "but then
you know men are not generally 30 COM
| municative about such affairs"
"Well, Mr.. Ashford is, anyway, and
I'm glad of it, because now ! can tell you
all about his feelings" persisted Susan.
"But don't think l ought to listen.
Susan indeed, I'm sure ought not, since
it is not meant for me to hear" l said,
and from this resolution all Susan's per-
suasions failed to move me.
The next day, however, she began tri-
umphantly: Dwell, then, Miss Margie,
it's all settled, and l hope you won't
think I've been too meddIesOme but
wanted to help you along. I've spoken
to Mr.. Ashford about your story, and he
says that if you'll allow him to give you
sitting" chats what he called it) ev
cry day, he will lie most happy to pose as
| happy lover! Those are the very words,
miss, and l do think IT'S very kind of
| him."
"Oh, Susan!'' exclaimed in alarm,
/" what have you been saying to Mr.. Ash:
ford? / am afraid you have been terrible
indiscreet.
"Not bit, Miss Margie, not . bit
I've only interested him in your story.
Now you just give him half an hour or so
every morning, and see what help it
will be-"
It is needless to repeat all the conver-
sation between Susan and myself on this
subject. Let it suffice that / was won
over at last, and daily interview was
agreed upon, wherein Mr.. Ashford was to
enact the part of despairing lover, and
l was at liberty to sketch from life.
Our first sitting" as We agreed to
Aw flVVN-