West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1888-07-05

lie Mckay, aud the editor repeated Il to
himself musingly.
She was evidently n writer OF ability.
and he would Just write her a little note
OF acceptance, with a request, also, that
she would become regular contributor
to the paper.
Then he thrust it into an envelope and
laid IL beside another undirected wrap-
per which contained the little poem with
the fateful words, mot available
branded upon its first page.
1t was almost dinner time. and editors
as well as more commonplace mortals.
feel the cravings of appetite. Herman
Seville began TO think Of the waats of
his inner man. then his thoughts went
back to the sentimental note he had writ
ten TO the girl he loved, and glancing at
the first lines, that there should be no
mistake, he placed that also in an en-
velope
Just then the telephone set up such a
Jabbering that he sprang up and answered
a message; then he directed those letters
and mailed them on his way TO dinner
And, as Inc seated himself at the hotel
table, and trihe impatiently, perhaps.
awaited the filing OF the bill OF fare, he
had the calm selfconsciousness of having
done a big stroke of business.
Yes, he had really done much more
than he gave himself credit for.
That same evening he called at the
home OF Ethel Yinton, the young lady to
whom he had'that forenoon penned such
a tender little note
He was to be her escort TO an opera.
aud the anticipation of spending the
evening by her side was very pleasing.
His surprise, therefore, may be imagined
when, instead of his charmer, he found
note awaiting him. She had decided
not TO attend the opera, and the maid
handed him a letter. Ahl that would
doubtless explain Perhaps the dear girl
was Ill and with that regrctful thought,
the editor consigned the note TO a breast
pocket in the Immediate region of his
heart. Then he went back to his
sanctum.
A lady, tall and angular, with her
head and face enveloped in a bright
green veil, that quito enshrouded ner
features, arose from his office chair as he
entered, with bow which did credit TO
her early training Then, in precise and
measured words. she proceeded to ex-
press her qualification at being at last
appreciated. That her little poem must
be a success she had been confident, and
she was delighted at his request. Ger
tainly, she would furnish poem week
ly, on any sub blect, in any style of verse.
and of any desired length.
ut was so easy for her 10 rhyme" she
said, and she threw back the folds of
vivid green that had concealed her face,
and revealed the thin, lank visage of a
maiden of forty-five summers.
She had sallow complexion, her
piercing black eyes were small and gilt
tering, and about her temples she wore
short, corkscrew curls that bobbed up
and down in her earnestness.
Her gaze was fixed upon the editors
face, and he seemed quite mystified re
garding her meaning; but when at last
she paused for breath, he gave utterance
to his thoughts
'My dear madame" he said, concilia-
tingly, as the elderly aspirant for poetic
fame stepped expectantly forward, IL
think there must be a mistake"
How, or where.the mistake had been
made he was still at loss TO determine.
"a mistake" exclaimed the woman,
in high-pitched tone. "How can il
be- You needn't deny that you wrote
this; your own name is signed to it; +"
aud she held before him the note which
he had written to Mile Mckay, the ac.
ceptance of her sketch, the request that
she should become regular contributor
Yes, there at the bottom of the page
was his name, but the address on the
envelope was to Mehitable Smith.
"The dickens What have / done7"
Herman Seville CALCULATED, and he drew
from hls breast pocket the note which he
huI q u. IL.
ciOus note that was TO explain why Ethel
Vinton had refused to attend the opera
in his company. The wrapper only en-
closed his own note TO Ethel, but inside
OF it instea1 of the tender sentiments
which he had written, was Mehitable
Smiths poem, the mot available" and
he passed it TO the indignant lady.
"You see / have made b'under" no
went on, apologetically. "This, madam,
was designed for you, and / sincerely re-
gret that ! should have raised any falso
hopes regarding your poem; but really
hand than we shall be able to use for a
long time"
"YoU may spare your regrets Miss
Smith exclaimed, Indignantly, as her
small black eyes flashed fire. ''Men are
Afttf~f fAiA Va tANhAl HHA 4 HAiEnt nhNt
known that your word could not be de-
pended upon" then drawing the green
veil over her sallow yisage, she dashed
from the room, and Herman Seville be-
gan TO pace the floor
lt was an unfortunate mistake, but
he would call at Mr.. Vinton's in the
morning and Ethel would laugh at the
righteousness Of the affair.
But he was not through with troubles
for although he slept that night, his vi.
siOns were haunted with elderly maidens,
maidens with piercing eyes and huge
bundles Of poems, and he arose an hour
earlier than usual and aided his digestion
by morning walk.
That forenoon he called at Mr.. Vim
tons residence, but again Ethel sent ex-
cuses, and he returned to his sanctum
with the uncomfortable feeling that he
had not been guided by heavens first
law in his literary work Of the previous
day.
Another surprise awaited him. Seated
at the street window OF his Office was a
lady, young and bright, and piquant ia
expression, with large hazel eyes, and
fair thoughtful face; her vivid lips had
a bowildoring, fascinating curve, though
they seemed a trife too firmly set and
in her checks was n tint like the lining
Of a rare seasholl
She arose and met him with an omen