Rock Island daily Argus., 1889-12-17
Mr.. ASHFORD'S "SITTINGS.'

''Therel how does IL sound. Susani Is It
Interestingly And do you think II Is naturalf'
! asked these questions anxiously, as laid
down my manuscript; and Susan hesitated
rs she answered: well, il you want to know
my candid opinion, Miss Margie, it's 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 possible; and that's why your love
stories don't succeed"
SuSans words carried an unpleasant con-
viction with them. was not quite twenty
two, and l had already won fair reputa-
tion as a writer of short stories, except on
one theme. l had never, try as l might,
written n successful love story.
The one had just read 70 Susan was my
latest effort, and as usual, felt that it was
a failure. But ! only replied, somewhat pet
ulantly; 'Well, Susan, can't fall in love as
a mere matter OF business, you know; so /
don't see what is 10 be done
Dear, deari It's too bad sighed Susan;
but would not continue the conversation.
thrust the unlucky manuscript into my
desk, and decided 10 spend the rest Of the
morning IN the woods by way of restoring
my downcast spirits.
1eo~aa was oh lpA tsAilA lscISbn 10 NE, as
she was at once my maid, confidante, old
friend. She was also an excellent critic, and
had often found her Judgment invaluable.
That morning, however, felt vexed with
her and with all the world, so when re-
turned from my rsmble was not at all
pleased TO find that new boarder had ar
rived and was seated on the piazza as if
waiting TO greet me. This was Lyman Ash
ford, young lawyer. and favorite with
my sister and her husband, at whose house
he was a constant visitor.
Although we had been much together dur
ing the past year, and although knew him
TO be as clever as he was handsome, he had
never interested me in the least Now, when
he came 10 meet me with smiling confidence,
as II he had claim on my time not to be
gainsaid, felt that my manner was far from
gracious; 50 mentioned very briefly the rea-
sons which had drawn me to a place where
could be undisturbed, upon which Mr. Ash
ford said quickly: You have stated nv
case, too, Miss Carleton. / am busily en-
gagged on compilation which, though 1t
needs no originality, calls for much hard
work. So 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 nv new
story. but was making very little progress
wrote and rewrote, tore up my sheets and
began again; but felt at heart that was
not succeeding, and began 10 he melancholy
and morose. One evening Susan was eyi-
IDENTIFY IN very excited mood. Instead OF
listening To NV plants with her usual pa-
tience, she exclaimed: "Oh, Miss Mnrgie.
I've got an idea. II you had "A real lover TO
who was dreadfully In love, you
that help youl Couldn't
you put down what he said and thoughtTr
Why, yes, Of course could; but where
,ould such lover be foundl And do you
you foolish thing, that he would Iay
hare his heart for my Inspection asked,
laughing in spite OF myself
Susan looked mysterious. But, Miss Mar
gle, I've seen the lover already, and I've
heard him, too; 50 there's one difficulty out
1f the way. Oh, be talks just like book, l
,an tell your
why, Susan, this is astonishing,r / cried;
and, pray, who Is this wonderful loverT
Its Mr.. Ashford. He and have had a
yreat many talks, and he is in love with a
rouns lady who doesn't care for him, though
le loves her TO distraction, he SaySn
Mr.. Ashford" repeated, amazed. "Wen.
ie must be strange man TO talk 50 freely of
AS love affairs to you"
And why not TO me. Miss MargieTr said
susan, looking hurt. I'm sure | wouldn't
'etray the young mans secret for the world.
md he said Il did him good to talk to me-
Il don't doubt that, my dear Susan. You
re one OF the best OF comforters,n / an
wered, soothingly; but, then, you know
nen are not generally communicative about
uch affairs
We'll, Mr.. Ashford is anyway, and I'm |
lad OF II, because now / can tell YOU al |
bout his feelings persisted Susan.
but don't think i ought 10 listen Susan: |
indeed, I'm sure / ought not, since il is not |
leant for me to hear, said, and from this /
solution all Susans persuasions failed To
love me
Ihe next day, however, she began trium-
hantly: We'll, then, Miss Margie, it's all /
'ttlsd, and hope YOU won't think I've been
- meddlesOme; but ! wanted 10 help Won
long. I've spoken to Mr.. Ashford about
our story, and he says that. II you'll allow
i'm to give you a sitting that's what he
llied ~ every day, he will be most happy
pose as an unhappy lover. Those are his
'Ty words, miss, and ! do think it's very
ind OF him.
"Oh, Susanr'' exclaimed in alarm. 'syhat |
ave you been saying 10 Mr.. Ashfordf am |
fraid you have been terribly indiscreet.r
Not bit, Miss Margie, not a bit! I've |
My interested him in your story. Now YOU |
lst give him half an hour or 80 every morn
", and see what a help it will be-
II Is needless 10 repeat all the conversation
etween Susan and myself ON this subject.
et It suffice that / was won over at last. and
daily Interview was agreed upon, wherein
Ir. Ashford was to enact the part Of a de
Iairing lover, and was at liberty TO sketch
ON life.
Our first sitting as We agreed 20 call
ar meetings, would have been embarrassing
well as awkward, but must own that Mr..
shfOrd behaved splendidly. He thanked me
" my kindness IN allowing him to be OF
'me service 10 me, and then, after a while.
began to speak In the most charming way
oout the young lady with whom he was in
we, aud whom, for convenience sake. he
llled Daisy, although he said that was not
er true name
j began TO change my opinion OF Mr.. Ash
nd from that day. He was certainly a very
iteresting man, and / wondered why that
upid Daisy could not see it,
Soon | found that these ''sittingsr grew
ore and more interesting as the days went
a, until | could scarcely think OF ANYTHING
So, much TO my own surprise. And what
difference between the language Of genuine
cling and tue poor counterfeits over which
had labored 50 long and so vainlyl By this
me, too, We had somewhat changed the
anner OF our interviews At first | had
ken copious notes, but latterly MIR. Ashford
'd persuaded me to leave the notes until |
as alone, and devote the time spent with
IN to conversation, as baing more sugges-
We Besides, | was now, also by his advice.
aging the part Of the obdurate Daisy, and
ceiving his entreaties and his avowals with
udied GOODNESS and indifference. At first I
'Jected seriously TO this role, as placing me
a very unpleasant position, but slr. Ash
rd insisted that it was the only way in
hich could thoroughly understand his
elings or make any heroine perfectly true
nature, and so yielded. He made IL a
lie after that TO call me Daisy. and he soon
ggested that should call him Lyman, but
al seemed unnecessary. and never tried
at least not in his presence.
would not have minded his calling me
aisy-for he had lovely way Of saying il
II had not begun TO dislike the girl 50 in
nseiy. i was always wondering he hap
ned to fah In love with her, and why he
rs 10 constant to 10 blind and ungrateful a
eature. Often, when he would say that his
lly hone Of haDnine.zz Law In x.,fcrf,... - 1