Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-12-10
MR.. ASHFORD'S "SITTINGS.'

III liz hDkll OllD - III Inv Ds
'Therel how does it sound, Susani Is il
Interestingly And do you think it is natural"
/ asked these questions anxiously, as l laid
down my manuscript; and Susan hesitated
as she answered: "Well, if 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 understands To my mind,
that's not possible; and that's why your love
stories don't succeed"
Susan's words carried an unpleasant con-
viction with them. was not quite twenty
two, and | had already won a fair reputa-
ton as a writer of short stories, except on
one theme. l had never, try as l might,
written successful love story.
The one had just read to Susan was my
latest effort, and, as usual, | felt that it was
a failure But L only replied, somewhat pet
ulantly: "WelI, Susan, can't fall In love as
a mere matter Of business, you know; SO
don't see what is to be done"
Dear, dearl It's too bad, ;" sighed Susan;
but l would not continue the conversation.
l thrust the unlucky manuscript into my
desk, and decided TO spend the rest of the
morning In the woods by way Of restoring
my downcast spirits.
Susan WIS an important person to me, 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 veKed with
her and with all the world. SO when / re.
turned from my ramble I was not at all
pleased TO find that new boarder had ar
rived and was seated on the piazza as Il
waiting to greet me- This was Lyman Ash
ford, young lawyer, and a favorite with
my sister and her husband, at whose house
he was q 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 to meet me with smiling confidence
as if he bad claim on my time not to be
gainsaid, felt that my manner was far from
gracious; so l 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 my
case, too, Miss Carleton. l am busily en-
gagged on a compilation which, though ID
needs no originality, calls for much hard
work So came here to finish it." Then he
bowed and left me, much 70 my relief, and
saw no more of him for some days.
Meanwhile l was working hard at my 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 to be melancholy
and morose. One evening Susan was evi-
IDENTITY In a very excited mood Instead of
listening to my plants with her usual pa
thence, she exclaimed: "Oh, Miss Margie,
I've got an idea If you had a real lover to
study-one who was dreadfuny in love, you
know-wouldn't that help you9 Couldn't
you put down what be said and thought2'
"Why, yes, of course | could; but where
could such lover be founds And do you
suppose, you foolish thing that he would lay
bare his heart for my inspection" l 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; so there's one difficulty out
of the way. Oh, he talks Just like book,
can tell you'll"
why, Susan, this is astonishing" cried;
land, pray, who is this wonderful lovers"
ats Mr. Ashford He and have had q
great many talks, and be is in love with q
young Indy who doesn't care for him, though
he loves her TO distraction, he says"
Mr. Ashford" repeated, amazed "Well,
he must be a strange man to talk so freely OF
his love affairs TO you"
"And why not 10 me. Miss Margie!" 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-"
a. H.,
are one Of the best of comforters,n I an
swered. soothingly; but, then, you know
men are not generally communicative 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 ought to listen, Susan
indeed, Tn sure | ought not, since it is not
meant for ne TO hear" | said, and from this
resolution al Susan's persuasions failed TO
move me.
The next day, however, she began trium-
phantly; We'll, then, Miss Margie, it's all
settled, and hope You won't think I've been
too meddlesome; but | wanted to help you
along. I've spoken to Mr.. Ashford about
your story, and he SAYS that, II you'll allow
him to give you sitting that's what he
called III every day, he will be most happy
to pose as an unhappy lover. Those are his
very words. miss, and l do think it's very
kind of him"
"Oh, SusanI" exclaimed in alarm, what
have You been saying to Mr.. Ashfordi l am
afraid you have been terribly indiScreet."
Not bit, Miss Margie, not q bit! I've
only interested him in yoUr story. Now You
just give him half an hour or 50 every morn
ing, and see what help 1t viii be.
1t is needless TO repeat all the conversation
between Susan aid myself on this subject
Let il suffice that was won over at last and
q daily interview was agreed upon. wherein
Mr.. Ashford was % enact the part Of q de-
spairing lover, and l was ct liberty TO sketch
from life.
Our first sitting" as we agreed 70 call
our meetingS would have been embarrassing
as well as awkward, but must own that Mr..
Ashford behaved splendidly. he thanked me
for rly kindness in allowing him TO be OF
some service 20 me, and then, after . while,
DE began to speak in the most charming way
about the Young lady with whom be was IN