The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1890-06-01
MY PORTIA.
AN STORY.

left here this fornoon,'' said she. sweetly.
"The sonnet-Yes; | read il. 1t is deep
and-well, il Is, without a doubt, Miss
Mayne, il is grand" l finally managed to
reply:
red, THAT il is too vague, n that the one
TO whom i is addressed might not arrive
at the right conclusion"
"Not at all, Miss Mayne! not ut ALL" l
assured her. But what IL was i had as
sured her l couldn't tell. was becoming
excited.
Next week." said she shyly, an SUBJ
init a short story, the hero OF which is an
editor"
"very appropriate" said |, choking
down a word Of endearment about to es-
cape. She, my Portia, was going to make
me the subject of o story, the darling!
"And," she continued, II have thought
some of making him a country editor"
"Ex-actly," said l, rubbing my hands
gleefully, and drawing my chair a little
nearer.
~ have just completed q skeleton of it,"
said my darling Portia' land pa thinks 1t
no doubt, Por-Miss Mayne," said I,
W little contributors pa.
show long | shall make il ! cannot say
perhaps n column and a half"
Don't be sparing Of space, my-Miss
Mayne," hastily interrupted, "Tll make
room for il il l have TO cut out a column
or two of patent medicine ads"
avery WELL" said she, laughing. "Ill
enter into details more than had at first
intended"
''Just so, just so; and should you desire
any. pointers on the art .preservative, l
shall gladly assist YOU"
"Why," said she, abruptly, didn't you
know that I've been compositor and as
sistant editor for fully five years"
] was too astounded 10 answer. My
Portia editor and ~compositor! o de-
lightful and handy these accomplish
ments would prove when she-my sweet
~Portia-were all my own.
"Yes. indeed" she continued, receiving
no answer to her query, "pa was owner of
a paper once and that's where he got his
colonel from-and you didn't know it,"
One idol shattered, i supposed the dig
nihed Col. Bristol Mayne had Aft in war
and had consequently looked with pleas
ure to the great honor his title would re-
feet upon me and my Portia But after all,
what's In a name? She saw the shade OF
disappointment pass over my face and
said:
"You thought he was an old soldier
didn't you? Ha. la, ha!" oh, how she
laughed-my darling Portia! II was all I
her in my arms there and then n de-
clare my burning love. Then an idea
came TO me. | would ask her assistance.
The ''jour" was drunk n two gallcys
''pied." She would be willing, aye glad,
Miss Mayne," said i. ait is both a sur.
prise and n pleasure to know you have
had experience in the newspaper bust.
ness. know IL is a great deal to ask,
but"
"what is II t." she asked cycling me as.
kance.
H.. IN, ho,rs b...,r ,.,ll r..1 I,ra
In that glance: l was sure ] could. But |
must not be too precipitate. Calming my.
"Miss Mayne, would you mind assisting
me to-day? My compositor Is under the
weather., well-attack Of cholera NOR
bus, / guess, and he has taken n small
drink Of liquor to offset it," ] lat to pre-.
~varicate; il was my only alternative.
"Why, that Is really too bad" said she,
with what / knew to be mock seriousness,
"Certainly I'll assist" removing her bon
net.
The dear, darling little Portia. All, how
l trembled at thought Of the joy TO come,
the prize almost within my grasp.
"Tm ready" said she, with q smile tina
nearly turned my head.
"This way. please" said I, leading hel
to cases opposite where my ~''jour" la,
snoring.
She heard the snore and turned hel
glance In that direction.
"Poor fellow, Inc sleeps soundly.' sh,
said, a smile lurking in thec corners OF her
pretty little mouth.
ayes, he is out of danger now.' holdinI
back a crossword that nearly slipped out
Handing her n rule and stick l went tc
the hook for copy.
"Let me set the sonnet first, will your
she asked, playfully tossing her queenl,
head, the sweet little Portia, mine to b.
and soon!
"Certainly, certainly, |" said I, sit is her
no, IL isn't. Where did ] go, ! wonder
all, IL may be i'm the Office" going there
with Portia close behind. Great Caesar
what was ! &C. do! A thought came.
"Did you intend toto publish the son
metz" | asked, with the very essence o
sweetness.
"why of course, unless-it Is not avail
able" said she lowering her long lashes
Available? Indeed il Is, Miss Wayne
Where in the world did put IL. All! yes
} here IL is In my pocket" affecting SUI
prise.
"You read il carefully, then? ?" said she
on seeing the manuscript and the littl
note together.
|, me much pleasure. / would suggest
change in the title, however. say t
, My Dear Love- or something similal
say-"
/ aRats,- chimed in a sepulchral voice.
"what was that" asked Portis
4. alarmed.
: "Only the print. he's dreaming" e,
I planned. choking back an imprecation.
"lou may change the title II you wisl
y for I do love him dearly" sale she. blusl
ing and turning her head.
This confession was too much for M
nerves. Ny darling Portia, my littI
/ uueeni She loved me-, and told me :