Mower County transcript., 1890-10-08

particularly nice married. men have, IN
tho majority Of cases, been made 80 by
the companionship Of good wives You
will have to turn some ugly duokling
into swan some day" "
"Neverl Momsey; ia rather be .
spinster az my days than take some
callow youth to raise" was tho ener-
getio response. &.,..- :.
So jean sent the editor sample copy
OF her "wares," which he deemed
worthy. of publication. Some CORE.
spondence, ostensibly on business, en-
sued and along toward Christmas time
he secured her work on another paper,
which proved good practice II not very
remunerative. .-.'.
One snowy night mother and daughter
were settled in their CHEEKY little par
lor for quiet evening Of pen-soratching
and reading: The door-bell announced q
callor. Jean, on opening tho fiat door,
saw q man covered with snow, carrying
a bundle Of books. Following out her
first thought that it must be belated
book-agent, she was about to refuse him
admittanco when more comprehensive
glance revealed Mr.. Barrows, who
somewhat nervously said: "Good even
ing, Miss Elford; have brought you
some books which need reviewing. How
arc you at that kind of work?"
Overcoming her surprise, she asked
him in, said something about his kind
ness in coming such bad night, and,
before they quite realized 1t, he was
presented to her mother and drying of
before the open fire. Arrangements
wore made about the book reviewing,
followed by few moments of general
conversation, after which he took leave
es suddenly as he had appeared, re-
marking that he was on his way to q
bachelor dinner given monthly by q
dozen friends Of that order of misan-
thropists.
'Your new friend seems to partake
somewhat of the nature Of whirlwind,
JEAN" said Mrs, Eltord after the door
closed upon the departing surprise.
Eyes, mother; but what is moro
astonishing I verify believe he is an
old bachelor after what he said about
the dinner. It Is fortunate I did not
know that when l went to see him, for
tho halo of q supposititious wife and
family around him softened my horror
Of asking favor Of a strange man,"
Between the time OF the first call and
the summer Mr.. Barrows found consid-
erable business attracting him to
certain quiet uptown fiat Occasionall:
the ladies found themselves at the
theater or opera, followed by dainty
supper with tho acquaintance whose
entrance into their lives had been as
abrupt in every particular as the con-
spicuous characteristic of man.
During the winter Mr.. Barrows talked
the subject was mentioned Jean OK.
perienced an unaccoun bio emotion of
anticipated regret for, notwithstand-
ing the disparity In years, they seemed
to be wonderfully congenial.
One fine May day our young ''literary
lady," as her mother dubbed her. was
standing rapturously gazing into tho
'Jacque" roses and violets were piled in
masses of fragrant beauty. A voice
over her shoulder asked: (Which will
you take%' She turned and saw Ed.
ward Barrows looking down at her
through glasses which failed to hide the
glow of admiration in his keen, gray
eyes of something-she supposed the
flowers. as she knew his passion for
natures beauty spots.
He insisted upon getting her hand
full of roses, and then walked on down
the street enjoying the blue sky, salt
breeze, and tho bright faces Of the null
titude en- promenade in their now spring
clothes.
Jean asked her companion how soon
no expected to sail.
He replied: II am not sure enough
yet to engage my passage"
: Then in his abridged fashion, sug.
gestivo of the blue pencil, he almost
ierked out: miss Jean, wish to en-
large my staff ~.
,..Do you?" she innocently asked.
thinking perhaps q place would be made
for her.
"Yes," he replied, "You came to me
last fall for a position, but had nothing
to give you. Since then have begun a
new column called Love and Matri-
monial Affairs Will you edit this new
venture?'
He enjoyed her puzzled look for a
moment then continued in a low. earn
est tone: This is no place to tell you,
Jean, that when you struck out from
the shoulder that day in my office you
broke down the door Of my heart which
had been bolted for years; but have to
do things when the spirit moves in
order to succeed, and success l must
have or give over the greatest happi-
ness of my life. What do you say,
Jean?'
She had not known herself before,
but the last few moments had taught
her much. She looked at him with a
smile and replied: 81 thought editors
only employed old and experienced
hands for regular employment" -.
THAT means that you. will under
take the work, dearest?' he asked in
whisper, IS they mounted the stairs to
the elevated road. .z..es,
''1'll consider and send you telegram
or postal as to my. conclusion; or, per-
b aps you will come out tonight for q
verbal reply she flashed back as she
stepped aboard the train.