Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1892-05-27
THE EDITORS WOOING.
by HELEN FORREST GRAVES.

The editor had lighted his cigal
just as the level light glimmcring
through his by 10 means immaculate
s'sanctum" windows, indicated that
the glorious orb of day, some what
obscured in fog and metropolitan
smoke, was about to disappear behind,
not exactly the western hills, but
what came to the same thing in city,
the western roofs and chimney tops.
Karl Rubens, the editor of the
weekly Sinner, was tall, bright look
ing man of thirty years, one of those
individuals whose very face and feat
ures indicate that they are born to
conquer destiny. He had been very
successful through life, but it was be-
cause lie had demanded success with
a courageous pcrsistency that would
not be denied. Brown-haired, with
careless, wavy locks, dropping low
upon his forehead, and dark brown
eyes, verging upon black, lie was not
handsome, yet the eye rested with
pleasure upon his face, and in his
light editorial coat, somewhat worn
at the elbows and shiny at the seams,
and the velvet cap, tasse.ed and
braided with gold, he looked every
inch the chivalrous and frank-hcartcd
American. Or, we might phrase it
"gentleman,D did wenot secretly be-
lieve that the former title is far The
noblcr and more comprehensive of the
two.
As we said before, Mr.. Rubens was
just drawing the first Inhalation of his
Havana, when the door opened softly,
and beautiful young lady rustlcd in !;
young lady whom he had met a
score of times in the gas-lighted
drawing-ro ms of "society," whose
beauty lie had worshipped afar of,
and whom lie had unconsciously as
associated in his mind with diamonds,
pearly silks and tullc draperics. Topped
up with hot-housc flowers.
lie started up, coloring, and thrust
ing his weed behind pile of "ency-
ciopedias."
''Miss Ainsliel"
cam intcrrupting you, Mr. Ru-
bens? she asked, softly.
'Interrupting me? Not in the least
in the world; inf Ct, feel very much
honored by-by please take a
chair"
And Karl tipped heap of yet I'M
scissored newspapers of the nearest
chair and drew it eagerly forward.
Blanche Ainslie sat down, her pale
blue silk dress subsiding round her
like the pillows of sapphire sea.
Blanche Ainslic was very handsome,
with azure eyes, and bright, chestnut
brown hair, while her complexion,
although rather pale, was clear as
ivory, and her features were as deli
cate as if she had been Greek girl in
the days of old Praxileles.
While Karl unconsciousIy noted
these things in his mind he was mar
yelling inwardly what lucky chance
had procured him this visit. Did she
mean 10 invite him TO one of the
soirces of her uncle, the rich old
broker, or was some surprise party on
the tapis, too exclusive for the Or
binary medium of cards or scented
paper? For Mr.. Rubcns rather pridcd
himself upon the cntrec he was be-
ginning to gain within the enchanted
portals Of New York society. Almost
at the same moment Blanche looked
up.
"lou are wondering what brings
me here,' she said, half-smiling.
whatever 1t was, can but thank
the opportunity" Karl answered, with
prompt gallantry, although he could
feel the tell-talc blood rising to his
cheek.
"And l may as well tell you the
whole truth at once" said Blanche.
her voice faltcring slightly, and two
red spots glowing upon her temples.
"My Uncle George failed last week
and we arc going to be very poor"
"Failedl" echoed Karl. s.Surelv Il
cannot be possible-at least that is I
had not heard of itv'
"But it lie true, nevertheless" Miss
Ainslie said; sand all the world will
know of it but too soon. And Mr.
Rubens," she added in lower and
moro hcsitating voice, az must do
something for my own support-either
teach, sew, play companion TO an in
valid lady, or earn my living in some
way not unbeftting a gentlemau,s