Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1892-05-27
THE EDITORS WO0ING.
BY HELEN FORREST GRAVES.

BY HELEN FORREST GRAVES.
The editor had lighted his cigar
just as the level light glimmcrine
through his by no means Immaculate
"sanctum' windows, indicated thai
the glorious orb of day, somewhat
obscured in fog and metropolitan
smoke, was about to disappear behind,
not exactly the western hills, but
what camc 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 he had demanded success with
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, he 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 aud
braided with gold, he looked every
inch the chivalrous and frank-hcartcd
American. Or, we might phrase il
stgentIcman," did we not secretly be-
lieve that tho former title is far the
nobler 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 rusiled in;
a young lady whom he had met a
score of times in the gas-lighted
drawing-ro ms of "society," whose
beauty he had worshipped afar off,
and whom he had unconsciously as
associated in his mind with diamonds,
pcarly silks and tullc draperies, Topped
up with hot-housc flowers.
lie started up, eoloring, and thrust
ing his weed behind pile of "ency-
clopcdias.'
"Miss Ainslie!n
cam l intcrrupting you, Mr.. Ru-
bens?'' she asked, softly.
"Interrupting me? Not in the least
in the world; in Ct, feel very much
honorcd by-by please take a
chair
And Karl tipped heap of yet UNI
scissored newspapers Oft the nearest
chair and drew it eagerly forward,
Blanche Ainslie sat down, her pale
blue silk dress subsiding round hel
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 il
the days of old Praxileles.
While Karl unconsciously noted
these things in his mind he was mar
yelling inwardly what lucky chanc,
had procured him this visit. Did sht
mean to invite him to one of tht
soirees of her uncle, the rich OLE
broker, or was some surprise party oil
the tapis, too exclusive for the or
binary medium of cards or scented
paper? For Mr.. Rubens rather pridet
himself upon the entree he was be
ginning TO gain within the enchanted
portals of New York society. Almos
at the same moment Blanche locke,
up.
"You are wondering what bring
me here" she said, half-smiling.
"Whatever it was, can but thanl
the opportunity" Karl answered, witt
prompt gallantry, although he coul'
feel the tell-tale blood rising to hi
| check.
"And | may as well tell you til
whole truth at once" said Blanche
her voice faltering slightly, and tw
red spots glowing upon her temples
"My Uncle George failed last week
and we are going to be very poor.p
"Failedl" echoed Karl. "Surely i
cannot be possible-at least that is
had not heard of tn
''But it 10 true, nevertheless, Mis-
Ainslie said; ''and all the world wi
know of it but too soon. And MI
Rubens,' she added in lower an
more hesitating voice, 81 must d
something for my own support-eithc
teach, sew, play companion to an il
valid lady, or earn my living in som
way not unbcfitting a gentleman