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


The editor had lighted his cigar
just as the level light glimmcring
through his by no means immaculate
"sanctum' windows, indicated that
tho glorious orb of day, somewhat
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 tho
weekly Sinner, was a tall, bright look
ing man of thirty years, one of those
individuals whose very face and feat
ures indicate that they are born ia
conquer destiny. He had been very
successful through life, but it was be-
cause he had demanded success will
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, 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, lie looked every
inch the chivalrous and frank-hearted
American. Or, we might phrase il
"gentlcman," did we not secretly be-
lieve that the 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 lie had met a
score of times i'll the gas-lightcd
drawing-ro ms of "socieiy," whose
beauty lie had worshipped afar off,
and whom he had unconsciously as
associated in his mind with diamonds,
pcarly silks and tullc draperies. loopcd
up with dollhouse flowers.
lie started up, coloring, and thrust
ing his weed behind pile of "cncy-
clopcdias."
"Miss Ainslie!"
Gam l intcrrupting you, Mr.. Ru-
bens?n she asked, softly.
"Interrupting me? Not in the least
in the world in ct, l feel very much
honored by by please take a
chair"
And Karl tipped heap of yet UNI
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 q 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 unconsciously noted
these things in his mind he was mar
yelling inwardly what lucky chance
had procured him this visit. Did she
mean to 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.. Rubens rather pridetl
himself upon the entree lie was be-
ginning TO gain within the enchanted
portals of New York society. Almost
at the same moment Blanche looked
up.
"You are wondering what brings
me here,7 she said, half-smiling.
whatever it was, l can but thank
the opportunity" Karl answered, with
prompt gallantry, although he could
feel the tell-tale blood rising to his
check.
"And l may as well tell you the
whole truth at once" said Blanche,
her voice faltering slightly, and two
red spots glowing upon her temples.
"My Uncle George failed last week,
and we are going to be very poor"
"Failedl" echoed Karl. "Surely il
cannot be possible-at least that is
had not heard of it!'
''Rut it 10 true, nevertheless" Miss
Ainslie said; "and all the world will
know of it but too soon. And Mr..
Rubens,+ sine added iii lower and
more hesitaiing voice, 81 must do
something for my own support-eilher
teach, sew, play companion TO an in-
valid lady, or earn my living in some
way not unbciitting a gentleman