The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1895-11-12

down for all the rights of his book.
How he walked home from the office
he never knew, and he wondered why
he had not cabbed it. He remem.
bered changing his check at the aank,
buying quarter cigar. which he en-
loyed with great gusto, and visiting
his tailor's, where he purchased a
ready made suit and was measured for
various others. Ofcourse, he would
have to change his lodgings now. He
could not entertain interviewers in his
present garnet.
Arrived home, he desired to wipe of
his debts with the landlady at once,
showering carelessly upon the table in
her best parlor handful of gold,
which took all the breath from the old
lady's body. She was in no hurry,
however. There was avisitor upstairs
waiting for him.
"a man." gasped Brandon, with a
sinking heart, rs his mind flew to in
reviewers. But it was a lady, ms he
quickly discovered, and that lady.
Minnie. His heart beat rapidly, his
breath came quickly, his eyes cleaned
brightly, and he was about to catch
her in his arms when he remembered
that she belonged to another, and the
memory crushed him.
He attempted to speak, but sud
den attack Of aphasia stilled his
tongue, and he sank into chair and
covered his face with his hands, while
the lump that had risen in his throat
almost choked him.
aren't you well, Brandon?" Min
ME inquired, alarmed at his appear
ance. She placed her small hand low
ingly upon his burning forehead, but
he WINGED at the touch as though it
was something that hurt him. care
you i'll, dear?" and she sank on her
knees and strove to pull his hands
from his face.
cit was only n Joke, darling, only n
Joke she cried, piteously. her eyes
wet with tears. az an not going to
marry Olcott."
Brandon sat upright suddenly, his
face very white.
"You are not?" ms he caught her
wrists in a frantic grasp
''No, mol Forgive me, dearest. /
thought if 1 told You that, you would
fancy L was happy, and SO be able to
work. You said So"
Brandon sighed deeply, bent and
kissed her.
81 might have killed myself" he re-
marked presently.
"You had too much pride" she
was smiling now.
"But why have you come here
again?"
"You never wrote to me, Brandon,
and / thought I"
"You feared 1 should do what You
knew [ would not. That's like n
womanl' aud he laughed lightly.
But it's all over now, Minnie. /
have completed my book and sold it
to the Irvines for $1,000. The an
nouncement of your engagement
kicked my pride SO hard that 1 had To
do something desperate"
Minnie was splendid actress.
"What?" craning forward, with one
hand on her lovers shoulder; $500
You darling" and she kissed him
eagerly.
eyes, and there's more to follow.
They are certain it will be a success,
and they claim the refusal Of all my
other works. God bless you, Minnie.
But for you-you'ye got to share this
with mel"
He threw the gold and notes upon
the table, but the girl shranl1 back.
"No, no, Brandon, your brains
earned 1T; it is all yours. Yesl We
will share it, and all that is to come.
No refusal; you proposed it.
They were married within month.
but ga Fin-de Steele Fool was not a
success. Indeed, it was an utter fail
ure; and one paper remarked that
Messrs. Irvine u Irvine had better
close up if that was the best rubbish
they could secure.
How Minnie laughed at the great
unknown scribe who penued these
lines Like Brandon, no never knew
that Minnie Horton was the real pub
Usher of the volume that she paid
Brandon the $1,000, and that she pub
lished all his following illusions.
Brandon works merrily on; writes
four hours each day, and sells each
book as soon as 1T is flushed. Strange
to relate, many of his works are out Of
print. Though paid for, they haze
never been published. Occasionally he
determines TO trot arounl to Irvine's
and inquire what they mean by such
scandalous conduct; but when this fit
seizes him, Minnie always has some
thing for him to do, and no always
docs it.-Boston Traveller.