Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1896-08-26
AN OLD STORY.

ut is OF no user said Mary desperate
1y. Il can't think of a single thing 4
say
She sat and frowned gloOmily. bitiDi
rhe end of her penholder. Now ant
then she ran her hand diStra actedl!
through her hair This was q trick O
hers when thinking hard, and. as a rule
the result was more startling thar
pleasing.
1T Is of no use" she said again, bu
this time with a different infection. %
mustn't sit here and give way to lazi
ness like this. If don't write tale we
can't pay the grocer's bill! l must and
will begin, only-what on earth am
TO say
Mary's h-ain was fertile enough, and
her busy fancy generally delighted in
spinning love stories and the like. In
TIE early days of her scribbling she had
been greatly laughed at by her mother
and sisters, but when welcome little
checks began to come in return for
bulky envelopes sent through the post
the tone of the family altered and Mary
had for some time been regarded as a
person of Importance.
Perhaps they overrated her powers,
for they had come to the conclusion
that Mary could do almost anything.
Mary's head was looked upon as a bank
upon which an unlimited amount of
modest demands could be drawn, and
the girl now and then felt trifie over
whelmed as she realized what was ex-
pected of her.
"Oh. Mary must write a taler' her
mother would say easily, when an aJ-
ditional expense was suggested. So the
fancy of the moment would be INDUCED
In. and Mary would shut herself up in
the little room she called her own.
whence in due time she would emerge
tired but triumphant
On this particular morning, however,
She rackcd her brains in vain. She tried
her hardest to think of some slender
framework upon which to hang the
usual mild love making. but the more
she tried to WOO the muse" the more
resPond to her advances.
Il feel exactly as If a wet sponge had
been passed over my brain" she
thought, despsiringly. There doesn't
seem a single idea left"
Just then gentle rap came at the
door.
Come ill.," SAID Mary. impat,ently.
She neverli liked to be interrupted when
she was trying TO work, and just now
she felt more than usually Cross
Her face w.laxed a little, however.
when she saw her visitor.
You, John, | thought it was Jenny.
wondered whatever she wanted
now"
Poor Jenny" said the newcomer,
laughing
Poor Mary, | think" rejoined Mary,
bolefully.
Why. whatever is the matterr ask
d John Redmond. taking a scat, and
evidently preparing TO make himself
as comfortable as circumstances per-
mirted. He looked very strong and ca
pshle as he smiled down upon Mary,
and the girl was conscious of a distinct
feeling OF relief. though she hardly
knew its source.
Well" said Mary, Il feel worried
and bothered. You know, John. how
mnrh all our folks have got In the
way of looking 10 me for help in mon
ey matters;'
Yes. ! know" replied John, with q
FATHER curious infection.
Il Ike to DO IT," said Mary quickly.
1T makes me very glad and happy to
d" H.. / should not say a word about II
60 anybody hut you, but you already
know these details. You are such an in
timst- friend OF the family, aren't
YOU"
n very intimate friend OF the fam.
uy' echoed the young man gravely.
And mother has often told you how
,ssy IL was for me to earn a few
bounds hasn't she?"
Very often answered the young
IGHn sgsin. with the same gravity
Well John" said Mary. lifting a pair
OF very earnest eyes to his. her accents
full 81 SORROW and dismay. Il am some
times afraid l can't keep on doing IL"
WHAT makes you think soT" asked
John gently
Il can't think Of anything" said
Mary the tears brimming up into neI
eyes 81 have sat here this morning FOL
nearly an hour aud not n single idea
has come ,o me. And-I didn't dare 10
tell mother a"d the sirls-my last story
Na= r.irrtrI IL was such blow. for
hal i.au counting ON tine money &c
huy 4,.as's summer dress. She was
rltE.r .s.,s y---u / told her che must
We e. ".;." !aUgrr."
My dear llttl. soul. said the young
E.au. .'yru arr overworked. That is the
s.urlc sv..u5jion Of the whole mat
g..
I.r h.a!Is..' ~ his tone seemed e
IItug--Ur break down blary's ceHpcs-
urr rYr after momentary struggi.
To- r1imu',s she dropped her head into
her hands and cried heartily.
John Endmoud's face presented Gu
riuus study. s0 many were the emotions
TIN passed rapidly over H. He made
sH Involuntary movement toward the
h,ile weeping figure. but the next mo.
Weut checked himself and waited
qIH-Iir uuiil Mary herself spoke.
4 duu't know whatever you viii |
thigI ~ ne" she said rather shame |
q r-tiy. - she wiped her eyes. Il don't |
know what made me do II. hut an
- much obliged 10 you for hetting M
have it out am better now"
AZ b. sure Iou d.. said Joan. win