The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1896-09-03

"a" your story III tuc A1uARe' AoS0
night" said John, shortly.
Nan actually gasped. Then it was
accepted! Really printed! Fame, for
tune, all sorts of rosy things seemed
within Mans grasp.
Its the veriest trash, Man," said
John Harris, severely. I'm surprised
that you would stoop to write such
stuff"
Mans pretty mouth hardened and
ner brown eyes flashed fire.
''Thank you," she said, with cutting
sarcasm.
"You are quite welcome" replied
John Harris, politely.
In spite Of its hardness, Mans mouth
quivered slightly. She turned to that
unfeeling person beside her and said,
with an odd little choke:
1T is exceedingly kind of you, John
Harris, to say that. Oh, very kind, In
deed! Trash! How generous you are!
Twas exceedingly kind Of you to
say that you despised mel"
John opened his eyes in astonish-
ment; and no wonder, since he had
said nothing of the kind.
"Why, Nan"
But Nan would not listen, but went
on Indignantly:
"Why should I not write trash
Why should I not do anything short OF
murder, and that sort of thing-to
earn money when need it so badly?"
Johns face relented little.
"But, Nan, I'm afraid they won't
pay you"
John Harris!" cried Nan, with
whitening scorn, II wish you had some
sense"
$50 do l." said John, soberly. But
the gray eyes were twinkling. My
! own private opinion is that John Har-
ris was a very patient man.
| The wrath suddenly died out OF
Mans face. Her anger was always
short lived.
II want to take Pet away to the
country she said, chokingly. 1T is
breaking my heart to see her fading
every day"
Every vestige of sternness vanished
from the gray eyes regarding her.
IF you would only let me help you,
Man," said John, wistfully.
"But WON'T" replied Nan, prompt
ly.
"No," said John, ruefully, "you
never will take any aid from me-
"Why should II" asked Nan, calm
ly; you have no right to offer me aid,
nor to receive it,"
"Is that my fault, Nan?" asked
John, reproachfully.
The demon of mischief entered Nan.
"Um!" she said, thoughtfully, dig
ging absently with her rule into the
front of her case, and defacing it
| 'shamefully. She evidently did not in
tend to commit herself.
II am awfully fond of you, Nan"
said that ridiculous John Harris.
$50 have heard you remark re-
piled Nan, demurely. Then she
laughed the naughtiest, sweetest, most
tantalizing little laugh imaginable.
Any man ought to have been charmed
with it. But John Harris received it
with the worst possible grace, long
suffering individual though he was.
He squared his handsome shoulders
and regarded her with eyes dark with
wrath; gradually they softened, how
ever, and he said, ruefully:
II don't know whether you realize
how tantalizing-how really cruel you
are, Nan. Sometimes think you do it
on purpose"
Mans face was study, az she
climbed down from her stool.
II guess it's time to go home to din
ner," she announced, calmly, and she
| walked off with dignity, leaving John
Harris standing alone and looking
after her retreating figure in mingled
amazement and wrath.
''Poor john" sighed Nan on her way
home. Zone could almost like him if
he were situated differently. If he were
an editor or author, or even reporter"
That brought back her own good for
tune, her own bright laurels. John
Harris, indeed! TT might do well
enough at present." said Nan, musing-
ly. ooh, very WE'LL" Mans eyes said,)
"but what would it be in five or six years
from the present? And it always gets
to be five or six years from the pres
ent." This being an .indisputable fact,
Nan did not stop to argue it.
give or six years hence, and my
sphere reduced to four or five humble
rooms, ceaseless days of toll in a hot,
stuffy kitchen, two or three cross, fret
full babies, like as not,"-Nan colored
rosily-"and no end Of sewing and darn
ing and stitching-no, thank you, Mr..
John Harris!"
What an exaggerating young person
Nan was, for she knew quite well that
said John Harris had q modest little
home all paid for, and good salary
on which to support wife.
"Nan! Nan Barnes! Is that your"
Nan turned to find young lady of
near her own age running after her.
"Why, Alice! how do you do?'
''1'm-all-right!" painted Alice, ''but
I just want to shake you, Nancy Barnes.
Here you have just tormented Cousin
John until he has finally given over all
hope and has gone and got engaged to