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

young lady," cried Mary, with an as
sumption Of her usually energetic man
ner. IL do hate that phrase"
Just as you please" returned John
easily. What shah call you? Novel
ist! Journalism
Neither one nor the other" sait
Mary. flushing a little, q shade of hei
late dependency again falling upor
her. Il am nothing in the world bu
a writer of penny love stories, ana los
ing even the small amount Of capabil
ity required for that"
THAT Is nonsense" exclaimed John
now speaking earnestly. "As l said
before. you are overworked. You have
been doing too much. Your brain needs
rest. and 1t ought to have one. Mary
We'll. 1t can't. just at present." said
Mary. shaking her head very decided
ly. There Is Jenny's new dress and
the Erocer's bill. shall know NO peace
until those two things are of my mind =
John was silent for q minute, but he
looked troubled.
III l could just get an idea" said
Mary. more hopefully. II think could
work II out l seem to have used up
everythingl / have written about lost
heirs and lost wills-about the heiress
who pretended to be poor and the ad
ventures who pretended to be rich.
have told about the man who express
ed the utmost detestation of the new
woman and ended by falling madly in
love with one. l have related the his
tory Of the girl who determined to have
a career and finally gave up all for
love. These things are all worn out,
John! They have become SO feeble
that l am ashamed to press the poor
things into further service"
John smiled.
"They are far from dying. Mary
They are full Of vitality yet"
well, somebody else may have
them," said Mary. returning the smile
"At least, for a while may be glad
to fall back on them some day, but
just now l should like something fresh.
All sorts Of queer things are constant
ly happening In real lifsif I could only
get to hear them. John, haven't you
an Idea Of any kind? Or some little
thing that has come within your own
experience? Anything that holds q
tiny spice Of romance, you know"
John looked at her a moment anG
seemed inclined to speak. Then his
mind apparently altered and he shoot:
his head.
"Ohr' cried Mary disappointedly
l.. Lal
If you had an idea"
well" said John slowly, "a faint
did seem to come to me
but am afraid you will think it silly"
.'Do tell mel" exclaimed Mary. Il
shall be so grateful
And / don't know that it is partic.
ula:ly new" went on John in the same
doubtful way.
well, never mind" saidwMary. in
a bus!nesslike way. "A great deal de
pendS on the treatment of n subject /
very hackneyed theme
can be made to sound quite fresh. ]
have noticed it in several instances /
Go on, John"
She fixed her eyes on him expectant |
eyes as he looked at her.
is it humorous" asked Mary limo .
,ently, as she saw the smile.
Il don't know" answered John. re. /
apsing into gravity. That entirely .
depends upon how they regard it, ]
Things appeal SO differently TO differ /.
eHt minds. don't they
They do" rcjoined Mary promptly I
Sometimes | have written things +.
which thought were funny, bus other !
people entirely failed 10 see the joke /
and on the other hand | have been .
laughed at for sentences which We're |
penned with perfect seriousness But
10 proceed with the subject in hand II
wish you would begin, John, for the |
time is getting on, and l shall be mis- !
.rabte unless l succeed in making
good start this morning"
There is A lot in making a gooA |
start, isn't there?" asked John, with |
evident anxiety.
"Ohi a great deal" said Mary. "It
Is often the most difficult thing possible |
to start. Once fairly begun the work
thing seems TO lead to another
Il see" replied John, refectively !
Then a long silence fell between them !
DO go On"' said Mary, patiently, !
At last.
We'll. the fact is. Mary, with |
emphasis on the pronoun |
find a difficulty in starting. 1 think /
could go on il the subject were only |
begun"
Let me heIp vow or." s~'H Ma
with an air of resignation. "There 1.
A girl In it. l suppose"
''Oh, yes" returned John, very de
,idedly. There is a girl in 1t; and an
lncommOnly nice girl, too 4
Good graciousw. said Mary. "It is
Ill easy enough. Describe me her ap-
,earance character and surroundings.
Fell me what she did, and how she did
l. Then explain where the man comes
n-for there Is man In II, l suppose"
"Oh, yssT' said John. as decidedly as
'efore. There ia a man In It."
We'll. what about him ?" asked Mary.
Dear me- John, I might as we'll in
'ent a thing myself, and have done
With II, IL you can't tell me straight
t."
I'll tell your said John. with the
ir Of a man determined to make the
lunge. ly-Mary-promise me one
hing. Don't laugh at my story"
Cant l laugh If IL Is funny" re-
oined Mary.
1T isn't" said John. well, not ex-
city. Erin fact, | don't know how 1t
Vill strike you. meant. don't laugh
I my clumsy way of telling 1t"
"Of course not" replied Mary, kind. .
?. And I'm sure I'm very much OBJ /:
ged to you. John, for taking all this
roubie."