The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1896-08-01
AN OLD, OLD STORY.

SIT is Of no use!" said Mary, desper-
ately. 81 can't think of a single thing
to say"
She sat and frowned gloomily, bit
ing the end Of her penholder. Now
and then she ran her hand distractedly
through her hair. This was a trick of
hers when thinking hard, and, as a rule,
the result was more startling than
pleasing.
at is of no use!" she said again;
but this time with a different infection.
81 mustn't sit here and give way to
l~aziness like this. If 1 don't write Il
tale, we can't pay the grocer's bill! l
must and will begin, only what on
Earth am l to say?"
Mary's brain was fertile enough, and
her busy fancy generally delighted in
spinning love stories and the like. In
the 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 tie
post the tone of the family altered.
anu AldIN udu lOI suIlS llIIC bCth IL
garded as a person of Importance.
Perhaps they overrated her powers,
for they had come 10 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 snd then felt a trif1e over
whelmed as she realized what was eX-
pected of her.
"Oh, Mary must write a tale" her
mother would say, easily, when an adj
'ditiOnal expense was suggested. 80
the fancy of the moment would be in
dulged in, and Mary would shut herself
up in the little Don she called her own,
from whence in due time she would
emerge tired, but triumphant.
On this particular morning, how
ever, she racked her brains in vain.
She tried her hardest to think OF some
slender framework upon which to hang
the usual mild lovemaking, but the
more she tried to WOO 1.-THE muse" the,
more obstinately did the said muse re-
fuse to respond to her advances.
Il feel exactly as ii a wet sponge had
been passed over my brain." She
thought, despairingly. There doesn't
seem a single idea left"
Just then a gentle rap came at the
door.
Come in" said Mary, impatiently.
She never liked being interrupted
when she was trying to work, and Just
now she felt more than usually cross.
Her face relaxed j little, however,
when she saw her visitor.
"You, John! 1 thought it was Jen-
ME. I wondered whatever she wanted
now"
poor Jennie" said the newcomer,
laughing.
"Poor Mary, 1 think" rejoined Mary,
dolefully.
"Why, whatever is the matter:
asked John Redmond. taking a seat,
and evidently preparing to make hi1u-
self as comfortable as circumstances
permitted. He looked very strong and
capable as he smiled down upon Mary,
and the girl was conscious of a dis
tinet feeling of relief, though she hard
iy knew its source
"Well," said Mary, Il feel worried
and bothered. You know, John, how
much all our folks have got into the
way of looking to me for help in money
snatters?"
"Yes, 1 know" replied John, with n
rather curious infection.
~ like to do it," said Mary, quickly.
IL makes me very glad and happy to
DO it. ! should not say 9 word about
i to anybody but you. but you already
know these details. You are such sn