The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1896-07-28

She sat aid frowned gloOmhy. Dit-
ing the end OF her p~en-holder. Now
and then she ran her hand dtstractediy
through her hair. This was u trick
of hers when thinking hard, and, as q
rule, the result was more startling
than pleasing.
SIT is OF no use!' she said again but
this time with q different infection.
81 mustn't sit here and give way to
laziness like this. III L don't write a
tale, we can't pay the gIrocer's bill
must and Will essgin' only-what on
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 the
post, the tone Of the family altered,
and Mary bad for some time been re-
garded as q 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 q
bank upon which an unlimited amount
of modest demand could be drawn, and
the girl now and then felt a trife over
wheimed as she realized what was OK
pected of her.
"Oh, Mary must write q tale" her
mother would say easily, when an ad-
dttional expense was suggested. So
the fancy of the moment would be in
dulged In, and Mary would shut her
self up in the little room 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
the more che tried to woo the muse"
the more obstinately did the said muse
refuse to respond to her advances.
81 feel exactly az If q wet sponge
had been passed over my brain," she
despairingly. There doesn't
sasham a single idea left"
Just then a gentle rap came at the
door.
"Come I'M" said Mary, impatiently.
She never liked being interrupted
when she was trying to work, and just
nowashe felt more h q usually cross.
Her face relaxed q little, however,
when she saw her visitor.
"You, John ] thought it was
nnie. 1 wondered what ever she
wanted now"
"Poor Jennie," said the newcomer,
laughing.
7Poor Mary, I think" rejoined
Mary, dolefully.
asked John Redmond, taking q seat,
and evidently preparing to make him
self as comfortable as circumstance
permitted. He looked very strong and
capable as he smiled down upon Mary,
and the girl was conscious OF Il distinct
feeling OF relief though she hardly
knew it's source.
"Well," said Mary, 81 feel worried
and bothered. You know, John, how
much all our folks have got into the
way o. looking to me for help in money
matters ?"
Eyes. ] know" replied John, with
a rather curious infection.
"Ilike to do it," said Mary, quickly,
at makes me very glad and happy to
do it.. l should not say q word about
it to anybody but you, but you already
know these details. You are suchNar
intimate friend of the family, aren't
ga very intimate friend of the
family" echoed Le young man
gravely.
"And mother has often told you how
easy it was for me to earn a few pounds
hasn't she
every %often," answered the young
man again, with the same gravity.
"Well, john" said Mary, lifting
pair of very earnest eyes to his, hel
accents full Of sorrow and dismay, 81
,..em sometimes afraid l can't keep or
doing it,"
"What makes you think SOP" asked
John, gently.
81 can't think of anything" said
Mary, the tears brimming up into her
eyes. 81 have sat here this morning
for nearly al hour, and o a single
idea has come to me-. And-I didn't
dare to tell mother and the girls my
last story was rejected. 1t was such q
money to buy Jennie's summer dress.
She was rather cross when / told her
she must wait q little longer"
my dear little soul !" said the
young mar "you are overworked,
That lie the simple explanation of the
whole matter"
The kindness Of his tone seemed to
altogether break down Mary's com
posture, for-after o mon'entary strug.
into her hands and cried heartily.
John RedmOnd's face presented q
curious study, 80 many were the ONO
tions that passed rapidly over 1t. He
madea an involuntary movement toward
the little weeping figure, but the next
momen checked himself, and waited
quietly until Mary herself spoke.
81 don't know whatever you will
think of me !" she said, rather shame
facedly, as she wiped her eyes. 81
don't know what made me do it! But
Pm so much obliged. to you for letting
me have it OUT 1 feel better now"
"To be sure you do" said John,
with a friendly and rather tender
laugh. 81 nave always understood
that q good cry was a great luxury TO
young ladies'"
"For PHYS sake, don't call me q
young ladyp' cried Mary, with an as.
sumption Of her usually energetic man.
ner. 81 do hate that phrase"
"Just a. you please, " returned John
easily. "What shall | call you Z
Novelist? Journalist ?"
"Neither one nor the other" said
Mary, flushing q little, q shade OF hel
late dependency again falling upor
her. 81 am nothing In the world bu,
writer OF penny love stories, and
bag rel the small amount OF capa'
Sty required for that"
"That Is nonsense" exclaimed John
now speaking earnestly. CAS- l said
p before, you are overworked. You have
been doing too much. Your brair
needs n rest, and it ought to have one
Mary"
Well, 1t can't just at present.