The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1896-09-26

spoke.
81 don't know whatever You will
think of me |" che said, rather shame
facedly. as she wiped her eyes. 81
don't know what made me do it! But
I'm SO much obliged to you for let
ting me have it out / feel better
now"
"To be sure You do" said John,
with friendly and rather tender laugh.
81 have always understood that
good cry was great luxury to young
ladies'"
"For PHYS sake, don't call me a
young lady =" cried Mary with an
assumption of her usually energetic
manner. 81 do hate that phrase"
"Just as you please" returned John
easily. "What shall I call you? Nov
elist? Journalism
"Neither one nor the other" said
Mary, flushing little, shade of her
late dependency again falling upon
her. 'I am nothing in the world but
o writer of penny love stories, and
losing even the small amount OF capa-
bility required for that.
"rhat 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 it ought to
have one, Mary"
"Well, it can't Just at present, said
Mary, shaking her head very decided.
ly. "There is Jennie's new dress, and
the erocer's bill. / shall know no
peace until those two things are of my
mind"
John was silent for moment, but
he looked troubled.
eff could just get an idea" said
Mary, more hopefully, 81 think l
could work it out. / seem to have
used up everythingl have written
about lost heirs, and lost wills-about
the heiress who pretended to be poor,
and the adventures who pretended to
be rich. / have told about the man
who expressed the utmost detestation
of "the new woman" and ended by
falling madly in love with one. have
related the history OF the girl who de-
termined to have career and finally
gave up all for love. These things
are oil worn out, Johnl They have
become so feeble that / 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. cat least, for while; l may
be glad to fall back on them some day
but just now should like something
fresh. Ali sorts of queer things are
constantly happening in real life, If
could only get to hear of them. John
haven't you an idea of any kind? d
some little thing that has come within
your own experience? Anything tina
holds a tiny spice of romance, yo'
know"
John looked OF her for a moment
and seemed inclined to speak. Their
his mind apparently faltered, and h
shook his head.
"Oh!" cried Mary, disappointedly
"that Is too bad. You looked exactl.
as if you had an idea.
SWELL" said John, slowly, ga fain
glimmering did seem to come to me
! but I'm afraid you would think
silly"
"Do tell me" exclaimed Mary. g.
shall be so grateful"
"And ! don't know that it is pal
ticularly new" went on John in th
same doubtful way.
"well, never mind" said Mary, j
q business-like way. "a great dea
, depends on the treatment Of the sub
iect. Sometimes a very hackneye
| theme can be made to sound quit
fresh. 1 have noticed it in several ir
> stances. Go on, John"
She fixed her eyes on him expec
J antly, and q smile dawned in tn
Young mans eyes as he looked at bel
! ssIs it humorous?" asked Mary II
nocently, as she saw the smile.
81 don't know" answered John, r.
lapsing into gravity. ''That entirel
depends upon how you regard j
Things appeal so differently to di
: ferent minds, don't they?"
"They do, "rejoined Mary promptly
Sometimes have written thing
which I thought were funny. but otht
people entirely failed to sec the joke
= and, on the other hand. have bee
: laughed at for sentences which wei
= penned in perfect seriousness. BIZ
= let us proceed with the subject
= hand. / wish you would begin. Johi
for the time is getting on, and l sha
be miserable unless I succeed III NAL
ing good start this morning"
sThere's lot in making goo
start. isn't there?" asked John, wit
evident anxiety.
"Oh! a great deal, said Mary. :"
is often the most difficult thing pc
. sible to start. Once fairly begun I'll
: work is comparatively easy, becau'
T one thing seems to lead to another
: 81 see!" replied John redectivel..
Then a long silence fell between then
! 800 go onl" said Mary inpatient
at last.
4 sWell, the fact is, Mary, l"-wi
r considerable emphasis on the pr
o noun-"ind q difficulty in startinl
q think could 60 on, If the suble
Z were only begun.