Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1896-08-28
AN OLD STORY.

IL. ~ can't think of IL single thing to
say"
She sat and frowned gloomily. biting
the end of her penholder. Now and
then she ran her hand distractetlly
through her hair. This was trick of
hers when thinking hard. and. as Il rule,
the result WAS more startling than
pleasing.
''lt is of no use" she said again, but
this time with different infection. II
mustn't sit here and give way to laZi-
ness like this. If l don't write a tale we
can't pay the groccrs bill! / must and
will begin, only-what on earth am l
to say:''
Maly's bi:lin 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 Mt by her mother
and sisters. but when welcome little
cheeks began to come in return for
bulky envelopes sent through the post
the tone of the family altered and Mary
had for some time been regarded as a
person of Importance.
Perhaps they overratcd her powers.
for they had come to the conclusion
THAT Mary could do almost anything.
Mary's head was looked upon as IL bank
upon which an unlimited amount of
modest demands could be drawn, and
the girl now and then felt tritle over
whelmcd as she realized what was ex-
pected of her.
"Oh, Mary must write tale!' her
mother would say easily. when an adj
ditiOnnl expense was suggested. So the
fancy of the moment would be INDUCED
In, and Mary would shut herself up in
the little room she called her own.
whence in due time she would emerge
tired but triumphant.
On this particular morning, however,
she racked her brains in vain. She tried
her hardest to think of some slender
framework upon which to hang the
usual mild l0ve-making, but the more
she tried to WOO 1.-THE muse" the more
obstinately did the said muse refuse to
respond to her advances.
II feel exactly as if wet sponge had
been passed over my brain.' she
thought, despairingly. "There doesn't
seem a single idea left"
Just then gentle rap came ut the
door.
"Come ill.," said Mary. impaticntly.
Shenevcrlikedto be interrupted when
she was trying to work. and Just now
she felt more than usually cross.
Her face relaxed little, however,
when she saw her visitor.
"You, John! thought it was jenny.
I wondered whatever she wanted
now"
Poor Jenny" said the newcomer.
laughing.
Poor Mary, 1 think" rejoined Mary.
dolefully.
"Why, whatever is the matter?" ask
ed John Redmond. taking a seat, and
evidently preparing to make himself
as comfortable as circumstances per-
mitted. He looked very strong and ca
pable as he smiled down upon Mary,
and the girl was conscious Of a distinct
feeling of relief, though she hardly
knew its source.
"Well." said Mary, II feel worried
anu potucleu. LOU hllOW, JOuu, uOW
much all our folks have got in the
way of looking to me for help in mon-
ey matters?"
"Yes, know" replied John, with q
rather curious infection.
Il like to do it, said Mary quickly.
at makes me very glad and happy to
do it. should not say IL word about it
to anybody but you, but you already
know these details. You are such an in.
innate friend of the family, aren't
you?"
"a very intimate friend of the fo11..
ily," echoed the young man gravely.
'And mother has often told you how
easy it was for me to earn a few
pounds, hasn't slle?"
VERY Often" answered the young
man again, with the same gravity.
"Well, John" said Mary, lifting pail
of very earnest eyes to his, her accents
full Of sorrow and dismay, II am some
times afraid I can't keep on doing It."
"What makes you think so?" asked
John gently.
/ GI ransf think NJ anv+hino" aaii