The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1896-08-28
T. RISING SUM- FRIDAY AUGUST 2S, 1884,

"Well, John,'' said Mary, lifting n
pair of very earnest eyes to his, her
accents full of sorrow and dismay, 81
am sometimes afraid can't keep on
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 an hour, and not a single idea
has come to me. And-I didn't dare to
tell mother and the girls!-my last
story was rejected. Itwas such blow,
| for had been counting on the money
to buy Jennie's summer dress. She
was rather cross when told her she
must wait awhile longer"
"My dear little soul!" said the young
man, you are overworked. That Is
the simple explanation Of the whole
matter"
The kindness Of his tone seemed to
altogether break down Mary's com
posure, for-after a momentary strug
gle for calmness-she dropped her
head into her hands and cried heartily.
John Redmond's face presented n
curious study, so many were the emo
tions that passed rapidly over it. He
made an involuntary movement toward
the little weeping figure, but the next
moment checked himself, and waited
quietly until Mary herself spoke.
II don't know whether you will think
of mel" she said, rather shamefacedly,
as she wiped her eyes. II don't know
what made me do it. But I'm SO much
obliged to you for letting me have it
out I feel better now."
ITO be sure you do" seid John, with
a friendly and rather tender laugh. Il
have always understood that good
cry was great luxury to young ladies" !"
"For PHYS sake, don't call me young
lady!'" cried Mary, with I'm assumption
of her usually energetic manner. Il
do hate that phrase"
"Just as you please" returned John,
easily. "What shall 1 call you? Novel
list? Journalist"
''Neither one nor the other" said
Mary, flushing little, a shade of her
late despondency again falling upon her.
81 am nothing in the world but writer
of penny love stories, and losing even
the small amount Of capability required
for that"
"That is nonsense" exclaimed John,
now speaking earnestly. GAS said be-
fore, you are overworked. You have
been doing too much, Your brain needs
rest, and it ought to have one, Mar! ;"
"Well, it can't just at present" said
Mary, shaking her head very decidedly.
'sThere is Jennie's new dress, and the
groeer's bill. 1 shall know no peace
until those two things are off my mind
John was silent for minute, but he
looked troubled.
"If I could just get on idea," said
Mary, more hopefully, II think l could
work it out. l seem to have used up
everything! I 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. l
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 his
tory of the girl who determined to have
career and finally gave up all for love.
These things are worn out, John! They
have become so feeble that am
ashamed to press the poor things into
further SERVICE"
John smiled.
'They are far from dying, Mary!
Tsey are full of vitality yet"
"Well, somebody else may have
them," said Mary, returning the smile.
"At least, for awhile. I may be glad tc
fall back on them some day, but just
now 1 should like something fresh. All
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? Or some little
thing that has come within your own
experience? Anything that holds a
tiny spice of romance, you know"
John looked at her for a moment,
nnd seemed inclined to speak. Then
his mind apparently altered, and he
shook his head.
"Oh!" cried Mary, disappointedly,
shat is too bad, You looked exactly as
| II you had an Iuea.
"Well," said John, slowly, "a faint
glimmering did seem to come to me,
but Pm afraid you would think 1t
silly"
"Do tell mel" exclaimed Mary. ~
shall be so grateful"
sand don't know that 1t Is particu-
larly new," went on John, in the same
doubtful way.
"Well, never mind" said Mary, in a
businesslike way. "a great deal de-
pends on the treatment of the subject
Sometimes very hackneyed theme can
be made to sound quite fresh. have
noticed 1t in several instances. Go on,
John"
She fixed her eyes on him expectantly,
and O. smile dawned in the young mans
eyes as he looked at her.
"Is it humorous?" asked Mary inno-
Gently, as she saw the smile.
81 don't know" answered John, re-
lapsing into gravity. 'That entirely
depends upon how you regard it.
Things appeal so differently to different
minds, don't theye"
"They do" rejoined Mary promptly.
Sometimes I have written things
which I thought were funny, but other
people entirely failed to see the joke;
and on the other hand, / have been
laughed at for sentences which were
penned in perfect seriousness. But let
us proceed with the subject in hand,
wish YOU would begin, John, for the