The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1896-07-30

~,,4ruteiy. ~ cant think OF hingle
thin. To say. >,
Sh,. sat ,.nd fruwned glUomily. BIT
Ing the end OF her pen~holder. NOW
and then she ran her hand dlstractedly y
through her hair. This was q trick
of hers when thinking hard, and, as q
rulc, the result was more startling
than pleasing
at IL Of no use" she said again but
lbjs time with a dlleront infection.
~ mustn't sit here and give way to
luziness like this. II don't write Il
tale, we can't pay tho grocer's bill
| must and will begin, only--what on
earth AIN 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 como In return
for bulky envelopes sent through the
post, the tone of the family altered
and Mary bad for some time been re-
rarded rs a person OF Importance.
Perhaps they ovorrated her powers,
for they had como to the conclusion
that Mary could do almost anything.
Mary's head was looked upon rs q
bank upon which IN unlimited amount
OF modest demand could be drawn, and
the girl now and then felt u trile over
whelmcd rs she realized what was ex-
pcctcd OF her
"Oh. Mary must write u talc," her
mother would say easily, when an ad-
ditional expense was suggested. so
the fancy of the moment would be In
lulged 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
ryor, she racked her brains in vain.
She tried her hardest to think Of some
slender frame work upon which to
hang the usual mild lovemaking, but
the more she tried to WOO the muse,
the more ObsJinutely did the said muse
refuse to respond to her advances.
81 feel exactly a. II u wet sponge
had been passed over my BRAIN" she
thought despairingly. "There doesn't
seem single idea left"
Just then a gentle rap came at the
door.
Come in," said Mary, ilnpatiently.
She never liked being Interrupted
whom she was trying to work, and just
now she .elt more than usually cross.
Etor face relaxed little, however,
when she saw her visitor.
You, John | thought it was
Jennic. wondered what ever she
wanted now"
Poor Jennic," said the newcomer,
laughing.
"Poor Mary, | Think" rejoined
Mary. dolefully.
"Why, what over is the matter -
asked John Redmond taking seat
and evidently preparing to make him
self as comfortable us circumstances
permitted. He looked very strong and
capable na he smiled down upon Mary
and the girl WAS CONSCIOUS OF "A distinct
feeling uf relief though she hardly
knew iLh source.
"Well," said Mary, :" feel worrle,
hnd: bothered. You know, John, how
n.icl all our folks have got into the
way Of looking To ne for help IN money
ihatLcrA ,"
le", know" replied John, with
rather curious infection.
like to do it, said Mary, quickly
IL makes me very glad and happy t.
DO it. should not say word about
IT to anybody but you, but you already
know these. 1ctails. You are such an
Intimate friend OF the family, aren't
you :"
"a very intimate friend of the
family" echoed the young man,
gravcly.
And mother has often told you how
easy it was for me to earn few pounds,
hasn't she ."
"Very often" answered the young
man again, with the same gravity.
Well, john" said Mary, lifting a
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 so?" 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 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
blow, for had been counting on tie
money to buy Jennie's summer dress
She was rather cross when I told hcl
she must wait little longer"
"My dear little soul I" said the
young man, 'yOu are Ovcrworkcd
That is the simple explanation of the
whole matter"
The Kindness Of his tone seemed tC
altogether break down Mary's com
posurc, for--aftcr q momentary strug
gle for cnlmness she dropped her heat
into he" hands and cried heartily
John RedmOnd's face presented g..
curious study, 80 many were the emo
tions that passed rapidly over it. lie
made IN involuntary movement tOwart
the little weeping figure, but the mex
moment checked himself, and waite,
quietly until Mary herself spoke.
:" don't know whatever you vii
think OF me ~ sho said, rather shame
facedly, AZ she wiped her eyes. ''
don't know what made me do II ! l}u
Pm so much obliged TO You for letting
mo have it out feel better now"
ITO be sure you do,' said John
with friendly and rather tcndc
laugh. 81 have always understood
that Il good cry was u great luxury Il
young ladies'"
For PHYS sake, don't call me
young lady ~ cried Mary, with an as
sumption OF her usually energetic man
nor. " do hate that phrase"
Just as you please" returned Johr
easily. d" What shall | call you :
Novelist? JOurnaliat?"
" Neither one nor the other" sniC
Mary, flushing II little, u shade OF hcl
lntc dependency again falling ujOf