Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1896-07-30
friend Of the family. aren't

hasn't she?'
Every often" answered the young
man again, with the same gravity.
swell, 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.
II can't think of anything" said
Mary, the tears Drumming up into her
eyes. Il 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. twas such blow,
for L 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
posture, for-after a momentary strug
gle for calmness-she dropped her
head into her hands and cried heartily.
John Redmond's face presented a
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 1 feel better now"
ITO he sure you do" said John, with
a friendly and rather tender laugh. II
have always understood that a good
cry was great luxury to young ladies'"
For PHYS sake, don't call me young
lady!'" cried Mary, with ian assumption
of her usually energetic manner. L
do hate that phrase"
"Just as you please" returned John,
easily. What shall call you? Novel
list? Journalistic"
Neither one nor the other" said
Mary, flushing little, shade of her
late dependency again falling upon her.
II 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,
m lii tIxy col
fore, you are overworked. You have
been doing too much Your brain needs
a rest, and it ought to have one, Mary"
"Well, It can't just at present." said
Mary, shaking her head very decidedly.
"There is Jennis's new dress, and the
grocer's bill. 1 shall know no peace
until those two things are off my mind"
John was silent for minute, but he
looked troubled.
"f I could just get on idea," said
Mary, more hopefully, 81 think could
work it out. l seem to have used up
everything! I have written about lost
heirs, and lost wills-about the heircss
who pretended to be poor, and the adj
ventures who pretended to be rich. I
have told about the man who expressed
the utmost detestation of the new
woman and ended by falling mad,y
In love with one. have related the his
tory of the girl VINO determined to have
a career and finally gave up all for love.
These things are worn out, John! They
have become so feeble that I 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.
"At least, for awhile. 1 may be glad to
fall back on them some day, but just
now 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
thing that has come within your own
experience? Anything that holds
tiny spice of romance, you know"
John looked at her for a moment,
and seemed inclined to speak. Then
his mind apparently altered, and he
shook his head
"Oh!" cried Mary, disappointedly,
that is too bad. You looked exactly as
if you had an idea"
WELL" said John, slowly, "a faint
glimmering did seem to come to me,
but I'm afraid you would think it
silly"
do tell mel" exclaimed Mary. 81
shall be so grateful"
'And l don't know that it 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-
Ponds on the treatment of the subject.
Sometimes very hackneyed theme can
be made to sound quite fresh. / have
noticed it in several instances. Go On,
John"
She fixed her eyes on him expectantly,
and smile dawned in the young mans
eyes as he looked at her.
SIS it humorous?" asked Mary inno-
Gently, as she saw the smile.
81 don't know" answered John, re.
lapsing into gravity. THAT entirely