The Penn's Grove record., 1896-08-21
AN OLD STORY.

ut Is of no use!' said Mary desperate
iy. II can't think Of a single thing to
say"
She sat and frowned glOomily, biting
the end of her penholder. Now and
then she ran her hand distractediy
through her hair. This was a trick OF
hers when thinking hard, and, as IA rule,
the result Was more startling than
pleasing.
at is of no use" she said again, but
this time with a different infection. Il
mustn't sit here and give way to lazi-
ness like this, III don't write a tale We
can't pay the grocer's bill. l must and
will begin, oniy-what on earth am l
20 say?'
Mary's brain WAS fertile enough, and
her busy fancy generally delighted in
spinning love stories and the Ike. In
tie early days Of her scFibbl!ug she had
been greatly laughed at by her mother
and sisters, but when welcome little
checks began 10 come in return for
bulky envelopes sent through the post
tbs tone Of the family altered and Mary
had FOR some time been regarded as a
person Of importance.
Perhaps they overrated her powers,
for they had come TO the conclusion
tha: Mary could DO almost anything,
Msry's head was looked upon as a bank
upon which an unlimited amount Of
modest demands could be drawn, and
the gil now and then felt a tribe over
whe!med as she realized what vas ex-
pected Of her.
oh, Mary must write a tale"' he's
mother would say easily, when an ad-
ditlonal 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 love-making, but the more
she tried to woo the muse" the more
~obstinntely did the said muse refuse to
respond 10 her advances.
Il feel exactly as II a wet sponge had
been passed over my brain" she
thought, despairingly. "There doesn't
seem a single idea left"
Just then a gentle rap came at the
door,
Come in" said Mary, impatiantly.
She neverlikedt to be Interrupted when
she was trying to work, and just now
che felt more than usually cross.
Her face relaxed a little, however.
when she saw her visitor.
you, John! l thought 1t was Jenny.
I wondered whatever she wanted
now"
Poor Jenny" said the newcomer,
laughing.
poor Mary, l think" rejolned Mary.
blefully.
why, whatever is the natter" ask
d John Redmond, taking q 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.
We'll" said Mary, 81 feel worried
and bothered. You know, John, how
much all our folks have got in the
way of looking to me for help in mon
Py matters"
"Yes, l know" replied John, with a
rather curious infection.
II like to do it," said Mary quickly.
1T makes me very glad and happy to
do 1t. | should not say a word about 1t
TO anybody but you, but you already
know these details. You are such an in
innate friend Of the family, aren't
your"
"a very intimate friend of the fam.
Ny" echoed the young man gravely.
And mother has often told you how
Asy it was for me to earn a few
bounds, 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, II am some
times afraid | can't keep on doing it,"
What makes you think so?" asked
John gently.
Il can't think Of anything" said
Mary the tears brimming up into nel
eyes. II have sat here this morning fol
nearly an hour, and not a single idea
has come to me. And-I didn't dare to
tell mother and the glrls-my last story
was rejected. 1t was such a blow, for
/ had been counting on the money to
buy JeEny's summer dress. She was
rather cross when l told her she must
wait a while longer"
MY dear little SOUL said the young
man, You are orerworked That Is rue
simple explanation of the whole mat
ter"
The kindness OF his tone seemed tG
altogether break down Mary's cempos
ure, for, after a momentary struggle
for calmness, she dropped her head into
her hands and cried heartily.
John RedmOnd's face presented a Gu.
rlous study, 50 many were the emotions
that passed rapidly over IT, He made
an involuntary movement toward the
little weeping figure, but the next mo-
ment checked himself and waited
quietly until Mary herself spoke.
Il don't know whatever you will
think of me-" she said rather shame,
facediy, as she wiped her eyes. Il don't
know what made me do ii, But / an
SO much obliged to you for letting me-
have it out am better now"
"ps be sure you DO" said John. with