The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1896-09-03

disturbing this morning, as, looking
over the top of her case, she found
them regarding her with mixture of
reproach and displeasure, mingled
with something warmer, which caused
her to blush, much to her disgust. She
frowned severely at them.
The owner of the eyes came around
beside her and coolly helped himself
to type from her case to finish the
piece of work he had in hand.
so you are full-fedged literary
woman, Man." he said, quietly.
"Eh! what?" cried Nan, great
rush of color sweeping over her pretty
face. "How-how did you know"
she faltered
"Saw your story in the Trumpet last
night" said John, shortly.
Nan actually gasped. Then it was
| accepted! Really printed! Fame, for
tune, all sorts of rosy things seemed
within Mans grasp.
ITS the veriest trash. Man." said
John Harris, severely. I'm surprised
that you would stoop to write such
stuff
Mans pretty mouth hardened and
ner brown eyes flashed fire.
THANK YOU" she said, with cutting
sarcasm.
"You are quite welcome" replied
John Harris, politely.
In spite of its hardness, Mans mouth
quivered slightly. She turned to that
unfeeling person beside her and said,
with an odd little choke:
st is exceedingly kind of you, John
Harris, to say that. Oh, very kind, in
deed! Trash! How generous you are!
It-was-exceedingly kind of you to
say that you despised mel"
John opened his eyes in astonish-
ment; and no wonder, since he had
said nothing of the kind.
why, Nan"
But Nan would not listen, but went
on Indignantly:
"Why should I not write trash ?
Why should l not do anything short of
murder, and that sort of thing-to
earn money when need it so badly?"
Johns face relented little.
but, Nan, I'm afraid they won't
pay you"
John Harris!" cried Nan, with
whitening scorn, II wish you had some
sense"
$50 do l." said John, soberly. But
tie gray eyes were twinkling. My
own private opinion is that John Har-
ris was a very patient man.
The wrath suddenly died out of
Mans face. Her anger was always
short lived.
81 want to take Pet away to the
country" she said, chokingly. 1T is
breaking my heart to see her fading
every day"
Every vestige of sternness vanished
from the gray eyes regarding her.
eff you would only let me help you,
Man." said John, wistfully.
But 1 won't" replied Nan, prompt
ly.
NO" said John, ruefully, you
never will take any aid from me-
"Why should To- asked Nan. calm
ly; you have no right to offer me aid,
nor I to receive it,"
''Is that my fault, Nam" asked
John, reproachfully.
The demon of mischief entered Nan.
UNI" she said, thoughtfully, dig
cling absently with her rule into the
front of her case, and defacing it
shamefully. She evidently did not in
tend to commit herself.
81 am awfully fond of you, Man."
said that ridiculous John Harris.
$50 l have heard you remark" re-
piled Nan, demurely. Then she
| laughed the naughtest. sweetest, most
tantalizing little laugh imaginable.
Any man ought to have been charmed
with it. But John Harris received it
with the worst possible grace, long
suffering individual though he was.
He squared his handsome shoulders
and regarded her with eyes dark with
wrath; gradually they softened, how
ever, and he said, ruefully:
81 don't know whether you realize
| how tantalizing-how really cruel YOU
are, Nan. Sometimes l think YOU do 1t
on purpose"
| Mans face was study, as she
climbed down from her stool.
81 guess it's time to go home to din
ner," she announced, calmly, and she
walked off with dignity, leaving John
Harris standing alone and looking
after her retreating figure in mingled
amazement and wrath
Poor john" sighed Nan on her way
home. Zone could almost like him if
he were situated differently. If he were
an editor or author, or even a reporter
| That brought back her own good for
tune, her own bright laurels. John
| Harris, indeed! 1T might do well
enough at present" said Nan, musing-
ly. con, very WELL" Mans eyes said,)
but what would it be in five or six years
from the present? And it always gets
to be five or six years from the pres
emit" This being an indisputable fact,
Nan did not stop to argue it.
Five or six years hence, and my
sphere reduced to four or five humble
rooms, ceaseless days of toll in hot,
stuffy kitchen, two or three cross, fret
full babies, like as MOI. Nan colored
rosily--"and no end Of saving and darn
ing and stitching-no, thank you, Mr..
| 1obn Harriet"