Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1896-08-28

had been counting on the money to
buy Jenny's summer dress. She was
rather cross when told her she must
wait Il while longer
MY dear little SOUL" said the young
man. You are Overworked. That Is tine
simple explanation of the whole mat
ter"
The kindness of his tone seemed to
altogether break down Mary's compos-
ure. for. after momentary struggle
for calmness, she dropped her head into
her hands and cried heartily.
John Redmond's face presented Gu
rious study. so 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.
II don't know whatever you will
think of me-" she said rather shame
facedly, as she wiped her eyes. 81 don't
know what made me do it. But am
so much obliged to you for letting rae
have 1t OUT am better now."
ITO be sure you do," said John, With
friendly and rather tender laugh. II
have always understood that a good
cry was great luxury to young Ia
dies" -
For PHYS sake don't call me a
young lady, cried Mary, with an as
sumption of her usually energetic man
ner. II do hate that phrase"
"Just as you please" returned John,
easily. "What shall call you? Novel;
list: Journalist?"
"Neither one nor the other" snid
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 los
ing even the small amount of capabil-
ity required for that"
"That is nonsense" exclaimed John.
now speaking earnestly. "As 1 said
before, You are overworked. You have
been doing too much. Your brain needs
rest. and it ought to have one, Mary"
well. it can't, just ut present." said
Mary. shaking her head very decided
ly. "rhere is Jenny's new dress and
the grocer's bill. l shall know no peace
until those two things are off my mind."
John was silent for minute, but he
looked troubled.
'If l could just get an idea" said
Mary, more hopefully, II think could
work it out. seem to have used up
everything! have written about lost
heirs and lost wills-abOut the heiress
who pretended to be poor and the ad-
venturess who pretended to be rich. 1
have told about the man who express
ed the utmost detestation of the new
woman and ended by falling matlly in
love with one. l have related the his
tory of the girl who determined to have
Il career and finally gave up all for
love. These things are all worn out,
John: They have become so feeble
that /! am ashamed to press the poor
things into further service"
John smiled.
"'rhey 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 Il while. may be glad
to fall back on them some day, but
just now should like something fresh.
All sorts of queer things are constant
ly happening in real life if could only
get to hear 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 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 look exactly as
If you had an idea.'
"Well," said John slowly, "a faint
glimmering did seem to come to me,
but am afraid you will think it silly"
"Do tell mel" exclaimed Mary. 81
shall be so grateful"
"And don't know that 1t is partic-
ularly 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 subject.
| SOmetlmeS very hackneycd theme
can be made to sound quite fresh.
have noticed it in several instances.
| Go on, John.''
She fixed her eyes on him expectant-
ly, and Il smile dawned in the young
woman's eyes as he looked at her.
'Is 1t 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 they regard it.
Things appeal so differently to differ
ent minds, don't they?"
"They do," rcjoined Mary promptly.
Sometimes have written things
which thought were funny, but other
people entirely failed to see the joke,
and on the other hand I have been
laughed at for sentences which were
penned with perfect seriousness. But
to proceed with the subject in hand. l
wish you would begin, John, for the
time is getting on. and shall be mis-.