Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1897-09-09

fully sorry won't yelu forgive me 2
'Doa't mind about it, she said
huskily Il know very we'll what |
must have seemed like To you--an
impudent. brazen little wretch. Il
am horribly nervous by nature, and
put all that side on just TO cover
mp the fright, aud impress people
with the idea that intend to get
any information want. no matter
how reticent they try TO be. Often
they tell me more than they intend
ed--as Won did just now-merely to
/ get rid Ct me because they think |
am writing do1n - whole lot that
they don't want said about them.
| should stand bad chance IL they
only knew that ! am quite as anx-
ious to get away fron them as they
are to get away from me.
If this interview ID any object to
you,' he said. in an awkward,
shame.face way, Il will tell YOU ell
you want to know. am not quite
such churl as | pretended to be.
Only-Well, | am proud as we'll
as poor, and suppose there is no
need to make the details of my
poverty public:' He glanced first
at the meagre furnishing of the
room, and then at his thread bare
clothes.
ooh ! it was actuall; a little cry
of pain. do you think so badly
of me as that still? | will go now.
| wish | had not come
She turned very white as she rose.
and caught at her chair to steady
herself.
For heavens sake, don't faint -
cried Jeremy desperately. lie made
a stride toward her, and without a
word Of apology he caught her by
the arm and pushed her back in he
chair. what is the matter with
you.
Il couldn't help it,, she said. If
had gone on walking should
have been all right, but the short
rest finished me. am very tired,
and'-she gave little gasp and
her eyelids fiuttered.
Jeremy dived into a wall cup
board and came forth with brandy
bottle. There was very little In it,
but enough for the purpose. lie
stood over her in a threatening at
titude until she consented to drink
q teaspoonful. He tried to insist
on a second.
Il cannot, really she said. Il
dare not. 1t would go to my head
at once, because-because-'
Jeremy Grigson knelt down be-
side her and took her hand.
1T is because you have had no
luncheon p he asked.
Yes she said her color began
to return. do you know how it
feels?
lie nodded with sympathetic
gravity.
Been there doSens of times,' he
said and he did not let 60 her
hand, neither did she withdraw it.
Possibly you have walked the whole
way from The Chatterer's Office TO
this house
j had no choice. This repre-
sents my whole fortune until such
time as am paid for the inter
view
She pulled three balf-pence out
Of her pocket and showed it To him
lying on the worn palm of her little
gray glove
Quite involuntarily be lifted to
his lips the hand he was holding.
Then she drew it away and tried
to return to her former manner.
Just tell me ~hrre you we're
born, she said, and how the cen.
tral idea of your book first occurred
to you, and will co.
You will do nothing of the kind
said Jeremy firmly. lam just GO
ing to have my tea-'high tea
am homely sort Of fellow. will
! not tell you another word unless
you stay and take tea with me-
Bot have to wIite up the in
terview now at once. 1t must be
put into type tonight.
Very well. You can do it here
while our outlets are being cooked.
You will find plenty Of paper, pens
and ink on my writing table, such
as it is. Here are few notes for
you.' He filed half sheet Of pa.
per quickly in clear small hand.
, Now | shall leave YOU for an hour