The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1897-12-02
81 had no choice. Tnis represents

am paid for the interview"
She pulled three half pence out of
her pocket, and showed 1t to him lying
on the worn palm of her little gray
glove.
Quite involuntarily he 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 where you were born"
she said, "and how the c-ltral idea Of
your book first occurred to you, and
will CO."
you will do nothing of the kind"
said Jeremy, firmly. Il am just going
to have my tea-'high tea because
am homely sort of fellow. l will not
tell you another word unless you stay
and share 1t with me-"
But l have to write up the inter-
view now at once 1t must be put into
type tonight"
very we'll. 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 1t is.
Here are a few notes for YOU" He
filled half a sheet Of paper quickly, in
a small, clear hand. Now l shall
leave you for half an hour to your
work, If you will solemnly promise me
not to run off while l am away"
81 don't want to run off in the very
least" she said; and she looked away
from him to hide the tears in her
eyes. But he saw them all the same.
When he came back he was accom-
panied by waiter laden with mater
ial for a feast brought from the near
est restaurant, and he had letters in
his hand, because he had encountered
the evening postman on the doorstep.
She wanted to help him to spread
the tablecloth and arrange the food.
but he said it would make him i'll if
he did not wait on himself, because he
. was so used to doing 1t. So she read
her manuscript aloud to him instead,
and he criticised it as he stumbled
about with plates, knives and forks.
They took their meal together in
merry, picnic fashion. like children
who had known each other all their
lives, and when hunger was satisfied
they exchanged some further conf
dences. They were both alone in the
world, both dependent on their pens,
although in vastly different lines, and
they were both young, notwithstand-
ing the fact that Jeremy's hair had a
sprinkling of gray in it. Her Lam }
was Kitty, and he told her that had
been his mothers name. She was
very glad, although she scarcely knew
why.
Il have several literary irons in the
fire." he said, presently, "and those
letters look like business. May l open
them? Thanks. Then, If the news is
good, you will be the first to congratu-
late me: and if 1t is bad, it will be
some consolation to hear you say,
Poor dev'-I beg your pardon, l mean
'poor fellow have not spoken to a
lady for three years"
He opened the first letter. .
Good" he said. THE Tip-Top
Magazine accepts Mr.. Grigson's serial,
the first instalment of which will ap-
pear next month. That manuscript
has been lying at the Office Of the Tip
Top for six months, and have written
about three times without being able
to elicit reply"
Nothing succeeds like success"
said Kitty open the next"
He did so.
Still better!" he exclaimed. II ap-
piled for a post just vacant on the
staff of the Pulverizer. 1t means three
hundred a year for weekly column Of
criticism. The last man was a great
swell, and he gave 1t up because one of
his own books was smashed to atoms
by mistake in another part of the pa
per. Well, have got the post"
"Splendid!" she cried. Now the
last one"
BEST of ALL" he cried, as he glanc-
ed through it. Because it shows hu-
man nature in an agreeable light. My
publishers inclose a check for two
hundred pounds in consideration Of
the phenomenal success OF The Book
and they will be happy to allow me to
make my own terms for the next one.
Kitty. am waiting to be congratu.
lated"
He had called her by her Christian
name quite unconsciously.
She sprang to her feet, blushing furi-
ously, and began hunting for her
gloves
II can't say half mean about it,"
she stammered. won't you take for
granted how glad / am? / must go
now; the evenings are long, but they
don't last forever. want to thank you
and don't know how"
when may come to see your" he
asked, retaining her hand again.
"Oh, never | live in such a wretch
ed place, and you are among the great
ones Of the world now, you know"
"Of course" he said, coolly. 1T does
MT matter in the least whether you
give me your address or not, because l
am going to escort you home. and then
shall find it out for myself. Are you