The Van Buren press., 1898-07-30
A STRANGE DECEPTION
BY ELIZA WALLACE DuRBIS.
THE editor of oxford's Monthly sat

THE editor of Oxford's Monthly sat
in his sanetum, every atom of his
body expressing editorial weariness-
the WEAKNESS that is beyond all others
and is approached only BY that OF
school maj am on Friday evening.
He had finished one task, and was
allowing himself the recreation Of realiz-
ing how tired he was before beginning
another. As his eyes wandered listless-
ly over his desk, they fell upon letter
tying there. With a sudden stir OF in
terest he picked it up.
$50 she is coming to New York, ne
unused 81 wonder what she is like.
Very likely plain and strong-featured.
What an incongruity If so much beauty
of mind should lie under an unattractiTe
exteriorl Yet what does it matter any
way? It's lucky for us we CHANGED to
bring her out; that last story Of hers
was extraordinary
Just then the Office boy entered.
Lady to see you-Miss Lansing" said
he. The editor sat up in his chair. all his
Hstiessness gone.
Bring her in" he said quickly, and
watched the door with intense interest.
In moment there entered a creature
whose beauty struck John Laurence
dumb. He stared at her in wonder as
abe came toward him. and not till she
hesitated in Embarrassment did he get
up and hold out his hand.
"How do you do, Miss Lansing?" he
said, awkwardly. you have taken me
by surprise
n did not intend to come so soon."
she replied, in voice that waited him
to the green meadows and ripping wa
tert of her stories, "but ! wished 10 see
about attending some art school"
you do your own illustrating?'
sYes."
"You are greatly blessed, Miss Ian
sing"
Miss Lansing knew very well that he
was thinking Of her physical charms as
well as her mental gifts, but she be-
trayed no embarrassment There was an
ins.ant's CLEAN of white teeth and
CLINT Of gold as she smiled slightly, then
her face became almost sad in its Sc
robustness.
There was little silence, then she
SAID timidly: II have brought you the
stosy of which / wrote you"
Re took it, saying: 81 will examine ii
as soon as possible. Shall give you the
check for your last story?"
"Not to-day. don't want il to-day"
L. boctilx
{ VERY well. Now sit down, and let
me show you some comments on your
work"
he brought lot of papers, and with
quiet enthusiasm called her attention
10 certain paragraphs; but she seemed
very Indifferent. and soon rose to go.
&c went out with her.
"Have you friends IA the city," he
asked when they reached the hail.
mo, know of no one. ! have room
on Thirty-second street, near the I'm
peIial hotel"
When he found she intended to walk
he seized the opportunity of accom-
panying her, and from his leisurely man
ner you would not have guessed that
every idle moment was increasing the
already crushing pressure of work to
each square inch on his brain.
BY the time they had reached her
place he had committed himself to the
pleasure of showing her the city.
But when she had disappeared he
took cab and hurried back to
the Office, where visions of raw
ishlng combination of dark blue
eyes, long, black lashes, soft wavy,
gold-brown hair, and a fascinating
mouth fitted in and out with the sun
light as it flashed back and forth over
the spot where she had stood.
John Laurence had lived his 80 years
in the realm of sentiment; but had
never been inside the garden of Eden.
He had gone past and around ii, and
knew ii was there, without any de-
sire to enter, or even any curiosity as
TO what was within; but now that fate
had given him ticket and passed him
inside, he did not stand long at the
portal.
Miss Lansing had said she would not
stay longer than week, but six passed,
and she was still in the city. OF all those
millions of people she knew only two
Laurence and his sister. The thought
pleased Laurence. He gloated over it
with selfish delight. lie was thinking of
1t one morning while finishing some
work, preparatory to taking his sister
and Miss Lansing out for the afternoon,
when the boy ushered in Miss Lansing
herself.
lie sprang up in surprise and pleasure,
but the gladness of his face gave way to
copcern when be saw that she was ex.
cited and troubled.
"Alr Laurence" she began quickly,
"can you give me a check for those
stories now? nave just received a tele-
gram. | must GO"
He gave an exclamation Of dismay.
"Oh. yes, l can give you the money,
but"
He went TO his desk. and in mo-
ment returned and held out a slip Of
paper.
Two hundred dollars!" she ex-
claimed.
he paid Ia heed. -