The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1899-05-11

"Oh, how dared she2" Mary burst
out. Mr.. Stacey looked at her with
vague sense of amusement ~ assure
you, Miss-well, never mind her name;
it 10 immaterial, but Miss Blank we
will call her-thought very small pota-
toes Of me. I can't write by hand.
I've got writer's cramp, and have al
ways terrible lot Of work in hand. If
I had gone on with Miss Blank, I
should have been as dead as doornail
by this time. She could not do my
work without ironing it out as she
went along, 20 that every vestige Of
style and individuality was eliminated
completely"
Mary gave little gasp "But I
thought she took down what you die
tated," she said almost breathlessly.
eyes, but IL she saw what she thought
was an error she was always kind
enough to mend 1t for me-" said Alan
Stacey, smiling at the remembrance.
"She knew just little too much for
me. She must have been overeducated
or something. My last helper had, on
the contrary, no ideas. He had note
book and sharp pointed lead pencil.
When I was in form, he was excellent.
When had to get certain amount OF
copy turned out by certain time and
hadn't go much as the ghost Of an idea
in my head, he used to sit on the edge
Of chair waiting till did get an idea.
If he would have read the newspaper,
gone to sleep, walked about the garden
If he would have yawned even, should
not have minded, but he never did. He
said once it was all in the days work
whether he worked or waited. So, when
/ couldn' work, he waited. Ihad to get
rid of him. I found him an excellent
billet and swore I would never have an
other helper Of any kind. Then my hand
came In and said No; I'm hanged If
you shall use me. I'm delicate So
sent to Bloomingby's. So now, Mrs. Co.'S
way, You see what kind Of man l am
to deal witf-nervous, irritable, almost
eccentric. -
II am not afraid" said Mary, emil
ing. This man was wholly delightful
to her, surrounded by halo Of ro-
nance, still young, strong, unconven-
tional and wholly human.
"Have you seen any Of my work."
he asked.
~ have read the Lovers Creed
dozen times at least" she answered.
"Ah! Then you will to certain ex-
tent understand me. ! should need you
from 10 to s each day. Well, not on
Saturday afternoons. That goes without
saying"
81 am ready" said Mary. '-'
"You would lunch hereby the bye,
where do you liver
SIN Bloomsbury"
"That's far cry"
II should seek for rooms in this
neighborhood, she said quickly. II
am not welded to my present quarters
"Still better. You are married, Mrs.
Cosway?"
my name is Conway" she said
gently. II am widow"
"Oh, forgive me! One likes to know
everything. Have you children
''None-nor single relative in all
the world"
"Poor little SOUL" The words slipped
out unconsciously, as if he were think
ing aloud. "Then about terms.
II will take what you are accustom-
ed to pay, "ssaid Mary.
II have, let us say, . guineas
week, he returned hurriedly.
"But won't You try me first2' said
Mary, rather taken aback by this I'M
ceremonious way of arranging the mat
ter.
"No, no. Your speed is 1870, and
you look as if you would just suit me.
"But my references" she exclaimed.
"Mrs. Conway" said the novelist,
turning and looking directly and fixed