Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1901-10-23
By BARRY PAIN.


the table.
Don't take that" said Margaret, the
owner OF the stylograph. There are
pen and INK
"Whats the matter with the style?
A. there no ink in itT
Eyes; it's not that"
"Has 1t gone wrong? Won't 1t
writer
at writes all right, but
"very we'll" said Miranda; ''then 1t
will do for me-"
She picked up the stylograph and
was about to give it the preliminary
Jerk which every stylograph expects
before 1t will start work. Margaret
caught her hand. Don't do that!
Jane doesn't like 1t. She starts at once
without that"
what? You call your stylograph
JaneT'
"All autographs have a personality"
1--WE got a stylograph too. / think
Ill call mine Neddy. or some other dom
keys name, because he won't go. He
never has gone. I've never been able
to write one word with him. But then
he was cheap"
She began to write. Half way
through the mllliner's address she stop
ped to give a gasp of pure joy. II
never knew anything like this In my
life before| she exclaimed with en-
thusiasm. THE ink 4 steady, even
black, never too much ink and never
too little; no dipping. no scratching. no
stopping. This converts writing into
paradise" She finished the address.
.'Quick, my dear! Give me a sheet of
paper"
Margaret gave her the note paper
without enthusiasm, even with some
thing very like an air of reluctance.
Yet the smile of an undecided pride
was In her eyes: she was divided be-
tween legitimate satisfaction with
the eulogia that Jane had received and
IL fear that she might suffer in alien
hands. Don't press too hard" she
said warningly.
''PressY' cried Miranda, rapidly an.
swering a purely imaginary dinner in
vitation on the sheet of note paper.
at doesn't want pressing. 1t doesn't
want anything. You just put 1t in your
hand and the stylograph does the rest.
If only had this stylograph / should
be writing all day. 1t exactly suits my
style of writing too. l don't think
shall ever be able TO use an ordinary
pen again. Can this be carried safely
in your pocketT
quite" said Miranda. But don't
make me brag about Jane. l have
known so many people who had stylos
that seemed to be all right until they
began TO boast about them. No stylo-
graph can stand that"
"She's duck and a darling, but
would never praise her If owned her
Ut seems rather hard. doesn't it? My
Neddy is the very image OF Jane to
look at, and cost just the same too.
And yet Neddy's no use at all. Some
times a style will write for one person
and not for another. / suppose you
wouldn't care to take Neddy in ex-
change for Jane and see IL you could
do anything with him. OF course
should give you something else as well,
10 make it fair"
mo. do not think shall ever part
with Jane"
81 shouldn't mind buying her. just.
tell me how much, and IL can pos.
sibly"-
mot for worlds"
Margaret, don't think ever asked
you for anything before. / know how
generous you are, and l hate to take
advantage OF il. But II you were to
give me Jane there is nothing !
wouldn't do for you. After writing
with her one feels that one cannot live
without her."
yes" said Margaret. that's what
feel myself. I'd give you almost any
thing l have, but not Jane. You can't
think what difference she has made
In my life. At one time was always
In trouble about letter writing. Now
it's positive joy to write letters. No;
love you dearly, but l can't give you
Jane"
Miranda sighed and changed the
subject. While they chatted her hand
stole to her pocket. Yes, she had
brought Neddy with her. She always
carried him, trying him at intervals to
see II he had changed his mind. How
simple 1t would be to change Neddy for
Jane If only Margaret were not look
ing. Presently the chance came.
motor of curious construction passed
the window, and Margaret looked out
at it for a minute. When she looked
back into the room. Miranda was blush
ing slightly. Jane was in her pocket
and Neddy was on the table.
Extract from a subsequent letter
from Margaret to an intimate friend.
ST have seen very little of Miranda
lately, and / must own that 1 am a
good deal disappointed in her. She
has copied a dress of mine absolutely.
she was clever enough to ask for per-
mission. But that could have for
given. / cannot forgive her for having
afolen lane and left her own worthless