The suburban citizen., 1902-08-09
YHE loud knock of the postmau

n
followed, as something heavier than Il
letter fell into the letter box, struck
a knell of apprehension in Mary Dono-
vans heart.
Her first instinct was to rush into
the hall, and seize the long Official
looking envelope which she knew by
painful experience was lying there
The presence Of her mother and SIS
ters, however, acted as a deterrent. for
they were not in sympathy with her,
and If what she feared was a returned
story proved to be only circular, her
undue haste would have Immediately
caused them to put into words what
she would prefer to remain unex-
pressed.
Letters" cried Norah. "Patterns
ordered" declared Elsie. And they
hurried out of the room.
An amicable wrestle and then long
drawn exclamation of disgust, followed
by an ominous pause. the import OF
which Mary knew only too well, and
the packet was laid before her.
She left it untouched on the table
while, with trembling hands, she con-
tinued sewing some buttons on her
gloves.
Fer eyes were swimming with uA.
shed tears, and the lump in her throat
grew bigger and bigger.
The cheerful conversation of her
relations, which the advent of the post
man had interrupted, was not renewed,
The silence was more painful than
any comments could have been. and
perhaps Elsie, the youngest of the
girls, realized this in her easy, good
natured way. for, after humming few
bars Of the latest waltz, she began to
talk about the dance to which she and
Norah were going in the following
week.
But it was fiogginC q dead horse; the
subject had already been exhausted.
and the returned MSS. had suggested
thoughts of an unpleasant nature which
were not to be diverted.
Mrs. Donovan had been left widow.
with three daughters and modest in.
come.
The eldest and youngest of these
girls, Norah and Elsie, were fashioned
after her own heart, both rs regards
mental attainments, up-to.date accom-
plishments and social tastes.
But Mary was n thorn in the flesh,
the fly in the ointment, a very real dis
appointment.
For, whereas her sisters had imbiEed
the minimum OF instruction from their
school lessons, Mary had thirsted to
drink deeply from the well of knowl-
edge, and as they all grew older her
tastes differed from theirs in every
respect, and almost unconsciously she
dropped out of their lives, and led a
more or less solitary existence.
Certain duties were releeated TO each
one, for the household only boasted a
woman servant and a boy. Mary per-
formed her tasks faithfully, but while
her sisters danced and enjoyed the
pleasures which the late Major DonO-
vans friends seemed to find delight in
showering on his widow and her at.
tractive daughters, she dreamed away
the hours.
Such conduct was incomprehensiblc
to Mrs Donovan, who, naturally
enough, used to calculate what a num-
Der Of things Mary might have done
in the time wasted. and when she had
got the sum total clearly represented
In her mind. she would lay IT in its ap-
palling nakedness before Mary's shrink
ing gaze.
But the day came, MS 1t comes to all
who are afflicted with a temperament
like Mary's, when she thought she
would write"
Success lay before her mental vision
writ in huge letters; she would pour
forth into the ears OF a sympathetic
public what had hitherto remained un'
spoken in her own heart.
But "the thoughts of youth sre long,
long thoughts" and oftentimes a weari.
ness to those who have to listen to
them, and consderate editors guarti-d
their public from being bored with
those expressed by Mary Donovan.
She cast her bread on the editorial
waters, only to have it returned after
many days.
When she had propounded the idea of
her venture in all its newness TO her
people their attitude had been non.
committal.
Mrs. Donovan acknowledged that ii
might answer, but her dubious express
sion conveyed her disbelief in any
success, and she told Mary that any
expenses, such as typewrlting, postage.
etc, must be paid for out of her dress
money.
To their credit be It said. her family
was very long-suirering with her, and
at first the duties which she straight
way neglected were done by her sisters
without complaint; but as the months
went by, and the only results of her
hours Of labor were severe headaches,
and the sure and certain return Of all
the MSS. she sent out. their patience
began to diminish, and Mrs. Donovan
had almost come to the conclusion
fhAs a long pnOrOh frio1 hod baon yfvon