Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1903-08-22
WHEN A
MANS LAZY
lN>-~-> % o %-H-< 4
BY SNOWDEN KING


up the steps Il tall. bright faced young
woman. will. an alert air that stamped
her instantly as one of the worlds
workers.
A man at one of the smoker windows
threw out freshly lighted cigar and
made his way into the back coach. Il
wonder" lie muscd. why 1t is she al
ways knows just what to wear and
how to wear it-black skirt not too
long, blue shirt waist sailor hat?"
"Allow me-" Before she was aware
of his presence he had raised the win
dow she was tugging at.
"YOu?" she intprrOgated
"None other" he laughed. "And
what do you mean by stepping into my
car so uncercmoniously? | thought
you were in Boston, working as none
but you can work"
Mother and have been taking a
much needed vacation two miles out
of Providence with Aunt Ruth Armsly,
mothers sister. You don't know what
time we have had-fried chicken.
fresh milk and eggs, the finest scenery
and the dearest aunt in the world"
"Oh, but | do know" he interrupted,
"for | have been enjoying the same.
minus the aunt. n few miles down the
bay. I didn't feel like going the regu-
lar rounds this summer. SO | took my
vacation late and in my own way"
"YOur vacatiOnw And Bessie Stuart
laughed soft and low. "From what,
please? Confess you have never done
days work in your life"
"And you" he answered softly. "have
done too many of them"
"No," she said quickly. She was
afraid when this mans voice and eyes
took on their present tOnc-of herself,
perhaps, more than anything else.
Since | have taken up illustrating l
have to use the minutes as well as the
hours, SO Ms to keep up my rcportng.'
"Are you going to do reporting this
winter? 1t is such hard. grinding work
for a woman. BESSIE, hate to see YOU
do it. and with all my heart l wish
had the power to say YOU shall not"
She looked at him steadily. "Do you
know that sometimes you are almost
impudent? Yes, | must do reporting
this winter. 1t will be a year Mt least
before l can give it up for more con-
genial employment. Illustrating does
not pay quite well enough yet to take
care of the StuartS financially. | sup
pose your work will be the same" and
her lips curled Il little scornfully, "ci-
Gars, club dinners. the theater and the
usual round of social functions?'
He glanced through the window at
the falling leaves, a strange look on
his handsome face. Yes, Bessie; my
work will be the same, will always be
the same until life is put away"
"Oh, Jack" she exclaimed, you
We're made for something better than
an idle, useless life"'
He laughed and the spell was broken.
But Jack Hammond knew by the way
his heart thumped that it was danger
Ously sweet to hear Bessie Stuart say
Jack" in that soft, appealing way.
The friends of handsome Jack Ham
mOnd would, one and all, have told you
he was an idler, but his father was
one of the wealthiest men in Boston.
From n mansion in Beacon street to a
little three room house in one of the
busiest portions of the city is quite a
distance, both socially and financially,
but Jack had done away with it easily
in his acquaintance with Bessie Stuart.
They had met at ball year ago at
Mrs Ostrander's, Bcssie's aunt,
wealthy society woman, who, when
Mr.. Stuart died, opened her doors to
his widow and daughter.
Bessie had stoutly refused. mo,
though you are papa's sister. Mamma
and l will live alone, and you will see
that l shall take care of her beauti-
fully"
Mrs. Ostrander secretly admired the
proud independence of her favorite
niece and was always devising plans to
have her with her as often rs possible
There was silence between Jack and
Bessie for some time. He broke 1t by
saying:
"Are you going to be present at your
aunt's dinner Wednesday EVENING"
Yes; that is what l am going home
for now. Mamma will stay with Aunt
Ruth another week, but promised
Aunt Ostrander l would spend the last
days of my vacation with her. had
a letter from her yesterday in regard
to the dinner. She writes me l am to
wear an elegant gown and go down
with John Leigh, author. Don't you
think that is glory enough for one
young woman in one EVENING"
II should think So And you are to
meet your idol at last, are you? Bes-
sic, has it ever occurred to you that
perhaps you may be disappointed in
him?"
u shall like him." And the girls
voice had very positive note. Il have
read everything he has written for
four years, and since have been work
ing for the c. magazine | have Illus
trated several of his stories. | can
even tell you what he looks like. though
have never seen him. He is dark for
one thing and has strong thoughtful
Boston for?"
The quizzlcal smile deepened in Jacks
blue eyes. "Where does he live when
he is at homer"
Bessie's brows drew together In a
thoughtful frown. "Well. don't be-
lieve l ever really heard. Somehow
have always thought of him as living
in New York city"
Just then the train stopped at a small