The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1903-10-09
WHEN A
MANS LAZY
BY SNOwDEN KING
Copyright, IsOs. bB T. C. Mcclure


her instantly as one Of the worlds
workers.
A man at one of the smoker windows
threw out a freshly lighted cigar and
made his way into the back coach. Il
wonder" he unused. "why it is she al
ways knows just what to wear and
how to wear it-black skirt, not too
long. blue shirt waist, sailor hatT'
ALLOW me-" Before she was aware
OF his presence he had raised the win
dow she was tugging at.
your" she interrogated.
"None other" he laughed. "And
what do you mean by stepping into my
car so unceremoniously? / thought
you were In Boston, working as none
but you can work"
Mother and I have been taking q
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 I'm the world"
''Oh. but l do know" he interrupted,
..for / have been enjoying the same.
minus the aunt. a few miles down the
bay, l didn't feel like going the regu-
lar rounds this summer. SO l took my
vacation late and in my own way"
'Your vacation And Bessie Stuart
laughed soft and low. From what,
please? Confess you have never done
a days work i'm 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 tone-of herself.
perhaps. more than anything else.
"Since I have taken up illustrating
have to use the minutes as well as the
hours. so as to keep up my reporting"
'.Are you going to do reporting this
winter? Ii is such hard. grinding work
for a woman. Bessie. I hate to see you
do II, and with all my heart I 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 n year at 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. I sup
pose your work will be the same" and
her lips curled a little scornfully, "ci-
gars. club dinners. the theater and the
usual round of social functions?"
He glanced through the window at
the falling leaves. 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
were made for something better than
an idle. useless lifer'
He laughed and the spell was broken.
But Jack Hammond knew by the way
his heart thumpcd that it was danger.
orsly 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 wa:
one OF the wealthiest men In Boston
From a mansion in Beacon street to &
little three room house in one of the
busiest portions OF the city is quite &
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 a
Mrs. Ostrander's, Bessie's aunt, /;
wealthy society woman, who, wheI
Mr.. Stuart died, opened her doors I,
his widow and daughter.
Bessie had stoutly refused ''No
Ia
though you are papa's sister. Mamm,
and l will live alone. and you will se
| that l shall take care of her beauti
fully"
Mrs. Ostrander secretly admired tn
| proud independence of her favorit
niece and was always devising plans I,
have her with her as often as possible
There was silence between Jack an
Bessie for some time. He broke 1t b.
saying:
Are you going to be present at you
aunt's dinner Wednesday EVENING"
Yes; that is what | am going hom
for now. Mamma will stay with Aun
Ruth another week. but | promise
Aunt Ostrander l would spend the las
days OF my vacation with her. l ha
letter from her yesterday in regar
to the dinner. She writes me l am I
wear an elegant gown and go dow
with John Leigh. author. Don't yo
think that is glory enough for on
young woman in one evening"
Il should think SO. And you are I
meet your idol at last. are you? Be-
sic. has il ever occurred to you thf
perhaps you may be disappointed
himy'
Il shall like him. And the girl
voice had very positive note. Il hay
read everything he has written II
four-years. and since have been worl
ing for the c. magazine | have illu
trated several of his stories. l ca
even tell you what he looks like. thoug
have never seen him. He is dark Il
enc thing and has strong. thoughtfl
face wonder what he is coming {
Boston for?"
The quizzical smile deepened In Jack
blue eyes. Where does he live whe
he is at homer
Bessie's brows drew together in
thoughtful frown. well. j don't b
lieve ever really heard. Somehow
have always tLorHht of him as livir
in New York city
Just then the train stopped at a sma
station and picked up man. Bo
tonian, every inch. There was nothiI