Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1903-06-27
WHEN A
MANS LAZY
BY SNOWDEN KING
Copyright, 1902, Jy T. G. Mcclure

woman, with an 2lerL 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" 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 hatY'
"Allow me- Before she was aware
of his presence he had raised the win
dow she was tugging at.
Your she Intercepted.
"None other,'' he laughed And
what do you mean by stepping nto my
car so unceremOniouSly? I 1ght
you were in Boston, working a. ne
but you can work"
Mother and l have been taking
much needed vacation two miles out
of Providence with Aunt Ruth Armsly,
mothers sister. You don't know what
a time we have had-fried chicken,
fresh milk and eggs, the finest scenery
and the dearest aunt in the world
ooh, but 1 Go know" he interrupted,
'for l have been enjoying the same,
minus the aunt, few miles down the
bay! 1 didn't feel like going the regu-
lar rounds this summer, so l took my
vacation late and in my own way
''Your vacationr' And Bessie Stuart
laughed soft and low. From what,
please? Confess you have never done
a days work in your life"
"And you," he answered softly, shave
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 l
have to use the minutes as we'll as the
hours, SO as to keep up my reporting"
''Are you going to do reporting this
winter? 1t is such hard. grinding work
for a woman, Bessie, nate to see you
do it, and with all my heart wish l
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 at least
before can give it UP for more con-
genial employment. Illustrating does
not pay quite well enough yet to take
care of the Stuarts financially. l sup
pose your work will be the same" and
her lips curled little scornfully, sci
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"
ooh, Jack" she exclaimed, ''you
were made for something better than
an idle, useless lifev'
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 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 at
Mrs. Ostrander's, Bessie's aunt,
wealthy society woman, who, when
Mr.. Stuart died, opened her doors to
his widow and daughter.
Bessie had stoutly refused. 'No
aunt, 1 cannot" she had said, "even
though you are papa's sister. Mamma
and / will live alone, and you will see
that 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 as possible.
There was silence between Jack and
Bessie for some time. He broke it by
saying:
Are you going to be present at your
aunt's dinner Wednesday evening""
Eyes; that is what 1 am going home
for now. Mamma will stay with Aunt
Ruth another week, but l promised
Aunt Ostrander would spend the last
days of my vacation with her. l had
a letter from her esterday in regard
to the dinner. She writes me 1 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""
81 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
himY'
81 shall like him. And the girls
voice had a very positive note. 81 have
read everything he has written for
four years, and since 1 have been work
ing for the G. magazine 1 have illus
trated several of his stories. I can
even tell you what he looks like, though
/ have never seen him. He is dark for
one thing and has a strong, thoughtful
face. | wonder what he is coming to