The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1906-07-26

The next AFTERNOON nora came to
see him 1t was plain that she was
very much agitated, poor child, and
trembled as she conjectured the mean
ing OF the interview.
you received my note?" he asked
YES" she stammered.
We'll, have thought very carefully
over the letter you sent me. 1t is not
my duty, and, in fact, is against our
rules to communicate with contribu-
tors in regard to rejected manuscripts
but feeling kindly disposed to you,
have taken the liberty of speaking
plainly. 1 see you are quite young
not more than IS, probably. You are
naturally bright, have good DISPOSE
ton, and mean to do well. But
must say to you that l do not think
eny OF your writings which I have
Gan justify you In seeking to enter y
literary life. know l ought not to
bVe this advice. 1t is bad policy on
my part. You will never thank me for
IT. but I pledge you my word that
speak from all kindness and SINGER
ity." He handed her back the manu-
script, but it fell from her trembling
hands. Her little face was white with
agitation.
"Listen!" he said. you know moth
ing of life. You have only begun to
suffer, and not till after years of suf-
fering can great works of genius be
produced. You will find this a prac-
tical world. l learned that lesson. l
was once considered rich. l was in
love with girl who, as l thought,
loved me in return. Then lawsuit
arose and swept away my entire for
tune. 1 appealed the case to high
er court, where it is now pending, bu:
my lawyer has given up all hope Of
ever winning it. AS soon as lost that
suit the girl whom l liked best threw
me overheard, and so here l am slav-
ing away on this old magazine"
He appeared to be talking to him
SELF He seemed to have forgotten her
entirely, else this reserved, taciturn
man would never haze confded in a
silly girl whom he scarcely knew.
Recovering himself, he quickly rose,
and she, taking the mint, grasped her
rejected manuscript and hurried away.
Spring had indeed arrived at last
true to the predictions of her poet
lovers. The air was so balmy, the
sunlight so genial, that Jack deter
mined, one Saturday afternoon, to take
a walk through the suburbs Passing
out OF the noisy, dirty streets, he
walked through the green lanes be-
yond the city limits. At last he reached
the limits of the town itself, and as
he passed by modest little brown
cottage he met face to face with Nora
herself at the gate.
He was not only startled by seeing
her so suddenly, but by seeing her so
changed in appearance. She was evil
IDENTIFY just out after long illness.
Her big brown eyes seemed bigger
than ever in her little thin, white
face; under them were dark circles.
Her hair had been cut short like a
boys, and only few little brown
ringlets were left. She was leaning
for support against the gate, and her
small hand was emaciated by long suf-
fering.
You have been ill.," he said. II
am very sorry"
Yes; few days after l saw you
last l was taken with slow fever.
and have never been out of the house
until to-day"
Il am sorry did not know you were
sick, Nora. hope you will soon be
entirely WE'LL" he said.
AS he passed by her house the next
day he brought her some flowers
beautiful red roses-and hoped that
her cheeks would soon be as red as
they. Was it a coincidence that
brought Nora to the gate just as he
passed by?
The Southern Household Magazine
was fast becoming burden on its
owners hands. Jack saw his stock
in it depreciating every day. Each
month showed financial loss. 1t babe
fair to soon join the long list OF de-
funct southern magazines.
During those days he often found
time to pass by Nora's house, though
he seldom went in. He found tina.
with her he could be perfectly frank.
and he liked to talk to some one whom
he was not compelled to adopt the
usual rigid reserve. This simple girl
appealed to him in peculiar way.
One day, in passing by, he asked her.
to walk short distance with him.
She ran in the house for her hat, then
returned and went with him