The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1915-03-17
nARRYS interview
BY ADELA GRACE CROWN.

(CopyrlSnl, S14, oy w. ". S'Hapl0da-'
It is not often that young fellow,
after serving an apprenticeship OF two
years on a newspaper, IS in position
to marry. So Harry Rogers accounted
himself particularly fortunate young
man.
Laura, to whom he had said good-by
in the little home town when he start
ed for the metropolis TO make his for
tune, had remained true to him. He
had been home three times on vaca-
ton, and each time their love had
seemed more real to both.
Laura was to become his wife with
in month! She was to go to New
York to stay with her aunt, whom
Harry had never met, and they were
to be married there. In week he
would see Laura again.
Symonds, the city editor, called
Harry over to his desk.
We're going to publish series Of
funny interviews, and / want you to
handle the first" he said. Its with
the world-renowned authoress, Eliza,
beth Crow Cavendish. She wrote 4
Girls Safety The Happy Marriage,
etc. Shopgicls' slush, you know, and
takes herself very seriously as an up.
lifting power among those who read
her twaddle. Think you can do mock
serious interview to raise laugh?"
"J think so +" said Harry
At eight o'clock that evening ne was
being shown into Miss Cayendish's
house. The elderly lady who awaited
him at the table apologized for not
rising, and the crutcn beside her chair
explained her reason. Harry was con-
scious Of an impression distinctly
pleasing. He felt little regretfui
about his mission. Still, newspaper
man is bound in strictest loyalty to
lis newspaper.
It was evident that Miss Cayendish
took herself very seriously indeed, and,
becoming confidential, in her simple
way she showed him, under pledge
Of confidence, the manuscript Of her
forthcoming WORK. "Cynthia's Happy
Choice"
It was only after ne reached the
street that Harry realized he must
turn this hospitabIe kindness into
IoocSery. However, he knew the duty
: :: newspaper naa; and perhaps be-
( e:se of his humiliation he wrote the
a1niess Of all the interviews that ap-
peared.
Harry received no letter from Laura
| fer several days. It had been planned
Eat ne vas to meet her at the station
| .nd take her to her aunt's. He was
beginning to grow uneasy when he re-
sciged letter with the New York
| ccstmark
Dearest Harry" she wrote, Il have
arrived in New York, and thought
would give ycu little surprise byslet.
ting you remain in Ignorance until
had actually come. You see, my dear,
| .:e train came in so late at night,
and, with your exacting duties, ]
couldn't let you come and take NE SO
far and miss your sleep. was quite
vel cared for by the agent for the
Travellers society
and now have little surprise for
you. My aunt is no less person than
| Siiss Cavendish, the famous authoress.
What do you think CT that?"
Harry read the letter and sat still
! IS though, stunned Then he per
ceiyed that another missive, with a ro-
mantle pink scented envelope, lay be-
side his papers. Ee opened it. It was
from Miss Ca7endish.
81 cannot begin to tell you," it ran,
how much I liked your delightful in
terview. But, Mr.. Rogers, am afraid
ycu have overestimated my influence
among working girls Come and see
ne and lei US have a nice unprofes-
sional chat"
With determination that did not
falter he made his way to Miss Caven-
Gish's house that evening. What
agonies OF spirit he endured during the
day cnly be knows.
He was shown into TIE same room
as before. The room was empty. And
while he stood there. desperately gath
e-ing together the few strands Of cour-
age that remained to him., the door
! opened and Miss Cayendish hobbled in
with her crutch
She came up to him and held out
both hands.
Now know who Harry Rogers is"
she said, "he is doubly welcome" And
the little old lady kissed him On the
cheek.
Miss Cayerdish," he began, that
| interview must tell you-I must ex-
| plain"
i; MY dear boy. it was simply splen-
did," the old lady answered 1T made
ne feel prouder Of my work than I
ought to feel Not word more, be-
! cause am too Old to blush, Harry"
And the young man realized that the
spiteful, envenomed Shaft had passed
her by She was utterly unconscious
Of the hidden satire, of the malignant
sneers She was too high to be struck
down by the poisoned arrow.
And while Harry stood in perplexity
before her, an awful relief in his heart,
Laura came in. And Miss Cayendish
quietly went out Of the room.
If Laura's kisses comforted him,
they also made him feel abashed to
the lowest level of humiliation.
sT read your beautiful interview,
Harry" she said And, do you know,
it makes me think you Will rise very
high, when you can see so much IN
auntie's writings Many fine writer's
have misunderstood asr and her simple
aims-but you didn't, dear. A2d am
happier than ! can tell"
And it vas that uncontesscd secret
which h. knew he must bear alone
thencefoTth that r1aI2 IaG-n
prophecy corda t-us