Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1915-04-01
nARRy'S Interview
BY ADELA GRACE CROWN.

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 a 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.
Were going to publish a series Of
funny interviews, and l want you to
handle the first" he said. "It's with
the world.renowned authoress, Eliza
beth Crow Cavendish. She wrote A
Girls Safety The Happy Marriage,
etc. Shopgirls' 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?"
Il think so" said Harry.
At eight o'clock that evening he was
being shown into Miss Cavendish's
house. The elderly lady who awaited
him at the table apologized for not
rising, and the crutch beside her chair
explained her reason. Harry was con.
scious of an impression distinctly
pleasing. He felt little regretful
about his mission. Still, newspaper
man Is bound In strictest loyalty to
his newspaper.
1t 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. "Cynthias Happy
Choice"
1t was only after he reached the
street that Harry realized he must
turn this hospitable kindness into
mockery. However, he knew the duty
of newspaper man; and perhaps be-
cause of his humiliation he wrote the
funniest of all the interviews that APP
peared.
Harry received no letter from Laura
for several days. 1t had been planned
that he was to meet her at the station
and take her to her aunt's. He was
beginning to grow uneasy when he re-
ceived letter with the New York
pOstmark
Dearest Harry" she wrote, II have
arrived in New York, and thought !
would give you little surprise byslet
ting you remain in ignorance until |
had actually come. You see, my dear
the train came in so late at night,
and, with your exacting duties, !
couldn't let you come and take me SO
far and miss your sleep. | was quite
well cared for by the agent for the
Travellers society.
And now have little surprise for
you. My aunt is no less person than
Miss Cavendish, the famous authoress
What do you think of that?'
Harry read the letter and sat still
as though stunned. Then he per-
ceived that another missive, with 70.
mantle pink scented envelope, lay be-
side his papers. He opened it. 1t was
from Miss Cavendish.
81 cannot begin to tell you" 1t ram
how much | liked your delightful in
terview. But, Mr., Rogers, am afraid
you have overestimated my influence
among working girls. Come and see
me and let us have a nice unprofes
sional chat"
With determination that did not
falter he made his way to Miss Caven
dish's house that evening. What
agonies of spirit he endured during the
day only he knows.
He was shown into the same room
as before. The room was empty. And
while he stood there, desperately gath.
ering together the few strands of cour-
age that remained to him, the door
opened and Miss Cavendish 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 Cavendish," he began, that
interview must tell you'll must ex.
plain"
my dear boy, 1t was simply splen.
did," the old lady answered. 1T made
me feel prouder of my work than |
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 Cavendish
quietly went out of the room.
II Laura's kisses comforted him.
they also made him feel abashed to
the lowest level of humiliation.
II 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 her and her simple
aims-but you didn't, dear. And am
happier than can tell"
And 1t was that unconfessed secret
which he knew he must bear alone
thenceforth that made Lauras