The herald., 1894-05-20

duced-'' He took up the sheets before
him and began to read them. When he
had finished. he turned to his nephew
in surprise. His eye beamed with the
delight begotten of scoops -
well, my boy, that's corlxerp he
Eid heartily. Where did you get it?''
Listened and heard some old gossips
tell it, as you told me to do All know
is that it's the escapade of woman
high in local social circles, just as I've
said.
'Escapade?' his uncle repeated. ST
should call it pretty near being crime
She goes to a midnight supper during
her husbands absence from town, and
after conducting herself in scandalous
manner there she escapes when threat
ened with discovery by personating Mrs.
H, prominent woman of we'll
known rapid proclivities, has the supper
| charged to her account, and-um!-she
goes little too far for safety in that
escapade. "
'Of course I had to exaggerate it a
trifie-touch up the high lights, you
know"
'And darken the shadows. Well,
that's what we want, and you've hit it
the first time. Only, if we could give
the name of the woman who did it or
those of her relatives, it would be
stronger. Don't know it, eh?''
mo"
''Well, the name of the woman she
personated is enough for one scoop, and
we've got that. Perhaps others may
know it, and it'll set 'em to talking"
He took up his blue pencil and wrote
I'm. g." at the top of the page. per
haps you'll make newspaper man,
after all, in spite of your college educa-
ton. Who knows?"
George Stanton seized the manuscript
and hurried on with it to the editorial
den, where he deposited it gleefully
upon the top of a pile of papers ON the
editors desk. After that, dinner, the
theater, supper followed in succession,
and at midnight he tried to possess him
self with patience to await the arrival
of the paper which would contain his
maiden effort in journalism.
An overwhelming disappointment
awaited him, for when he unfolded the
sheet not line of his production could
he find After searching several times
through the Is pages of the paper the
conviction was forced upon him it had
been omitted.
He fastened to his uncle's Office, for
although it was Sunday morning, he
knew he should find him there.
my article has been omitted" he
announced
His uncle surveyed the crestfallen
countenance before him.
Omitted? / haven't had time to
glance at the paper yet-there' s SO much
of it, but it can't be possible. "
1t is though. Here's the paper. Look
for yourself
The proprietor glanced hastily over
the sheet.
81 never knew Bacon to do such a
thing before in all the II years he's
been on the paper.
"Where is he?"
Home, l suppose. haven't seen
him. Ring up the porter and find out. "
The man reported that Mr. Bacon had
been in his office all night, walking up
and down, sor, strangelike. l axed him
wor any one after him, but he said No,
kinder absentmindedlike and whit on
walkin up and down.
Frederick Stanton dismissed the man.
His words had deepened the mystery.
81 can't understand this at all. Come,
George; we will find out what it
means.
AT the door of the editorial office a
haggard face confronted them. Mr.
Bacon silently ushered in his visitors
and closed the door ,sso 20
81 sent you some stuff last night,
Bacon" said Frederick Stanton, land
I've come to hear your explanation-if
you can give one--as to why you kept it
back -
The man addressed began to pace the
room nervously.
sit was about-a woman" he said
finally.
"Well, what of it?'' demanded his
superior. ''Her name wasn't mention
ed, though it ought to have been, and
if it had been is that any reason why
you should scruple to publish what I
send in? You've never hesitated before
over such trifle as woman's reputa-
ton
There was an ominous pause
eve may as well understand one an
other first as last, the speaker con-
tinued. sit will never do for an editor
to doubt the policy of an owner. You
would be asking my reasons next. If
you are to presume to dictate to me, we
may as well sever our connection at
once"
The man addressed staggered slightly.
His face paled, and hunted look came
into his eyes
cit was only woman's reputation
that was at stake, he said quietly,
"but the woman was-my wifeP'-
John How Bargate in Argonaut.