The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1896-06-04

/ said he was from louisville.
| "What does he look like?"
"Middlin' tall. with n pink shirt an
sash, an curly hair, an a mustache."
The girl feared the very worst, but
calmly asked:
do you know what his business is?"
81 think he must be reporter, the
way he talks"
At this all hopes of a SCOOP" died in
the girls breast. From Quarles' crude
description she was sure the new
arrival must be Dick Ainesworth, of
the interviewer, Jonesville's other
morning paper. Her acquaintance with
the young man was slight, but she knew
he was hustler"
| Quarles' report of his next scout
proved that her surmise was correct
Ainsworth had come down in search
| of political news for his Sunday edi-
ton, and intended going over to the
| picnic, but hearing of the tragedy, had
/ concluded to stay in the village and
bag the bigger game. He worked swift
ly, and by 1880 o'clock his notebook was
full, and he was ready to drive back to
Jonesville. By that time Miss Lumsden,
who had been cool enough while gath
ering the facts and preparing her copy,
was feverish at the prospect of losing
all for the lack of means of getting her
matter to Jonesville.
Defeat at this stage of the game would
have been maddening.
When the faithful Quarles reported
to the perpleXed journalist that Aims
worth's horse was hitched, she made
desperate resolution. 1t was moth
ing less than to ask Ainsworth to take
her up to Jonesville with him. AS a
young woman she might have hesitated
at such a step; as a newspaper girl,
she thought only of her duty to the
Photograph.
She reached the hotel just as her
rival was starting. The young man
had kept himself fully informed con-
corning the monograph reporters
movements, knew exactly her predica-
nent, and was sure he had every
thing his own way. Nevertheless, he
showed well-simulated surprise at her
appearance.
He bowed politely, exclaimng:
"Why, how are you, Miss Lums-
den? L didn't know you were down
| here!"
She extended her hand cordially.
Il came down three weeks ago for a
rest, but I've decided to go back to-
| day, and have a favor to ask of you.
Mr.. Ainsworth, would you mind taking
me up to town with you?"
This in her sweetest tone and with
a winning smile.
Ainsworth, in common with most
successful journalists, possessed the
knack of thoroughly controlling his
voice and features under all circum-
stances. and there was no trace of as
constituent in either, and no relaxa-
ton of his pleasant manner as he re-
piled. after the slightest pause:
Certainly, upon one condition"
"Nhat is that?" she asked, in an
of-course-she-could- sort of
tone.
THAT you don't give your paper the
Arnold tragedy"
The girl had more than half-expected
this, but there was plainly expressed
disappointment in the outward curve
of her red lips and the slightest culver
OF her eyelds as she answered: "Oh,
couldn't do that
Ainsworth, infleXible though he had
resolved to be, said mentally: "How
deuced charming she looks. She'll cry
next, and then what will | do?"
Then aloud Miss Lumsden, do
you realize how much you are asking?"
Il think do; and my experience
with gentlemen reporters led me to
hope you might extend the courtesy
The accent upon gentleman" was
faint but significant.
Indeed, I'm truly sorry I can't oblige
YOU; but you must know that my first
duty is to my paper
"Oh, very well. I'll find some other
way, | suppose" She spoke slowly,
with the slightest tremor in her voice.
Ainsworth felt that to tarry longer
was TO risk defeat. So he leaped into
his buggy, and with polite Good
evening"" whirled away toward Jones'
Vile.
AS the few loungers who witnessed
the swiftly-enacted scene gazed from
the vanishing vehicle to the girls fair
face, and saw tiny tear standing in
each of her bright brown eyes, they
| marveled how mortal man could be
such brute. Quarles shook his fist at
the departing journalist, and muttered:
I'D NV tossed him out for a nickel. The
| Gnarticulate growD to treat lady So"
Never mind, Quarles, we'll beat him
vet. 1t was mean, though" Suddenly
her face frightened. "Hurrah! I've an
idea" And she trotted briskly up the
road, followed by the devoted Quarles
Before Ainsworth had covered two
miles of the dusky pike he had changed
his mind 20 times, now resolving to
return and say Yes" and then de-
cided that duty required him to drive
on as fast as he could toward the Inter
viewer Office, still miles and miles away.
He was a good-hearted fellow, fully
informed as to the amenities of Jour
nalism, and possessing at least the av-
crage amount of gallantry. On an or
binary occasion he would probably not