Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1896-05-28

the interviewer, Jonesville's other
morning paper. Her acquaintance with
the young man was sligat, but she knew
he was a "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
tion, 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 Jonesvile.
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
a desperate resolution. 1t was moth
ing less than to ask Ainsworth to take
lCi up W oOIlNSNlIlc WIN iill' 4AS Il
young woman she might have hesitated
at such step; as newspaper girl,
she thought only of her duty to the
Phonograph.
| She reached the hotel just as her
rival was starting. The young man
had kept himself fully informed con-
cerning the Phonograph 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.
lie bowed politely, eXclaiming:
"Why, how are you, Miss Lums-
den? l didn't know you were down
| here!"
She extended her hand cordially.
81 came down three weeks ago for a
rest, but I've decided to go back to-
day, and have n favor to ask of you
Mr., Ainsworth, would you mind taking
me up to town with you?"
This in her sweetest tone and with
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
tonishment in either, and no relaXa-
ton of his pleasant manner as he re-
Piled after the slightest pause:
Certainly, upon one condition"
"What is that?" she asked, in an
of-course-she-couldcomply 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 eyelids 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?"
81 think l 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 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, l suppose" She spoke slowly,
with the slightest tremor in her voice
Ainsworth felt that to tarry longer
10 ,,seI- 1,r, L.
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
yet. 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 iour-