The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1896-07-04

2
said he was from Jonesville.
"What does he look like?"
''Middlin' tall, with pink shirt an
q sash, an curly hair, an mustache.
The girl feared the very worst, bu
calmly asked:
"Do you know what his business is 2"
II think he must he reporter, thu
way he talks"
At this all hopes of SCOOP" died in
the girls breast. From Quarles' crude
description she was sure the new
arrival must be Dick Ainesworth, oil
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
a desperate resolution. It 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 step; as newspaper girl,
she thought only of her duty to tie
monograph.
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-
incnt, and was sure he had every
thing his own way. Nevertheless, he
showed well-simulated surprise at her
appearance.
He bowed politely, exclaiming:
"Why, how are you, Miss Lums-
den? l didn't know you were down
herel"
She extended her hand cordially.
Il came down three weeks ago for
rest, but I've decided to go back to-
day, and have 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
constituent in either, and no relaxa- |
tion of his pleasant manner as he re-
piled. after the slightest pause:
Certainly, upon one condition"
what is that?" she asked, in an
f-course-she-could-comply 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
in the outward curve
of her red lips and the slightest culver
of her eyelids as she answered: "Oh, 1
couldn't do that"
Ainsworth, infexible though he had
resolved to be, said mentally: "How
ieuced charming she looks! She'll cry
next, and then what will do?'
Then aloud: "Miss Lumsden. do
Tou realize how much you are asking?,
u think I do; and my experience /.
With gentlemen reporters led me to
rope you might extend the courtesy !,
The accent upon gentleman" was
amt but significant.
Indeed, I'm truly sorry can't oblige
GU; but you must know that my first :.
uty is to my paper" {
"Oh, very well. I'll find some other
Vay, | suppose" She spoke slowly, !
nth the slightest tremor in her voice.
Ainsworth felt that to tarry longer
as to risk defeat. So he leaped into
is buggy, and with a polite "Good-
vening, whirled away toward jones' +!
lille. Ic
AS the few loungers who witnessed !,
ne swiftly-enacted scene gazed from
ne vanishing vehicle to the girls fair
ce, and saw tiny tear standing in "
ach OF her bright brown eyes, they i
larveled how mortal man could be .
lch brute. Quarles shook his fist at II
he departing journalist, and muttered: r.
"a NV tossed him out for nickel. The 81
growD to treat lady So"
Never mind, Quarles, we'll beat him X
e. 1t was mean, though" Suddenly o.
n face frightened. "Hurrah! I've an
ea-' And she trotted briskly up the lie
ad, followed by the devoted Quaries. II
Before Ainsworth had covered two e
lies of the duslSy pike he had changed III
mind 20 times, now resolving to
turn and say "Yes," and then de- hi
led that fTr,f,- ro-,,s-ol | w