The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1899-08-09
HER FIRST ASSIGNMENT.
Tragic-Comic Experience of Woman Reporter.

pointed. She wasn't up; call again, the
boy brought back the message. She
called again Literary lady had de.
cided not to go so ear y; call again.
She called again. Literary lady was
dressing; would be down. She
waited. Literary lady came by and
by in great rush.
$50 glad you are going with me-"
she said, and then raced her to the ell
evated station till both were fairly out
of breath. They regained it, however,
on the way down to Christopher street
aud started on fresh race to the
ferry. The gate was closed, 80 the
literary lady walked up and down i'm
patiently and finally bought paper
at the newsstand just as the gate
opened. Whe they had found seats
on the boat she unfolded the paper
and turned to the woman's page. The
first thing that caught her eye was
her own name.
81 see I'm to lecture before the
Ultras," she said, smiling. "Good
gracious" she broke off suddenly.
"What is it?"
"Why, gracious me-" said the liter
ary lady, ''the notice says there will
be reception after the lecture, and
look at this gown! That's what they
meant when they kept telling me to
dress upl A reception in this thing"
1t was only plain tailor gown.
Gracious! / wonder if they told
me and | forgot?"
The young woman felt quite sure
she had forgot, but she didn't dare say
! so.
"What would you do?" asked the
literary lady.
''What can you do?" asked the girl.
Nothing said the literary lady.
"rhen I'd try not TO care, said the
girl, philosophically.
The literary lad Y evidently tried not
to care, but she failed, and her face
bore n careworn look. When they
were seated on he train the girl
thought she had forgotten, but she
had not.
"I'll tell you," said the literary
lady, grabbing her arm, 81 am sorry
to trouble you, but I'll have to get you
to go back for my gown. l simply
can't attend an Ultra reception in this.
/ know / forgot. But you must go
back and take later train over, the
next if you can. My satin skirt is in
the bottom bureau drawer; the waist
is in my trunk; it isn't locked. Hurry,
you must get it for me"
The train was beginning to move.
but she followed the girl to the rear
platform and called to her as she
jumped off:
'My room is second to the left on
the third floor"
The girl was almost convulsed with
laughter mt the humor of the situation.
She caught the ferryboat back, but had
to wait at Fifty-ninth street for
Sixth avenue elevated. When she got
to the house she pushed the bell fran
tically, but got no response. Once,
twice, thrice again, but still no an
swer. Moments were precious. Final
lv some ladies opened the door and
went ont. The girl seized the oppor-
tunity and went in. There was no one
in sight. She went upstairs and to
the second room on the left, third
floor. She knocked obviously, not
knowing whom or what she should
find. No response. She opened the
door and entered. Books and papers
everywhere; evidently this was the
literary lady's room.
She found the satin skirt in the
drawer without any trouble, but had
to light the gas to look in the trunk.
Beside, there were two trunks,
and there was no way of knowing
which. Suddenly it occurred to her
the possibility that someone might
come in, discover her prowling and
mistake her for thief. There was
not person in the house who knew
her. She rang the bell, meaning to
explain to the maid. Then the i'm
possibility of being able to explain to
a maid who had never seen her sug-
gested itself, and she locked the door.
That very act made her feel like a
thief, and she crept about stealthily,
fearful half lest the maid should not
come, half lest she should. She
waited breathlessly; no one came.
After much searching she found the
waist and made up the package in a
newspaper. There was not bit of
string anywhere, 80 she shipped of
the curtain cord aud tied it up. Now,
the question OF making an exit was an
important one. Surely she could not
get away with that big bundle without
being seen. but get away she must It