The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-06-04

s,intv touches that set to rights her hat
80 dress-a little pull here and a pat there
bearded herself with some complacency
a the large mirror that was set before her,
- indeed she had every right to do, for she
Uas an exceedingly pretty girl
IN this occasion Miss Jennie had paid more
81, usual attention to her toilet for she
mas about TO set out 10 capture a man, and
,,A man was no other than Radnor Hard
nick. the capable editor of the Daily Bugle
.-bich was considered at that moment 10 be
the most enterprising morning journal IN
che great metropolis. Miss Baxter had done
work fer some of the evening papers. several
NJ the weekIies and &C number of the month
lies. and the income she made was reason
ably good. but hazardously ftful. There was
an uncertainty about her mode of life which
was displeasing 10 her. and she resolved, IL
rossible 10 capture an editor on one of the
morning papers. and get a salary that was
fixed and certain
She stepped lightly into the hanson that
vas waiting for her and said to the cab
man. 'Office Of the Daily Bugle, please; side
entrance"
The careful toilet made its first impression
upon the surly looking Irish porter. who,
like a grur and faithful watch dog. guarded
the entrance TO the editorial rooms of the
Bugle. When he caught a glimpse of Miss
Baxter he slid off the stool and came out OF
the door TO her, which was an extraordinary
concession to a visitor, for Pat Ryan con-
tented himself. as a usual thing. by saying
CURLY that the editor was busy and could
see no one.
What did ye wish. miss? To see the
editor? That's Mr.. Hardwick. Have We an
appointment with him? Ye haven't. Then L
very much doubt if yen see him this day,
mum. It's far better 10 write TO him; thin
We can state what We want. an If he makes
an appointment there'll be no trouble at all,
al all
But surely" said Miss Jennie. In her
most cOaxing tone, there must be some
way 10 see even such a great man as the
editor. and if there is you know the way"
'Indade, miss. an I'm not so sure there
Is a way unless you met him in the strate,
which is unlikely. There's twelve men now
waitin' for him in the big room Beyont
that room there's another one, an beyont
that again is Mr.. Hardwick's office. Now,
its as much as my place is worth. mum. to
put We in that room beyant the one where
the men are waitin; but, TO tell ye the truth,
miss" said the Irishman, lowering his
voice, as IL he were divulging Office secrets,
"Mr. Hardwick, who is a difficult man TO
deal with, sometimes comes through the
shmall room an out into the passage with
he doesn't want to see any one at all, at
ALL an goes out into the strate, leavin'
everybody waitin' for him. Now, I'll put We
into this room, an If the editor tries to
slip out. thin We can speak with him, but if
he asks We how We got there, for the sake
OF hivin don't tell him that 1 sint We. be-
cause that's not my duty at ALL at ALL"
Indeed, / won't tell him how got there,
or. rather, III tell him / came there by
myself; so all you need TO do is TO show
me the door. and there won't need TO be
any lies told"
They went up the stairs together. at the
headof which the porter stood while Miss
Baxter went down the long passage and
stopped at the right door. Ryan nodded
and disappeared.
Miss Baxter opened the. door softly, en-
tered and sat down near the door by which
she had entered from the PASSAGE ready to
intercept the flying editor should he attempt
10 escape.
In the editor room some one was walk
ing up and down with heavy football and
growing in a deep voice that was plainly
audible where Miss Jennie sat.
You see. Alder, it's like this" said the
voice. ANY paper may have a sensation
every day if it wishes. But what want is
accuracy; otherwise our sheet has no real
influence. When an article appears in The
Bugle, 1 want our readers TO understand
that that article is true from beginning &c
end I want not only sensation, but defin-
iteness, and not only defniteness, but alb
solute truth"
We'll, M. Hardwick,'' interrupted an
other voice. what Hazel is afraid of is that
when this blows over ne will lose his situa-
ton"
But" interrupted the editor, mo one can
tel that he gave the information. No one
knows anything about this but you and l.
and We will certainly keep our mouths
shut"
What Hazel fears is that the moment
We print the account the board of public
construction Will know he gave away the
figures because of their accuracy. He says
that IL we permit him to make one or two
olunders, which will not matter in the least
IN so far as the general account goes, 1t
viii turn suspicion from him 1t will be
supposed that some one had access to the
books and in the hurry Of transcribing fig
ures had made the plumbers, which they
know he would not do. for he has repu-
tauon for accuracy in figures"
Quite So" said the editor, "and 1t is
Just that reputation for accuracy that ]
want TO gain for. the Daily Bugle. Don't
you think the truth Of it is that the man
wants more money!"
Who? Hazel?"
Certainly. Does he imagine that he could
get more than $50 elsewhere?'
oh, no, I'm sure the money doesn't
Come into the matter at all"
Where do you meet this man? At his
own house or in his Office at the board?''
oh. in his own house. Of course!'
You haven't seen the books, then?"
No, but he has the accounts all made
out. tabulated beautifully, and has written
very clear statement Of the whole trans
action. You understand, of course. that
there has been no embezzlement. The ac-
counts as a whole balance perfectly. and
there isn't a penny Of the public funds
wrongly appropriated. All the hoard has
done is 10 juggle with figures SO that each
department. seems to have come out all
right, whereas the truth is that some de-
partments have been carried on at a great
profit. while with others there has been a
loss"
I am sorry money hasn't been stolen.
SAID The editor QenarnuSIy- ssfhen we U0ud