Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1902-08-21
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by :
GRACE
mcgowan
COOKE :
Copyright, 1901, $
By Grace !
MdcGOlCGn !
Cooke !
I'VE might kidnap himv

Il don't understand" she complained.
You want this report for your own
paper, don't you? chance to have in
side information that you-that is, the
Star-will have it exclusively. Doesn't
that suit your"
The young man turned his back to
the room full of chattering people and
put his broad shoulders between her
telltale young face and prying eyes.
Their conversation was being held
precariously at a crowded afternoon
tea.
"Look here, grille" he said, ''it's just
like this: Yesterday / was city man on
the Star, with a good chance of promo
ton. 1 felt I had something to offer
the girl love. Today the Record
might take me if I went to them with
scoop in my hand-and they're not
making a living for the men they al
ready have"
ooh, Tom," cried the girl, with a
note of keen distress in her carefully
suppressed voice, you've not lost your
position! How was it?"
lie young IcliOW HOOoOV' -
Belts" he returned glOomily YOU
know what Belts is. was al right
with him till Mr.. Markham noticed my
work and (as I've been Informed by
man on the inside) told Belts to push
me as fast as possible, for he thought
I'd make a good chief in my depart
ment Belts won't keep man on the
staff who is possible rival. He called
me into his private room yesterday
morning and gave me an order when
he knew I'd refuse to execute. When
did so, he worked himself into rage
and discharged me. Well, said some
things an assistant can't say to his
chief before the discharge came. Then
I asked to be allowed to leave at once
and here am. I've acted the fool. I'm
not fit to be trusted with your future,
dear. r. His voice broke little and
sank into silence
"You've done just as would have
you do" the girl returned Loyalty, "and
now if you're off the Star and not on
the Record how would this cotton mill
scoop affect you"
.It would square me with Belts If l
could beat him on it, and If | could take
it to the Record it would assure me a
place there. But what's the use OF
talking? I've tried all l know, and
can't get word of the story
eff l thought it would be just right"
she murmured "Tom,' looking at him
anxiously, you're very sure nobody
will lose money by it if the Star gets
lerr on this?"
ooh, you mean outsiders! I'm telling
you the truth when say it won't make
any difference whatever, financially, to
anybody if the Record gets scoop on
this cotton mill business and publishes
the fact first that Senator Morgan is in
town looking for site for the build
ings."
"All right" said the girl, laughing a
little. "YOu see, he's mothers cousin,
and Of course we went to the hotel to
see him when he first came in yester-
day morning. While we were there
your Mr.. Belts of the Star came up.
He and Senator Morgan were in school
together and are old friends.
"Mr. Belts is going down to Birming-
ham to attend land sale, but l heard
the senator promise him that he would
not allow his name to be put on the ho-
tel register nor permit any Of the Rec
ord folks to find out that he was here.
"Mr. Belts was to send reliable man
around from the Star the next day
why, that's today, Tom. It's this very
evening! And the senator was going
to give him the details Of the cotton
mill scheme, with the names Of all the
eastern stockholders and, if he decides
upon it, the exact location of the mill"
isn't that enough to make angels
weep" groaned Tom Harding.
Poor Tom!' said the girl. "You
look positively thin. Haye q little more
oyster pate. You'd feel amiably dis
posed toward anybody who would help
you out on this, wouldn't you?"
"I'd love 'em for life. Well, reckon
I can tear down to the Record office
and make the longest item can out of
the fact that l do know Senator Nor
gan is here and that his plans are COM
Ing on all right. They don't even know
that much" sGsSsli sgss:s
Dear mer confided the girl to her
fan; Men are stupid creatures"
"But women aren't" said Harding
gayly. 81 know you've got a scheme
in that pretty little head of yours"
'It's so easy" said the girl, yawning
little. 81 heard Mr.. Belts making
the engagement for his man for late
this evening, ard the name he used
was that Of a gentleman Of my ac-
quaintance, certain Mr.. Thomas
Harding. All you have to do is to go
a little early. Then when the senator
has told you all you want to know,
why, you just say something a little
disagreeabie, so that when the real
Star man comes Cousin John will be
furious and won't see him. I'm
ashamed of you to lack bit Of inven-
ton like that.
"Great Scott murmured Harding in
awe. "You are worth any two men on