The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1903-03-03
A SANDWICH ENTREE.
BY MARGARET q. ADAMS.

readable German?" Mr.. Bridger was
almost plaintiff in his eagerness.
i think so. My parents were Ger
a since l was a child hat lansuage
has been my own as much rs the Eng
IiSh."
Then, you ear ear more right here
tonight in one hour han IN a day of
your lunch business. if you fill a great
emergency for me. Our Saturday issue
carries a page Of general matter IN G T.
man. The staff writer who provides
this has suddenly failed he: sent word
at the last moment when We are Just
going TO press, he's too sick for work.
At the instant l cannot put my hand
on a substitute. Here is a CHARGE if
you are equal TO it. Can YOU stay here
now, take that desk at once, and turn
the material as fast as l select It into
good German copy? It is now five
O'Clock, most of the day force are
leaving, but five or six will remain to
rush this matter. If you are a rapid
worker, we can finish it up by MN
oerhaps-and-you-will be we'll pad if
your work can be used"
She glanced at the already elnpty
rooms, at the shadows of twilight he
inning to veil windows that looked on
hOusetops far below: ana last she
canned the anxious rugged face Ink
as III HC4S i LdII ShtbllNdi Ill
Iuiry. 1t was square. forcefCl. deter
nined:-but the eyes were kind and
honest.
Mary Oberman knew the possibilities
# the situation: the remoteness of the
onely offices twenty stories above the
ides of that sea Of humanity ia
urged below. Her slender fingers.
lervOus blue-veined and sinewy ad
-asted lightly in her lap. They closed
T~h+ nrrfnr+ how rol~4u- vr-itI +h1
clenched fist of n who critters a phys
ical contest.-but the voice was calm.
Il will try"
Without further preliminary than ar
angling a fresh yellow pad and pens
Il her desk, and swinging the electric
light low over her head-the managing
sditOr was soon dashing off sheet after
'heet Of resume from the current Mat
ar Of his page proofs. culling with
Oracticed eye what would condense the
news of the week. AS RAPIDLY as the
cot line was reached, they were passed
Yer to the new assistant who bent to
ler task with feverish eagerness.
Page by page they went 10 the en-
Osing room. and it seemed a miracle
hat brought back the wet slips Eom
he galley, for correction by the writer.
he only form of proof reading possible
n this emergency.
Mr.. Bridger read German well
nough to see very soon that his edi-
ion was safe. the record need not be
prOken and the paper would go out
ntire.
There was absolute silence but for
h. hurried scratching Of pens, the
'huffle of the printers boy back and
nrth through the swing door as he
arried stuff" to and from the COM
losing DON
Breathlessly along through the hours.
ne office clock seemed to curry faster
nd faster as it drew near End passed
ne stroke of nine. Ten nut before
he half. Mr.. Bridger settled back in
lis chair with a great sigh of relief.
That's the fnish-Miss Obermann
We nave our five columns end a falf.
ne rest is ''ad" already set. When
-ou've turned this sheet into German
QUILL have finished the neatest job in
ny editorial e~xperience!'
He noted the tense look was quite
rune. she had forgotten all the blows
f adverse fate in the ABSORPTION of a
.Ongenial task.
Although demanding all her powers
concentration it had plainly not Dvtr-
trained a quick intelligence. Here was
ne woman who could meet sudden re-
.uisition without being "rattled.'
Cyrus Bridg6r was mentally huggino
himself for his own sagacitv, fancyIn
himself the deus eX machina instead Of
n involuntary agent Of Fate. H
Ould scarcely wait for the finishing OF
nat last page She seemed needle !'sly
deliberate. now. to his impatiencc-yet
very sentence was recorded in the
anne compact legible text. that had in
reduced his luncheon and tt,is vaILa-
lie worker a few hours ago.
Was it possible, So short / tina s.ure
| la had been in such stress of led,
ct now all was done-how easily il
aemed.
The last sheet was being set UP, an6
would come back shortly for inal nrON-
ny. Mary Obermann pressed her Lug
rs to weary eyes for Il moment. A
she rose to resume that she had laiC
lside for her unexpected task, Mr.
8ridger had time to note the I'm,
curVeS Of a figure in Il particularly
Well fitting if severe gown. Perhaps i
=. vas her mourning garb hat gave dis