Newport weekly independent., 1903-09-25
OUTLINE OF A ROMANCE.
,gsested by Stranger with . 5PurpIe Nose-The Heel of
 woman's Boot.

When he first appeared in front of the office boy at the entrance of the New York Suns editorial rooms, noth- ing less than an interview with the editor in chief would satisfy him. The boy threw tired glance at the strangers purple nose, stubbled chin and faded coat and persuaded him to communicate his errand to an ordi- nary reporter.
 Pulling a parcel from one of his coat pockets, he began to free this from it's coverings of tissue paper. Finally the last sheet of paper fell to the floor. The man raised trem~ bling hand, between the thumb and forefinger of which he held part of the heel of womans shoe.
 French, you see," he began, hoarse- ly Rather dainty, don't you think? There's story in it. I'll sell it at dou- ble space rates"
 What is it?" demanded the reporter. What are the facts?"
 There ain't any," replied the stran- ger. That's the beauty of the story. Nothing at all to hamper you-just bring your imagination to bear on this little object, and then make up your own story. That's what you newspaper fel- lows like best, ain't it?"
 T guess it is not in our line" said the reporter. Better go somewhere else"
 He turned to leave, but was grabbed by the arm and held back.
 ssnnn't on uaf un1,,e oy.;od tha stranger, eagerly. You are missing the chance of your lifetime. Just think what lot of romance lies hidden in this thing here.
 ''I'll tell you how found it. There was rush of young women to the soda fountain in the corner drug store. watched the little darlings. They fought like wildcats to get served first. That's in the nature of the sex.
 When the rush was over this heel was lying on the floor"
 'Well?" said the reporter.
 Well" repeated the stranger, re- proachfu1ly. T took you for philoso- pher when first set eyes on you and for something of a poet besides. But, of COulSt, Il l dul SIdhCu--
 Cant you give me the gist of your tale, if you have any?" the reporter asked.
 T have heard of men who could give you complete description of an animal after just seeing piece of bone that had belonged to it." unused the stranger. Couldn't you tell by this what the na- ture may be of the charming creature who dropped it? By the by, she must be limping now, poor thing We'll, you need not print that if you don't want to-"
 Really, I don't see any story" said the reporter
 Its French" the stranger went on, growing more and more dreamily en- thusiastic Its of the extreme kind so high, so high-she must be coquettish as a kitten. Much worn, too-a little poverty, little improvidence, and much gayety of heart.
 Its worn on the outside. You can bet she has charming, slightly undulat- ing walk. No slovenly sliding or step- ping high for hers.
 "Then it's so very narrow. That means she is single. or married to fool. Also, she is a little fool herself, but sweet The base of the heel was once wider"
 Rot" the reporter said. Get out of here"
 Off he went. The stranger looked afte- him for awhile. Then he began slowly to wrap up the heel again, picking one piece of paper after another from the floor for the purpose.
 "Too bad" he confided to the office boy, as he replaced the complete parcel in his pocket. ''The press is going down, degenerating-I think this one of the best stories offered them for long while"