Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1904-10-29
An Unfinished
Story
CCopyright. 1904. by Daily Story Pub. Col
By ANSON PADErf

THE night editor grabbed the last
bunch of proofs with something be-
tween an imprecation and a sigh of re
lief 1t had been particularly trying
night and he was tired to the point OF
nervous exhaustion. 1t seemed as
though everything had broken loose at
once-especially that character of news
which demanded close editorial atten.
zion and quick decision
More than that, Gle aight editor srss
tired and exhausted anyway Strange
as it may seem TO the great and myster-
fous powers down stairs who hire and
discharge night editors this particular
might editor had distinct troubles of his
own. Therefore shall he be nameless in
this story for it is known of all men thai
night editors have no right to have trou-
bles of their own, or any interests of any
sort outside the office, or any sentiments
or emotions whatever that shall distract
their attention for an instant from the
Judging of the relative importance and
value of news. its bearing on the policy
OF the paper. and things like space. in
'mnitives, headlines and such.
r But this night editor did have trou-
gnaws mems hearts out and puts the
gray in their hair and the wrinkles in
their faces. His wife. the sweetheart of
MS youth, the idol OF all his years, had
aeft him. Others whispered to him that
she had gone with a handsomer man, bur
he never took the pains to find out. The
great tragic fact that came to him al
once was that she cared for him no long
ser and had left him.
After his sorrow a deep resentment
came 10 him. He had given to her the
best he had. All his devotion had been
hers and all his loyalty, and all his
reverence. He had worked hard and been
generous. She had wanted for nothing
And now he was left alone with his
memory-and moreover disgraced and
humiliated. He had gone on with his
work in a mechanical sort of way. but
his heart was not there. It no longer
matters whether the Japs sank one or Is
russian fleets or who was nominated for
congress in the Fighty-seVenth district
or who won yesterdays ball game. or
IF Lon Dillon's record was broken al
Buffalo. Still he did the things neces-
.sary to be done in the regular way and
the paper looked all right
On this night the work had been more
arduous than usual and this last batch
of proofs gave him a sense of relief rath-
er stronger than ordinarily. Suddenly
his eve caught a headline over two
sticksfull Of type. In the headline was
ire name OF his wife-her maiden name
Grace Hopewell. One rapid glance
familiarized him with the story which
was as follows:
"A woman giving the name of Grace
Hopewen attempted to commit suicide
yesterday evening at 364 Blank street
by shutting the doors and windows of
her room and turning on the gas. An
other roomer noticed the smell of gas
ana an investigation was made The
woman was found to be alive, but a very
Few moments more would have proved
Iatal, the physician states She was
removed to the county hospital. where
she recovered consciousness. She seems
utterly Indifferent to her rescue and
states she will be successful in her next
attempt. Her antecedents are shrouded
IN mystery. She will not speak of them
and the people at 364 Blank street state
tnat she came there a week age. having
one weeks rent in advance. She made
no acquaintance and rebuffed all ad
Tances- She seemed entirely destitute
OF money, as none was found in her
room or on her person. The case is in
teresting in that the woman's clothipg.
appearance and conversation all ,ndi-
cate that she is Of the better class. She
Is not at all known to the police. who
suspect there is more OF a tragedy in this
case than appears on the surface The
name she gives does not appear in the
city directory"
the night editor stared al the proof
%lth unseeina eyes while memory re-