The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1905-04-20
A Reporters EQSIeT.


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The bells were ringing Easter evening
10 summon the faithful 10 last service
when sch entered the Office. She wouli
much rather have been az one Of the
numerous services to which the chimes
called attention. but in her way lay
duty, aud, moreover. she must live.
IL woman has any latent intuition IL
cannot help being developed In a news
paper Office. There. where a fallen dy.
nasty or floor or a suicide means, first
Of all, so many "stickfuls" Of description.
written in a limited number Of minutes,
one doesn't find time TO arrive at conclu.
slons logically and In order. But Miss
Quinley was quick-witted anyway. and
when she opened the door Of the report
ers' room that sparkling morning and
pressed In against the blast Of hot,
smoky air that seemed glad OF a chance
10 escape, IL became instantly plain 10
her that something unusually important
had happened. A man In nis shirt sleeves,
who was busily engaged In believing
directions down a tube, looked up rs
she entered and nodded.
Big hotel explosion" he volunteered.
laconically.
The girl swung open the gate and
walked directly over 10 the city editors
ONCE. which was little more than n pen.
made By partitioning of one corner
She was young and rather pretty. and
her face had a firm. decided look as II
she were living definitely and with a
purpose. Hemans, the city editor. glanc-
ed Rt her over his shoulder as she cast
a shadow on his paper. but still kept on
writing.
Good evening. Miss Qulnley." he said.
In tho sharp, irritable tone Of person
whose already tense nerves had received
another twist.
Presently, Nhrn he had finished look.
Ing over HIS assignment book, he turned
TO Miss Quinley.
There's plenty Of work 20 be done."
he said, sco' *. This explosion
changes the whole night. | must put
the men right into IL. II you were a
man now-but I don't see anything you
would want 10 do"
1t isn't a question 81 whether / want
TO do IL or not" replied the girl. draw.
ing herself up with some spirit. EFT Is n
question Of whether can do Il or not"
assignment slips doubifully.
"You might so down 90 the hospital
and get n story about the wounded: Il
won't be very pleasant, though he said,
tentatively.
Young Mason, who by reason Of his
youth and a certain ingenuousness Of
manner. was the most profitable Of all
the reporters 10 sead among women. folk.
camo In at that instant and caught the
last remark.
81 wouldn't go. Mis-, oinlcy: those
poor wretches won't be- a good sight" no
advised her. boldly. They were the best
Of friends.
"Why, somebody must do H." she said.
"and don't suppose man would bear
Il much better"
Hemans made q gesture implying that
this discussion was out OF place.
Have your copy here by IL o'clock"
he said, cutting them short with a swift
return Of his old sharpness.
Half past twelve had come and most
Of the men had gone out 20 lunch. He.
mans trampcd up and down between the
double row Of empty desks and consult.
ed his watch every few minutes 10 the
Immediate confusion Of Dicky Mason.
1.-TWO men late" the editor burst
forth, feycrishly, "aud Miss Qulnley-
heaven knows where. Do you suppose
abe has forgotten all about the paper
and gone OF TO start subscription list
for the sufferers. or faintel. or lost her
wayf suppose she has. los, her way"
Hemans went back into his Once and
attacked a pile Of proof for the sole
purpose Of getting his mind focused.
By aud by the men began % struggle In,
and kept him occupied until quite late:
then he doomed up In the doorway once
more and beckoned to Dicky Mason.
II wish, II you can be spared. that you
would 20 over u the hospital and look
mp Miss Quinley." ne said. II don't feel
quite comfortable abou, her not coming
back"
Dicky began 60 get Into his street
coat with an expression Of peace ON his
face and vengeance In his heart, But
as he dawdlcd hunting for n match,
there was a little rush In the hall and
Miss Quinlcy came in almost running.
She went straight NJ 20 the city editor
and stopped in front Of him. Her eyes
wero dark and her face chalky white. IL
was evident that she was laboriug under
the strongest excitement.
Mr.. HemAns, ! must see you. must
Sec you alone" she said. ngitatedly.
HemanS stepped back aud allowed her
20 pass into the Office before him: there
was q door. She motioned to him to
shut L.
What ] am going 10 say belongs only
20 you" she explained.
Hemans seated himself and made
plsy &C sorting some papera IL was