Middletown transcript., 1905-09-30

Massey?'
| shook my head. I was trying to get
calm-calm as statuesque Miss Chipchase.
| for instance, who was coming toward us
on Senator Newberry's arm. But really,
I was intoxicated with success-and Ted 8
| praise.
II don't believe you," he said, getting
in front of me as | nodded over at them
both. Mary Chipchase was the heroine
of one OF my biggest stories. Besides,
you've got to look at NEEDN'T waste
smiles on politicians they're VIGOROUSLY
ungrateful. Rhoda, when are you going
to give up newspaper work r.
"Never. Fancy me with nothing doing
day after day and year after year; with
nothing to find out and nothing to crow
over! | just couldn't! The old habit
would come strong upon me at the first
temptation and, like well-trained fire
horse, I'd run away from home at the
signal Of a story. No-I'm afraid to try"
81 say, Rhoda" was bending down
now and there was something shining in
Ted Thompson's eyes that I'd never seen
there before. "Try, do-do try. Let's
try together. I'll accept McCabe's offer
and reform and be solid, substantial,
stiff old desk man. I'll get in and write
the things I've only talked about hither-
to. I'll basely undermine McCabe, if you
say SO, and take his job away from him.
I'll set the bay afire Tll-oh, Rhoda, I'll
worship you all my life, sweetheart, if
you'll only let yourself care for me !"
''It's-it's the gown" l stammered,
"Ted, and the music and the flowers.
You-you wouldn't have said-all this if
you had seen me an hour ago."
He looked at me quickly.
"What are you up to? Oh, what do |
care What do | care! You haven't
said no. Glory, halleiujah, Rhoda Mas
sey, you haven't said it /! And you would
have said it quick enough if"
"Miss Massey''-it was Newberry's
voice-"what's this latest sensation that's
been wired up from the city? Are you
going to keep us stirred up with daily
bombshel r. He was smiling delight
eddy. Il thought you two we're deadly
rivals. What are YOU plotting together?''
he added. looking at Ted, while Mary
Chipchase and | renewed acquaintance.
"Oh, that's all done" There was a
break in Ted's voice that melted the very
heart within me. (Oh, it's wonderful
that a man can care SO much for girl, as
wonderfully glorious as it is to be the
girl y "We're all in the same family
now" lie went on merrily. I've gone
then, tearing it across with deliberation,
let it fall into the basket at his feet.
And this very afternoon, within an
hour, Benson would have just such an
other page Of hooks and curves which,
transcribed, instead Of revealing the re-
marks Of one Rhoda Massey, would show
the cost price Of legislators as set down
BY Boss Bassett, an expert in buying and
selling.
] And when that slim little page Of hier-
ogIyphics should be transcribed where
would it 60?
Into the waste paper basket, after being
torn across in that methodical, deliberate
manner from which systematic little BEN
son never departed.
But really, really, that narrow page
torn in half would not yet have outliyed
all its usefulness To any other short
hand man it would reveal the same abb
sorbingly interesting exposure that had
startled Newberry and Thorp, and would
startle the members vi HE Commission
this very afternoon.
The sessions were over at four. By
| that time had hired stenographer.
You're to have your typewriter in my
room and be ready to transcribe another
mans notes." | told him, ''frum six in
the evening till two in the morning. Ii