River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1907-07-25

But | can't make him talk" inter
rupted Ruth
"Can't-how do you know you can't?
It'll take some diplomacy, for he's a
sharp fellow; but think you can man
age it. If he wins his point without a
strike, the roads going to give him
an assistant SUPPLEMENTARY; if he
doesn't, out he goes. They figure, il
he's good enough to beat them, he's
good enough to beat some other road
for business"
"But, butts it necessary to give
his name in the story? Can't get it
and hold him safe?"
well, I'd be sorry 10 lose him a
job but that's not our lookout. Write
it up as coming simply from one of the
men; he'll have to run chances on be-
ing found out afterwards"
'I'm-Im afraid | can't get it for
you; can't you send someone else
down here?" Ruth was making last
despairing effort to avoid the dilemma
before her.
Miss Barclay"-and there was
note in his voice she had not heard
before-"this is up to you. There are
dozens of more difficult stories ahead.
of you. If you can't get them, there
are others who can" Pausing mo-
ment to give the threat of dismissal
it's full weight, he continued more
lightly: "But | know it's all right.
Put the ginger into it. Don't use the
xuin hn ricic G
some days off yet, l believe. Stick a
special delivery stamp on the story,
and mail it to me. You understand?
Make good lively reading out of it
and say, get Carletons picture. Good
by"
Ruth walked homeward, sOrely puZ-
zled. Regard for Carleton and news
paper instinct, the nose for news"
were at war. What should she do
pump Carleton. use the story, and take
the chances of his discovery and dis
missal, or warn him to be careful, re-
sign her place and hunt another among
the rivals of the Planet? Both
courses were distasteful-the first, be-
cause OF her friendship for Johnny;
the last, because Of loyalty to the
paper which she had served faithfully
for three years.
The habit of obedience to others,
and the newspaper instinct that sensed
good copy" drove her-even while
she hated herself-to draw Carleton
out that afternoon, while they were
alone together at her home. Ruth
and the impending strike shared all
his waking thoughts. 1t was not hard
to lead the conversation to strikes in
general and railroad strikes in partic-
ular. Then Ruth saw him hesitate. 1t
was only for breath; confidence in
her overcame natural caution, and he
told all-of the twelve hundred oper-
ators waiting only on his word to walk
out; of the railroads crafty attempts
to outwit him and his own anxious eff
forts to meet move with move on the
chessboard of diplomacy. eve didn't
ask much,' he concluded, while her
brain, Selling upon the facts and fig
ures, stored them away for the dra-
matte story which was already taking
form; 1--WE only demand what the Cen
trail. the B. e o., the Lake Shore and
the other big systems are paying their
men. We have been conceded every
thing else, but a straight raise of SIS
a month rather sticks in their crop.
Well, it'll soon be over; I expect a
message with their decision any time"
Carleton suddenly realized that he
had been talking very freely for half
an hour. "Of course, you won't print
all this I've been telling you. If you
do, I'll lose my job
And if / don't" she burst out, mis-
erably, 'I'll lose mine!" Then she
buried her face in her hands.
Johnny understood instantly; he
had been trapped, tricked into an in
terview which might cost everything,
even the interests of the hundreds
who relied upon him. For moment
he was furiously angry. Then the
girls naive reply and her evident dis
tress touched him, and he forgot her
treachery in a wave of pity He
crossed the room aAd laid his hand on
the bowed head.
Ruth" he said, softly. GIVE another
job to offer you. 1t isn't as good,
know-to share only $50 month and
act as housekeeper for me; but a
whole lot of love goes with it.
She raised her eyes for moment;
the pink came and went in her pretty
cheeks. The silent glance was
enough. With a little murmur of joy, |
Carleton stretched out his arms
The front gate clicked, there were
rapid footsteps on the walk, and the
screen door of the parlor was I'M
tremendously thrown open. 1t was
the day operator of the New York &
Western, his face aglow.
Murray, Johnny, a message for you.
She's wont" He thrust an oblong ship
of paper into CarletCn's hand.
Il know it," said Carleton, happily.
GIVE inst had a meSSage-a WirelesSi"