The Vinita daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1913, 1907-08-03

see the chairman OF the telegraphers
executive committee and get the whole
story out Of him; he's right at Lake
Leven. Names Carleton; do you know
him? Oh, you do; good. Well, pumI
him, and don't put him next to youl
business. Both sides intend to fight
this thing out on the quiet. unless the
strikes actually declared. He'll prob
ably lose his job for talking"
But | can't make him talx!" inter
rupted Ruth.
"Can't-how do you know you can't !?
ltll take some diplomacy, for he's a
sharp fellow; but | think you can man.
age it. II he wins his point without a
strike, the roads going to give him
an assistant superintendency If he
doesn't out he goes. They figure, II
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 1t
and hold him safer"
Well I'd be sorry to lose him
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 a last
/ despairlng effort to avoid the dilemma
before her.
Miss Barclay" there was a
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 a mo-
ment to give the threat of dismissal
Its full weight, he continued more
lightly: But | know it's all right
Put the ginger into it. Don't use the
wire; there's no rush, as the crisis is
some days off yet, | 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 Careton's 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 I
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 a breath; confidence in
her oyercame 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 ef-
forts to meet move with move on the
of diplomacy. I'VE didn't
ask much" he concluded, while her
brain, seizing upon the facts and fig
ures. stored them away for the dra-
matte story which was already taking
iorm; I'VE only demand what the Gen.
.ral. the B. & o., the Lake Shore and
he other big systems are paying their
men. We have been conceded every
hing else, but a straight raise of SIS
| month rather sticks in their crop.
Well, it'll soon be over; | expect
Message with their decision any time"
Carleton suddenly realized that he
lad been talking very freely for half
in hour "Of course, you won't print
ii this I've been telling you. II you
10, I'll lose my job"
"And if I don't" she burst out, mis-
rably, Ill lose mine" Then she
uried her face in her hands
Johnny understood instantly; he
ad been trapped. tricked into an in
erview which might cost everything,
ven the interests Of the hundreds
Tho relied upon him. For a moment
e was furiously angry. Then the
iris naive reply and her evident dis
ress touched him. and he forgot her
in a wave of pity. He
rossed the room and laid his hand on 6
he bowed head.
Ruth" he said. softly. I've another
)b to offer you It isn't as good, /
now-to share only $50 a month and
ct as housekeeper for me; but a :
hole lot Of love goes with it"
She raised her eyes for a moment;
ie pink came and went in her pretty "
leeks. The silent glance was
lough. With a little murmur OF Joy,
arleton stretched out his arms &
The front gate clicked. there were 7
lpid footsteps on the walk. and the