The Democratic advocate., 1908-02-21
Seleft Storg.
Kitty Carton, Journalist.

"Men are all alike, said Kitty, indignant.
ly. "They seem to think our hearts are paper
valentines all lace and flagree and senti
ment-when in reality we're just as am
bilious as they are And Kitty paused
an instant to meet the look in Bruce Ray
burns eyes with defiant flash.
They were sitting on the window seat in
the drawing room of her little apartment.
1t was a warm night toward the first Of
November. Beneath them the city lay,
pricked with million lights; the night all
brought with it faint breath of earth and
leaves-the intangible fragrances of fall.
"You say woman is meant to love and
be loved" Kitty went on, "but that s only
one emotion. Isn't there room for ambit-
ion besides I've always detested thai
silly desert island ideal While as for
ambition--you don't know what my work
means to me; journalism is keeping youl
finger on the pulse of the world-being in
the whirl of events, and not just a mere
onlooker. 1t means being in touch with
humanity, the weakest as we'll as the strong
est. It's fighting to get your place-and
holding it once you get it 1t means work
ing side by side with people who have done
daring, clever things. Oh, | just love
the hurry and skury of some big night,
when the whole staff is working overtime,
from the city editor to the foreman The
very boys shouting 'Uxtra' along the street
thrill me to the core. And every window
ablaze with light, and messengers coming
and going, and your paper ahead of all the
others, and getting things frst-that' S
what my work means to me p And Kitty,
flushed and breathless, pushed her fair
hair out of her eyes and ended with a little
gasp of emotion.
Rayburn folded his arms and looked out
across the twinkling city.
$50 you re not going to give any thought
to-wnat did you call it'll 'lace paper
sentiment?' You re never going to have
any time for love-or lovers p
''Not till Iget what want, said Kitty.
"And what that?'
"a big scoop, " she answered ener-
getically.
"Suppose you don't getit?' hesuggest
ed.
"Oh, but | SHALL cried Kitty, with
that assurance which carried her through
everything and made her particularly
valuable to the staff Of the Daily Planet.
The woman's page was her special section,
and she herself was as chic and pretty as
the best of its fashion plates. Her crisp,
breezy style of writing appealed to the
public, especially the feminine public, which
turned eagerly to anything signed K. G.
But Kitty's ambition was not so easily
satisfied She longed to get an important
piece of news that no one else knew any
thing about; news that would fill several
columns of the Planet with graphic, start
ling stuff, and leave its readers agape fol-
more. Over and over again the thing
seemed near her grasp, then it eluded her.
"You're clever little woman, James
Bryce, the war correspondent, often remark
ed, "but there's one thing you haven
been able to attain.
"Just wait p Kitty would rejoin, and
inwardly determined to get scoop or die
in the attempt Yet, while she possessed
strong will, Rayburn was equally indom-
table. Kitty knew it the first day she
met him; read it in his vigorous handshake
and resolute gray eyes. Of late she had
begun to fancy that she read something
else there, too-so deep that she hardly
acknowledgedit it even to herself, for though
she cared for Rayburn she loved success
also and she did not want to give up her
work till she had achieved it.
II hope you'll have your hearts desire,
then, said Rayburn, as he rose to go, and
Kitty thought she detected note of irony
in his voice. When the door had closed on
him and Kitty had put out the liz ght and
gone into her little pink and blue dressing
room, Agnes Sheridan, who shared the
apartment, entered, candle in hand. 1t
was the hour for kimonos and condolences.
"My DEAR said Agnes, 81 couldn't t
help hearing part of.your conversation, and
I thought, Kit, that you were rather diff
cult--and hard y
Kitty faced around, brush in hand.
eff you want to side with Bruce
she began.
II don't want to side with anybody,
you dear, prickly chestnut burr. Bruce
is a splendid fellow, Kitty, and you know
it. And, though he SO much in demand,
he's glad to spend an evening here with
you
"Well, | like that T. calculated Kitty.
"With you, Agnes Sheridan went on,
calmly, Sin this stufy little apartment,
when he might be at dances or house parties
where dozens of women would be glad to have
the attentions you treat so cavalierly. You
know l love you and your happiness, Kit,
more than anything else in the world-and
as for Bruce Rayburn, I'm old enough to
be his maiden. aunt. It's true. You
needn't laugh He cares a great deal for
you, and l don't like to see him hurt.
''He WASH hurt.
"You weren' listening, or you d have
heard it in his voice
''Well, then, 1t serves MIN rlght, salo
Kitty, brushing vigorously; ''and | mean
what said. Until I've got my scoop l
won marry Bruce Rayburn-or any other
man.
"Has he asked your said Agnes, quiet
ly.
ssNo, but he will,' answered Kitty,
confidently.
There were times when her self-con-
fidence carried her too far, and this par
ticular evening had been one of them
Rayburn dropped from her ken as if by
magic. A week slipped past, and there
were no more roses or invitations to go
motoring or to the theatre, and Kitty was
thoroughly disturbed.
She wrote him penitent little note in
a big, splashing hand, and tore it up
moment afterward "Let him stay away
for all carep' she said to herself. She
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