The new South-news., 1909-02-20
THE
SCOOP

A career or a hushand-it was an
enormous question for such a slim
slip OF girl 20 answer. hu, she had
already decided II a fun two hours
ago. and was now only amusing her
self by playing the arguments on eth.
er against each other. 20 see how Nor
ton would win every time.
Kate Trent. this ycllow-haired. I'm.
pulsive maid. was only a sophomore in
great Western university. and far
too young 10 be choosing either hus.
band or career. but. having no mother
or other living relative. aside from
chemistry cngrossed father. an under
professor In the science department
had taught her knowledge beyond her
years.
How well she remembered, during
her freshman year. the first little sto-
ries she had contributed anonymously
10 the various college publications;
her Joy n, srcing her own fancics in
print, then her boldor ventures In the
city papers. tin. at the beginning Of
this year. she had been asked TO write
daily column under the monde.
plume OF Violet" for the Herald. She
made no oonndants. and no one sus-
pccted her as being the author Of those
witty college notes
Just before Christmas began 10 MP
pear sketches of much the same char
acter In a big rival daily. the Tribune.
under the name Mac. Then such
competition as there was between the
two unknown correspondents for
news, Kate didn't know the sex Of
her opponent but every indication led
her 10 believe 1t was a girl.
These minor triumphs had led her
TO think seriously Of taking up jour
nalism as profession.
But the advent OF Morton Cramer, n
tall senior. soon after the winter holi-
days had changed all this. Though
she would not own n openly, there
was a new ruler who had no tantallz-
Ing dimplos and wore no frills. but she
knew he was king. she was now no
more than subject and. after the man
ner Of all That's feminine. having
found her master. she proceeded 10
worship.
She had not even mentioned the
subject OF journalism while with Nor.
ton. for fear Of betraying herself.
knowing. instinctivcly, that he would
be disploased. so had kept her two alb
sorbing interests wholly separate, but
this afternoon circumstances had
drawn them together and one must
triumph.
The noon mail had brought letter
Offering Morton a fine Government po-
sitjon In Manila. which must be filled
Immediately after commencement, on
ly month away. 1t was an uacx-
pccted turn OF affairs, and made Kate
catch her breath quickly She had
never thought that life would be sep
arated from Morton. but his next state
ment WAS a much greater surprise.
Il will get a license and tomorrow
afternoon we will drive over TO Pres
ton. where | have friend who will
marry us and ask no questions"
Marry us," Kate gasped.
why. yes; is it anything unusual
for lovers to be marricd7 That will
give you month to get ready to 20
away"
Your father would refuse TO let you
leave college before you graduate II
you wait TO ask hl3. and In his way
he can't help IT"
When bis plans had been carefully
demonstrated to her, Kate had finally
agreed and was now waiting in frem-
bic OF excitement for the morrow. Her
father. always 40 busy with his re-
searches that she hardly knew him.
had gone out of the city for few
days. so there could be no stumbling
block in the way. and tomorrow she
was to be Mort's wife.
She felt that she could not sIeep.
but In spite OF her excitement was be-
ginning TO dozc, when. suddenly. she
seemed TO hear newsboys calling.
''Special. Special, Ki,He Trent. only
daughter OF Professor Trent. married
secretly to Morton cramer'"
In an instant she was thoroughly
awake again. Wouldn't THAT make a
great SCOOP Why couldn't ghe write
It up, sign 1t Violet" and II anyone
suspected who she was that would
surely throw him on the track ain.
In the morning she wrote out her
story that 1t might be sent In az soon
AZ she returned from Preston. leaving
. space at the end for any little Incl.
dent Of the journey. II she was ex-
cited at knowing this was her wedding
day, she was d,ubly 30 at he i6ea Of
her triumph over her opponent.
Although she went 1, no classes the
Gay passed veT7 quietly. They drove
t. Preston and xittie Trent came back
Kitty Cramer.
II was Just drSk when they returned.
end Morton weAt to bis own hcme.
promising 70 come back later in tho
evening Lon alone. she began To
81 veasy. - eurled upoa the window
eeof ~ . ~. Just 1orfy v1sks. -