Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1909-10-07
HARTLEY'S
CALLER.
- BY COLIN S. COLLINS. -
Copyrighted, 1903, by Associated
Literary Press.

| the dramatic critic, and Murphy, the
sporting editor. The sporting editor
could call all the baseball players by
their first names, but Hartley had only
to write on q slip Of paper and 1t
would take Jimmie into the much do
sired show" Such small fry AZ ed
itors and star reporters were not at
all In the same class with a man who
carried passes In his pocket every day.
'Tve told you a hundred times to
get the name, Jimmie" was the testy
response. Hartley was I'll at ease with
the whole world that morning.
81 know" admitted Jimmie, with
unembarrassed truthfulness, but, say,
Mr.. Hartley. she's a peacherino for
fair!'
I'm not interested I'm fruit" was the
cold response as Hartley turned to his
desk. He hated all women at the mo-
ment, for he had had to do a thing
which would probably cost him the
love OF the one woman he really did
care for.
He had had to tell the cruel truth
about Norma Heating as an actress,
and he fell that the high spirited girl
never would forgive him.
Jimmie, the persistent, hung over the
desk.
"She don't look like an actress" he
declared, using the argument he knew
to be most potent. AN she's pippin
for fairy"
81 can't see any one who does not
send in a card" declared Hartley as
he turned to his work again, and jim
mie dashed out presently to return
with bit of pasteboard.
| With a start Hartley read Norma's
name and gave orders that she be
ushered in. 1t was better perhaps
that since there was to be a quarrel
they should meet on his own ground.
Somehow, with the familiar sur
roundings, he felt more safe than he
ever could In the parlor Of the little
actress suit at the hotel. With a
sternness that indifferently masked the
misery that he felt he prepared to re-
ceive his caller.
He had expected that she would
come storming In to denounce him for
his criticism and to declare him biased
and unfair.
He was braced for the shock and
lily prepared for the sight Of the de-
! jected little woman who came timidly
into his dingy Office. her rich furs
forming strange contrast to the bare
walls and cheap furniture.
Jimmie slipped away after one last
admiring glance, and then the girl
raised her eyes to Hartley's and met
the pity In his bravely.
II did not come to reproach you for
your notice." she said, with a quick
appreciation of his attitude. 1T was
your right to say what you pleased.
paid big price for the special per-
Torrance In order to get the metro
politan notices. and In doing so 1 ex-
posed myself to every form of critical
attack.
II suppose that you are expected to
be severe on beginners, to ridicule
them and beat them down and force
them into their proper places.
You demand that we start at the
bottom. can see now that It was abb
surd to think that could win favor
able comment from the great men who
have made their reputation more
| through the savageness OF their at
tacks than through their ability az
critics.
"And yet you said you had not come
to reproachr be asked gently. Even
n her bitterness he noticed a new
note In the rich voice. It hurt him to
think that he was in part responsible
for that little catch Of pain which
would sourd. try az she would to be
hard and cynical.
II was AZ II her whole iquivering
soul was laid bare In spite OF the dress
Of words with which she sought to
eiothe Il.
Il did not mean to say that" she
cried. II only meant to come and ask
you II Won would let me have my pho
tographs back. You and the rest Of
your confreres have beaten me. I am
IN retreat. I am going a. far from
New York a. can. want to take
with me everything that Is mime"
s'You should have sent your agent
and spared yourself he reminded her
gently. II will see that the pictures
are found for you. WIN you cit
DOWN.
He indicated a chair AZ he rang for
q boy. and presently Jimmie went
away with instructions that Miss
Keating's photographs were to be re-
turned by the art department ut once.
Neither spoke until the boy had laid
the package down and had departed
for the outer Office. Then Hartley rose
and p3aced them ON the chair beside
her.
There is another one" she said un-
certainly. 'the one that I gave you.
May have II back, pleaseT
J III YOU WISH" he promised as he
| turned again to his desk to draw from
one Of the recesscs photograph with
flowing autograph across its face.
docs your anger 60 so deep that you
are unwilling to leave me even this
souvenir Of friendship that shall
always treasure IN my memory" ne
asked MAY not keep itY'
| ITO add to your sacrificial heap." uhe