The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1912-03-23

son?
Il will not print the stuff" she
cried.
Then came another question
If you do not print it, will not
Burns call you to court and force you
to take the stand and speak the con-
demning truth, in the presence of the
guilty man, his son, and the morbid
public?
And, beneath both questions, this:
Does not your honor as woman
and a journalist prompt you to tell
the truth always and everywhere, and
expose wrong-doers, no matter who
they are?
i. Nan faced the questions many
times. She answered no; she an
swered yes; she wavered between the
two; then threw all decision aside,
and faced the questions over again.
Shortly before l a. m, she sat down
at her table and began to write. The
pencil longed to balk, but she forced
it on Four pages done, she put them
by, took up her pen and wrote to Don.
Dear DOM
Il have just written the story. 1t
would not stay unwritten. l have
told it briefly and without undue SEN
sation, but / have told the whole
truth.
"Of course, it will become known
that am the nameless reporter who
overheard your fathers talk with
Burns.
Therefore, l free you from all
promises to me. In the face of the
facts which my story will doubtless
give in the noon Mirror, you surely
would not care to remain bound to
me!
Always lovingly yours,
MAN K. WELLS"
Griggs, the managing editor, was
busy in his private Office when Nan
walked into the main Office, the next
morning.
There's an. excited guy in there
with him!" whispered Jimmie, the
copy-boy.
Nan paid no attention to the warn
ing. She pushed the door open and
stepped in.
THE excited guy was Burns. His
presence did not surprise her.
Good morning, Miss Wells" said
Griggs, looking at her over his
glasses. 1--WE were talking of you.
Mr. Burns tells me-
Pardon me,-but he doesn't need
to tell you anything more!" broke in
Nan. Here's the story he's so
anxious about
"Ah!" exclaimed Burns, as Nan
placed her copy on the desk.
Griggs stared.
"It's-it's-all ready for print?' he
stammered.
YES. But, Mr. Griggs, will you do
me small favor?"
:, you've held this story back pretty
long, Miss Wells. But think under
stand the reason, and-yes, I'll try
to do you any reasonable favor
THANK you. It is this. Please
don't use my name or make any illu-
sion to me, in connection with this
story about Mr.. Morse!"
Griggs grinned.
Il can't promise that he said.
Its rather too good! It's rather too
good, the fact that our society re-
porter landed the facts which will
down old Morse! 1t adds spice to
the story, you know"
He laughed, and winked at Burns.
That's your opinion!" muttered
you, Mr.. Griggs. I suppose you have
considered how painful it all must be
to your faithful worker, Mr.. Morse
Junior. It doesn't strike me that
there's anything in the story to grin
about"
The managing editor flushed up.
"Of course, it is hard for Don," he
} admitted, "but that doesn't lessen my
natural pleasure in seeing a wicked
man exposed"
Certainly it Doesn't" agreed
Burns, hungrily cycling Mans brief
, story.
: There was sound of rapid foot
steps; the door opened, and Donald
Morse stepped in.
He was very pale, but at the sight
of Nan a wave of red surged over his
handsome face.
: ut hasn't gone to press, has it
Griggs?" he asked, in sharp, excited
tones. Don't look surprised!
know all about it-knew it before
you did. What l want to find out is
this-has the story gone to press?"
Not just yet" answered Griggs
reaching for the copy.
MOI cried Nan, quickly Selling
/ the papers. Here it ISL