The Ronan pioneer. [volume] (Ronan, Mont.) 1910-1970, 1914-06-19
Hartley's
Caller
TIE Meeting Brought Matters
to a Crisis.
BY COLIN S. COLLINS,
Observation-Disclosures.

erence that he showed only to Hartley
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 a slip of paper and it would
SHOW" Such small fry as editors
and star reporters We're not at all In
the same class with Il man who carried
passes in his pocket every day.
'I've told you Il hundred times to
get the name. Jmmie,' was the testy
response. Hartley was i'll ut ease with
the whole world that morning.
IL know" admitted Jimmie, with I'M
embarrassed truthfulness. but. say
MIR. Hartley, she's Il peacherino for
fair"
lin not interested in fruit" was the
cold response as Hartley turned to his
desk He hated all women ut the mo-
nent. for he had had to do Il thing
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 felt 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 a pippin
for fuir''
Il can't see any one who does not
send in a card" declared Hartley as
he turned to his work again, and jim
mic dashed out presently to return
with bit of pasteboard.
With Il start Hartley read Norma's
name and gave orders that she be
ushered in. 1t was better perhaps that
since there was to be Il quarrel they
should meet on his own ground.
Somehow. with the familiar surround.
ings he felt more safe than he ever
could in the pnrlor of the little actress
suit at the hotel. With Il sternness
that indiiferenly masked the misery
that he felt he prepared to receive his
caller
He had expected that she would como
StOrming in to uenounce him for his
criticism and to declare him biased and
unfair.
He was brnced for the shock and i'll
prepared for the sight of the detected
little woman who came tmdIy into
In Al .;,.h
n strange contrast to the bare walls
and cheap furniture.
Jimmie slipped away after one last
glance, and then the girl rails
ed her eyes to IIartIey's and met the
pity in his hrnvey.
II did hot come TO reproacll You for
your notice." she said. with II quick
appreciation of his attitude 1T was
your right to say what yon pleased. !
paid Il big price for the special per
furmnncc in order to get the metro
pOlit;,n notices, and in doing SO | rX
posed myself to every form of critical
attack.
IL suppose that YOU are expected to
be severe ON beginners. to riniculr |
them and beat them down and force
hem into their proper places.
"iou demand that we start at the
bottom. | can see HoW that ii WAS alb
sur,l TO think that | could win favor
lblr comment from the great men who
have mnIc their reputation more
through tie SHNagcnrSs Of their at
al,
rifles"
"And yet YOU said you had not come
o r,proarh:" he asked gently. Even
n her bitterness lie noticed Il new
!otr in tn" rich voice. 1t hurt him to
hinh that he WAS in part responsible
or that little catch Of pain which
would sound. try as She would to be
ia"d and cAnirnI
1t WAS rs il her whole uuvrrin"
oul was laid bare in spite Of Inc dress
" words with which SHE sought t.
10th" it.
IL did not mean to say that she
lird. II only meant to come ana ask
'ou ii You would lot me have my pho
o|raphS tack. - Nnll and til" rest OF
our coltrrreS have beaten me. | nEl
n retreat. | am going us far from
Sew York MS | can. | want to take
With me everything that is mine
"Yuu should have sent your agent
nd spared YOURSELF, ne reminded her
,enlly. II Will see that the pictures
re- found for You. VIII YOU sit
own"
He Indicated II chair MS he rang for
boy. and presently Jimmie went
way with Instructions that Miss
Irnting' photographs were to he rr
lrned by the art depart nrnt 1T once,
Neither spoke until the boy had laid
he package down and had departed
~ the uiter office Then Hartley rose ,
nd placed them on the chair beside ,
or.
"Thrre ii another one she said UNI
ertaiulV "tIp one that | gave Won