The Spectator., 1916-03-10
BRONCO BILL
By JANE OSBORN.

ed III HIS own once by Miss West, the society editor, who wore a trou- bled expression
 He answered her good morning with something that sounded very much like bears growl. What right have you to look grouchy?" he asked. You're young and healthy and all you have to do is to draw your salary You don't have to take any risks. You don't have to worry, you don't have the gout or rheumatism. Whats the matter now?"
 ""Only that have to have a new as- sistant."
 Another bear growl. What did you do with the last one? Wasn't she good enough for you? See here, young lady, l cant spend all my time get ting you assistants. Is it my fault they quit?"
 She got married-that's what they all do. And it puts me in an awful fix. There are two charity balls to cover tonight, coming out party ev. cry day next week and three the dan- sants,' besides all sorts of smaller af- fairs. What I wanted to ask you, Mir. Heppleton, if whether you think it would be a good idea for me to have a young man. You see the girls are not reliable. They are so likely to get married"
 No reason why they should" Mir. Heppleton growled You don't get married, do you?" And then. more gruffly still: And you are a pesky lot prettier than any of the assistants. You don't get married-you stick to your job. Whats the matter with the girls nowadays? Don't they appreci- ate a good job? Haven't they any brains at all?"
 May l have a man reporter?' Mar garet persisted. T know other socie- ty editors always have girls, but a man you can be severe with, you can ask him to work late every night in the week and you can boss him around without having to be afraid of offend ing him. And when a man gets mar ried he just has to work all the hard CT"
 Good idea! Now get out and let me alone. I'll send to the city desk right away and have q cub sent to you at once"
 Please be sure that the cub has evening clothes," said Margaret, leav- ing.
 Old Heppleton was still growing whom Bronco Bill strode leisurely and with perfect assurance into the office. But the uncle did not at first recog- nize in the tall. lanky, broad-shoul- dered figure, still clad in the soft shirt and soft hat of the Texas ranch CT. his nephew. William Heppleton.
 Good mornin', Uncle Pete," quoth the nephew. seating himself unbidden astride the only vacant chair in the room. T dare say you are some sur prised to see me- He put out a large tanned hand and vigorously shook the hand that the Incle extend ed rather gingerly.
 Well, I'm here for a job. That's about the size of it. Oh. yes, ranchin's all right but it gets lonesome. durned
 
 and his wife-it isn't half bad when a fellows got wife and a brood O young ones-and ! came East. Now I'm countin' on gettin' into this news paper game. What sort of job have you got to offer me?"
 There isn't blessed thing" re- piled the uncle. He rather liked the young mans breezy manner and would have helped him if he could have done so to his own advantage. No, there isn't a thing, though there may be later"
 Then suppose I'd better be goin, . replied the nephew. No, thanks, I'm not strapped by long shot. Good morning." And he held his hand out again. But the uncle did not shake it.. The telephone bell at the side of his desk had been jingling, and instead he took of the receiver.
 'Yes, yes," he growled. T know. haven't forgotten. m try to get you man. This afternoon sure. l am not sure the city clerk can spare one. but I'll tell the city editor when he comes in to dig up green one that you can break in.' And then he banged the receiver down. His nephew had taken his seat again.
 "Well?" he queried. There's one Of your men wantin' someone. Whats the matter with me? I'm green enough, ain't I?"
 The uncle knit his brow for about a minute. Yes, you're green enough and then some" he said, and for a mo- ment his grumpiness was lost in the suggestion of smile. Report to room i55 and tell the party sent you that you're the man. And as soon as you get chance go and get .dolled out the way they tell you to. That cowboy makeup won't do, you know"
 It was half an hour later and Bron- co Bill was sitting at Margaret Vests side. and Margaret West was laughing. ssWaIl why don't I dO9 Ain't I green