The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-03-10
Melifa'S Last
Interview
BY JAMES r. SHELDON
Copyright. 1911. by Associated Literary Press


ful tone of one who has simply to
MED, but there isn't man free.
You know it's just out that young
James Floyd-James, whose uncle cut
him off without penny because he
wouldn't play the society game but
insisted on beginning at the bottom
and working his way up, has been
made general manager of the B. 7. &
s. Railway. Do you see?"
"Oh, come now" coaxed the manag-
ing editor. You're as shy as my
daughter Molly But told you; there s
not man free who could handle the
interview You know what | want.
You can do it. Go down and see the
man. Get good story. I'm no end
sorry to ask you. Miss Sill--but what
can ] do? Can't go myself, and cant
go to press without tho story"
Melita walked slowly back to her
own room. She would go. OF course,
There was nothing else to do when
the big managing editor said go"
But | just hate to interview peo-
PFC HiuilNINfA AtGlllci IL III lanes lllC
feel so-weli. so like the way used
to feel when l forgot my penny at
Sunday school or ate my soup with
the vrong spoon and then had to eat
my pudding with my soup spoon--iust
uncomfortable and out of it and hor-
rid oh, bother,"
Melita worked on the woman's page.
She liked the work, and she liked the
office. and she liked, above all, the
kind, fatherly managing editor. But
several times, in connection with her
work, she had gone to interview prom
inent women and. fortunately, as she
thought. she had made success Of
these interviews SO when the editor
was rushed with work and all the re-
porters were busy and there was a
special interview to be made. ! @ some
times called Melita to do it.
You make better thing of it than
those silly young subs, lie would say,
to pacify her
1t was painful tor Me,i;a to ask
anyone Tor Al iEtcl view. Il seemed to
her the height II imrcrt.ngncc for
her-ineXper need, plodding, little
Melita Sili-to dem nd OF Some leader
in the world Of suffrage the date of
her birth, and how she did her hair
or some leader in the world of poll
tics what he liked best to cat and
whether or not he had ever been in
love. And she would dig her nails
into her palms and hide behind the
elevator shaft sometimes for five min
utes before she could gain courage tc
open the forbidding door of the Office
of the great man or woman to be
talked to.
Worrying about the coming inter
view drove all tno'ghts of the pleas
use she had been looking forward t
having at the dinner party that nigh
from Melitas mind And it was
nervous and uncomfortable, though
determined young woman who, at
O'clock. walked into the Office of tn,
B. T. G. S Railway
I'm from the Morning Ledger,
said Melita sternly TO the Office boy
81 should like to see Mr. Floyd
James, If you please"
What for?" demanded the boy
ITO ask him for , '-atement 70
the Ledger"
We'll, | don't think he'll see you
but you can sit down If you like Will
tell him you're here"
Melita sank rigid On the neares
chair, and watched the boy disappea
n,lyl ID.
vate, General Manager"
won't see you" said the DO.
emerging from the same door a IN,
ment later.
Melita rose. Its very important
she said Please tell him So
mo use" said the boy. but wi
II you want"
He went again to the door and he
1t oren while he repeated Melita
message. She saw the back OF Ia
stopped figure seated before 4 hug
desk, piled with litter OF paper
books. maps and charts.
"She says" began VILLA
bravely.
Get out of here, William" can
the voice of the man at the desk pee
ishly
But she says
81 don't care what she says VOL
see the lady"
But" complained the boy, IS
won't CO. Whatll | tell herr"
Tell her the truth if you want
William" snapped the man. 1T
her that about nine billion reportt
have been here this morning; tell
that when | have got anything to s
that want the newspapers to say
me, I'll let them know; and tell !
that next to cornmeal mush the thi
most dislike in the world is an ar
CANT. overbearing. mannish won
that goes prying about where
isn't wanted. Get out and shut
door"
yes. sir" said the boy meek
closing the door. I'm sorry" he
gan. sheepishly turning to Melita
Good afternoon; please thank
gentleman for his kindness" S
Melita ici;y.
II was not very happy you
woman who hurried. little late,
the dinner party she had been look
forward to- In spite of new FRI
and the consciousness that it was v
becoming, Melita felt uncomfnrtal
She felt DISAPPOINTMENT at her fail
to turn in the desired interview to
mandeing editor; chagrin with her
for failing on an assignment. 3
most Of all, hurt az the treatment