The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1917-04-19
|k|LL|Ne The Love Stuff
BY OLIVE ROBERTS BARTON.

roaring of so typewriters and the
shrilling of the telephones. A fiction
editor under such circumstances is
likely to get stalled on romance.
"Love. love, love, it's always love-"
she declared with disgust. Il get SO
sick of this everlasting stuff! 1 think
Ill scream If someone isn't murdered
soon or the hero doesn't die before his
time. But have to throw them out If
they're not dripping with love for
that's what the public demands.
No one heard these sentiments for
the roaring and shrilling went On un.
ceasingly, drowning almost every other
sound. Even BrilleS, the hartl-hearted
managing editor on the other side of
the big room was adding to the pandc.
monium by forcibly calling down Il cub
for missing big thing he was sent to
cover the night before.
81 think" she unused, as she nut on
her hat and jacket and hooked up her
furs, "that 1 can't accept any more
stories from Trcudor Nane. The slush
is getting so thick 1 can't wade
through. Sometime I'll put it up to
Brillcs. He's about as romantic and
unhcn.la5le as plate-glass window,
but not" she glanced over at him quiz.
zically, $50 transparent. A regular
sphinx, should say"
She reached the street, a narrow
canyon between the high cliffs Of build.
ings. She was greatly surprised
that the cold, driZzling rain that was
falling ut aoon had stopped and that
tho thermometer had not only fallen
% degrees, but that wind, biting and
strong. was tearing down the street
and freezing everything as it went.
Pedestrians were cropping their way
along, keeping close to the wall for
safety, but it was hazardous business.
Sylvia watched a moment from the
haven of the vestibule. She had three
squares to go for her car. Then she
had 81 happy thought. Up in the locker.
room she had a pair IF skates.
When she went through the big
room Brilles WAS still ut his desk
Brilles, the Aintlike, the hcartlcss, the
mucll-to-be-feared.
Sylvia stopped beside him. He
turned in his swivel chair and regard.
ed her silently. running his eyes oves
her slim, girlish figure in it's brown
Jersey suit. soft furs ard little nat
under which her face glowcd like o
rose.
what is it?" he asked cutie gently.
II want to ask you if you 1oH't think
| we're running too much sentiment in
the story column. I've been keeping
everything with love in it, ard return.
ing hundreds of ripping coed stories
Just because the hero forget to kiss his
! girl or the parson refused to marry the
old maid. thought I'd ask your Opin.
ion. How would it 10 to run in nm
| occasional good one on another themci
All this love stuff is just dream"
as it?"
"Ycs-you know it as we'll as I do
But the public is queer. They're
crazy about one Treador Vane. per.
sonally wouldn't give his truck room
In the ash barrel"
Brillcs tapped his desk minute
thoughtfully. Look here. Miss Hun.
ter, you're here to run that column,
so do as you please about it. I've read
| that Vanc stuff myself anG I'm sure ]
agree with you. You're right about
the love business. too. Even the girls
nowadays don't know what it means.
Business or something has taken all
the romance out of them. You're u
good example yourself"
Sylvia started and remembered her
own summing up of the managing edi-
tor. Certainly the verdict was mutual.
ITS bad night and I'm getting my
skates" she said as she left. I'm go.
Ing to skate to the car on the pave.
ment."
But as she gl,lcd over the slippery
street she decided not to take the car.
Crossing IL street, Sylvia collided
with Il man. They went down togeth-
er in IL heap.
"NIiss Hunter!" cried he springing
up.
"AIr. Erjllcs," exclaimed Sylvia.
care you hurt!"
"Not bit"
But when Sylvia got to her feet
with his help she turned pale. II be.
lieve I've twisted my foot" she said.
"Ch, that's too lad! Can you beal
your weight on it ut all?"
eyes, if don't move it,"
"1'hen I'll tow you home. How fai
is it?'
'About four squares"
When they reached her door she In.
sisted that he come iE. "YGu haven't
had dinner, have your she asked.
no." he admitted.
"Then you must share ours" she in.
sisted.
So Brilles, the flinted-hearted,
stayed and spent the evening. The
next morning tine pretty editor laid a
page from u note book on his desk in
the Office. II found this On the iO0r!"
she smiled teasingly.
Mr.. Brilles took it and turned 9
u,,ilfv rod II was q napo Of notes