The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1918-02-16

W nav 49, aNNASA W
the group of men, slipped to the other
side of the hedge.
II know you are very busy" she
said. She realized at ono that the
man knew who she was and guessed
her errand. But then most servants
of the large establishments did know
her and-perhaps because Of the "bum
theater tickets"-rather liked her. She
had never, that she remembered, had
any direct transaction with this one.
rs there anything doing here7 I'm
looking for a scoop for the News
World-you know, something that
none of the other papers have. How
have your drinks been sellingT
The barkeep smiled knowingly and
said: "Yes, madam" and "Pl see,
madam" Then, cogitating for a mo-
ment, ~ don't believe as 'ow the
colonel wanted 1t to be published but
the men here ~patronizing this bar-all
strictly soft drinks, mind you-have
pledged two million dollars among
them to build a big American hospital
In France. It's rather interesting as
'ow it is 'appened at a dry bar with
all such men as ]. p. Astorbilt and
Lancaster Stevens a standing out and
shivering here wei their lemon pop.
It's almost pathetic, Miss, isn't itF"
Clarice's eyes showed right away
that she scented the germ for a SEN
sational story. The amount of money
alone was enough to put 1t on the
first page-and then the grim humor
of the chilly arbor and the lemon pop
would add the touch of local color. Il
could give you all the names Of the
men as are a-doin' it." suggested the
barkeep gravely.
A shadow of doubt came over Mar
garet's face, and she fumbled the small
sheets in the palm of her hand. But
If Colonel Drew isn't ready to have 1t
announced2" she faltered. 81 don't
think 1 could use 1t unless he con-
sented."
The barkeep watched her narrowly.
Perhaps as 'ow 1 could get is on
sent" he said. 81 didn't think a re-
porter Of the News World would hest
tate just or account @ not getting
consent. It's gratifyin' now and then
to find a paper that has such consid-
Grafton"
1.-THE News World is that kind of
paper" said Clarice solemnly.
So it was arranged between Clarice
and the barkeep that she should re-
turn at the breakup Of the bazaar and
in the meantime he would see whether
or not the colonel would consent to
giving the news. She returned and
received a favorable verdict which sent
the color to her cheeks and the spar
kle Of success to her pretty eyes. She
asked the barkeep whether she could
have the big sign with the facetious
list Of drinks. She thought their ar
fist could copy it for a cut to go witt
the story and because 1t a too IN
wieldy, the barkeep thought, for he
, to carry back to the Office in the stree
, car he arranged with one of the chauf
feurs to let him take out n of tn
, cars In which t. motor her back t
town. Yes, he, the barkeep-a butte
=. in the house-knew how to manage
car, and when Clariee vas quite SUR
that Colonel Drew wouldn't mind hav
. ing him take the car she consented t
go with him. To refuse might have
hurt his feelings and after all why
should she-poor, ill-paid society re
porter that She was-be too proud Il
sit beside a butler of the establish
ment of Col. James Drew She sin
cerely hoped that non of the approx
ing dowagers would see her thus con
Quoting herself.
The barkeep helped her out of tn,
car and gave her the poster. And a
: he left her at the curbstone there wa
: a look-an eager, wistful look as sh'
, thanked him for his kindness to her
that made her feel that after all socia
: distinctions were an absurdity. Afte
a all, thought she, as she was trying t
collect her ideas to write the articl
. that was to scoop the other papers an
, make for herself a name on the New
World--why shouldn't she like a but
ler-it was a dogs life being q report
er. She was sick of the noises Of tn
E office. She wondered whether butler
e who had wives were permitted I
q have them live with them on the e:
I tate. Perhaps they had snug littl
C cottages. She had heard that Colont
Drew was very generous. OF one thin
e she was quite sure and that was tina
the butler would not forget her."
a $50 you got a good story, hey?" tn
t city editor asked her. II know by you
expression. You look so happy abou
: it. How dye do 1T"
"Back-door method Of course" n
s torted Clarice, as she arranged tn
paper in her typewriter.
: It was two months later and ther
n had beer great excitement in the ofic
d of the News World. The paper ha
e been bought by Col. James Drew
consummation which had been d.
I voutly wished by the editors for som