The Denver star., 1918-07-13
|WHERE SHE FITTED
BY VINCENT q. PERRY.
1918, by the McSlul
per Syndicate.)

zeeasessesssesssesssssaessesse,
Copyright. 1918. by the Mcclure Newspa-
per Syndicate)
AS a reporter Martha Fiddas was q
failure; everyone admitted 1t. 1t was
doubtful If Martha believed herself of
much value on the Telegram stan.
Why she was kept there was more
than anyone was willing to say. but
some Of the boys hinted that 1t was be-
cause she was pretty and Phil Weekes.
the city editor. had weak spot In his
heart for all pretty girls.
Her good looks had not been the
only thing he had seen. She was So
ciable, had a winning personality and
was splendid conversationalist-
qualities that should have made sue
cessful reporter. The first week was
enough to show Phil that there were
many things Martha lacked that she
should also have had, but he hoped ex-
perience would develop them. After
the first month he gave up the idea OF
putting her on assignments that re-
Quired headwork. If there was a story
that required data Martha would be
sure to miss it; she never spelled
names correctly. always got numbers
and even the names Of streets wrong.
1t would have been easier for him II
the managing editor had relieved him
Of the unpleasant duty Of giving Mar
tina her notice-but just the same he
did 1t.
IF you don't get rid Of that girl and
get somebody you can depend upon in
her place. you are going to run up
against a tight place some time and
get yourself in wrong over it." one Of
the senior reporters remarked to Phil
one day.
"She's all right" Phil answered.
"She hasn't fitted In yet"
The tight place came sooner than
they expected it. A lot Of big things
loOmed up all at once and every man
on the staff was given night assign
ment. Phil left n convention meeting
for himself to cover. He was the last
to leave the repOrtorial room that
night and was just putting on his hat
when the telephone rang. 1t was the
managing editor.
"There Is a big meeting in Platts-
burg tonight to decide definitely on the
electric road. See that 1t Is covered"
he ordered.
Phil knew the importance Of the
story and decided he would have to go
to Plattsburg himself. The next car
left at eight o'clock. getting him there
barely In time for the meeting. That
wouldn't give him time to touch the
convention. He scanned his assign
ment book. There was no one else who
could cover 1t. Nothing could be neg
lected. How about Martha? He would
have to chance her, but he hated to
think Of the story she would turn in
the next day. Had she telephone3
She hadn't. She didn't seem to hnve
anything she should have had. he
thought angrily. She didn't room very
far away; he would have time to call
and tell her to cover the convention.
He could write ont a list of the things
for her to remember to take notes on
and perhaps she would get half de-
cent story for him to rewrite.
Martha looked her best when she
opened her door to his knock. Phil
couldn't refrain from standing back to
admire her. She looked lovely in q big
white apron and white cap.
"Come right in, PHIL" Martha in
vited, as she opened the door wide.
The room looked very inviting, so Phil
didn't refuse. After he had gone into
details of just what he wanted her to
do. and had her write them out, Phil
prepared to 60.
won't you stay and have tear
Martha asked. II have lovely supper
all ready-steak, fried onions. seal
loped potatoes, homemade tarts and
the best cup Of tea you ever tasted.
I'm dandy cook" Phil had been
using his nostrils for five minutes, and
when Martha enumerated the things
he had been smelling he couldn't 70
fuse her invitation.
II wouldn't have had time to 60
home for supper" he said. 30 he rat
down at the snowy white table. "but I
hate to be robbing you"
You are doing nothing Of the Sort
Martha smiled. II had supper pre-