The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1918-11-22

Newspaper Syudtcate.)
TT was the third time within two days
that Olive Claggett had called IN the
4o6ice of Bennett Stokes, the manag-
4nT editor, and she was well aware that
IA resulting feeling Of enbaErass-
1neut was caused by something more
than the fact that she had come on an
errand, the desired result OF which
would be most unfayorable to Bennett
Stokes.
The something more" Olive had
felt always when in Benefits pres
4nce from the first day she met him
Il was this that made her on all oc-
sEasfons go out Of her way to avoid
him. For Olive CIaggett convinced her
self that she had not the slightest
desire to faIl under the sway OF such
fascination as Bennett might exert
over her.
Her newly acquired job as business
manager OF the Morning Banner" was
far too important to be fmpertled by
any such distractions. But now she
Fad come entirely in the Interests OF
the "Banner'-she had been delegated
to 20 BY those who she felt had the
interests of the Banner" most at
heart
She had asked for an interview
with Mr.. Fordyce, the owner OF tbs
Banner" But he was away.
'sYou told me, you know, that you
would be able TO tell me something
definite by this time" Olive said with
dfstinctness, trying to avoid the smile
that crept into Benefits gray eyes.
''H he IS not in town and won't be. I
win md It worth while to go to him.
You ought at least tell me where he
IS to be found"
eyes. quite So" unused Bennett.
turning over with q tinGe Of embar-
rassment some manuscript that lay
half read on his editorial desk. THAT
would at least seem fair-but the fact
Is that Fordyce IS an odd sort OF fell
low. Hasn't personally visited the Of
nee for I'm sure don't know how long.
Suppose you write letter to him and
III sec that It gets to him"
Stokes had already made this sug
geStfon, which had met with Olives
dfsappproval, but the matter was i'm
portant. The entire success OF the
Banner" depended on laying her
proposition before Mr.. Fordyce with
out delay. so with an expression that
made It quite apparent to Bennett that
she held him personally responsible
for the fnaccessibility OF their chief
She withdrew, promising to leave the
letter ready before the evening was
over.
It was harder letter to write than
even Olive had anticipated, but as bus
mess manager Of morning paper she
had no pressing duties at that time,
and, while the editorial force and COM
posttors and pressmen were working
P1pfF
sary to get even so unpretentious pa.
per out as the Morning Banner" She
was rather deliberately composing the
important letter.
She waited until the paper was well
In the hands OF the composing room
before she again sought Mr.. Stokes
In his o6ice. She had thought twice
before she had sealed the envelope
and then she had sealed It.
AFTER AL there was no reason why
sna should leave It open, she was ask.
ING Stokes no personal favor In seeing
Etnat It was addressed and II he did
N[ead t-but something assured her
that. '-'-' -N-
Wont you wait Just two or three
minuteS-till get my desk cleared
he said as she turned to leave
the room. II wish might walk home
With you. It 10 rather late"
Thank you, no. Olive said in spfte
g desire that was strong within her
am going with one Of the gtrls-we
eEe quite used to 1t, you know"
5enett waited only till Olive had got
nsn way down the corridor: then he
SEose quietly. pushed the door part to.
returned to his desk and dOliberatelV
osoSen open the sealed nap OF the let.
ter to Mr.. Fordyce.
The proposition was clAarlv mt r.
vas not Olives proposition, but one
mat had been Formulated by the en-.
tiEe star Of the Banner" save, OF
course, Mr.. Stokes, who had alVaI1s
49ded to attend the weekly meetIn1e
OF the personnel Of the paper. No91
e every one knew, the Morning pan.
1ee had been especially hard hit bv
GompoSod aS It was almost entiralv
q young college graduates, who 1onrb+
SnaS way 20 receive their uewspaner
9Qro1deoSh4p, z dozen or 30 a. fbo
most aet4Vo men IN editorial and hr9J.
ness Departments, had gone or with
ne aFSt call. Results would have
oeep dire indeed had It not been fo~
ae women who plucldly filed IN the
-SC2 a4SaeF mp. calling other women
. SeEe tneir recently abandoned SUB
Olive herself had been riSht1ana
man" 70 the business raanaTer M
when he enlisted she shifted INTO he
swivel chair and had worked with a.
geEness and complete devotion for the
annner. The editorial star ma
been 50 hard hit that no one remained
put MI. Stokes; Ill his reporters 1nd
assistants were women.
the constant going on OF men IN the
composing room and pEessrooua suE-
8ested getttnB women In to do the
work. Il had been tiled successfully
y another paper. In fact Olive told
-. EoFdyee IN the letter that she had /
111yesaea1ed THIS and would guarantee /