Alma record., 1918-12-26

With the intultlve knowledge 80 her
disinciinatlon TO draw any nearer 10
the group OF men. slipped to the other
side of the hedge.
Il know you are very busy" she
said. She realized at once that the
man knew who she was and guessed
her erranA But then most servants
OF the large establishments did know
her snd-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 herer I'm
locking for scoop for the News
Worid-you know. something that
none Of the other papers have. How
have your drinks been seliingr
The barkeep smiled knowingly ssd
said: Yes. madam" and "ru sec.
madam" Then, cogitatiag fss . ne
neat. IL don't believe a. 'sw the
essooS wanted IL to be published but
the Dee here patronising this sar-all
strictly ssft drinks. nind yoa-havs
pledged two million dollars among
them TO build 4 big American hospital
In France. It's rather Interesting rs
'ov IL 10 'appensd at q dry bar With
all such men az J. r. Astorbilt and
Lancaster Stevens q standing out and
shivsing here over their lemon pop.
It's almost pathetic. Miss. isn't itr'
Clnrice's eyes showed right away
that she scented the germ for n SEN
sstional story. The amount Of money
alone was enough to put u on the
first pags-and then the grim humov
OF the chilly nrbor and the lemon pop
would add the touch Of local color. II
could give you all the names OF the
men as are a-doin' It," suggested tie
bsrkeep grsvely.
A shadow OF doubt came over Mar
garst-s fass, and she nunbled the email
sheets II the palm o. her hand. Bot
II Celsesl Drew tsnt rsaly TO have II
announcelr" she faltsrsd. IL doA't
think could use Il ualess he cor
sented.~
The bsrhsep watched her aarrsvtv.
Perhaps n 'sw couid get - csa-
sent he aid. II didn't think . re-
porter Of the News World would hest
tsts tust on account . not getting
coassat It's grstifyia' new and then
70 nsd q paper that has such coasid-
sration."
The News World Is that kind OF
paper" said Carics solemnly.
so IL was arranged between Clarice
and the bsrkeep that she should re
turn at the break- k-up of the bazaar and
In the meantime he would see whether
or not the colonel would consent TO
giving the news. SAe returned and
received a favorable verdict which sat
the color 10 her cheeks and the spar
kle OF success 60 her pretty eyes. She
asked the barkeep whether she could
have the big sign with the faceuous
list OF drinks. She thought their ar
list could copy II for a cut to 20 with
the story and because 10 was too un-
wieldy the barkeep thought. for her
10 carry back TO the once In the street
car he arranged with one Of the chauf-
feurs to let him hke out one OF tho
cars In which to motor her back to
town. Yes, he. the barkeep-s butler
In the house-knew how TO manage q
car, and when Clarice was quite sure
that Colonel Drew wouldn't mind hsv-
ing him take the car she consented 10
20 with him. To refuse might have
hurt his feelings and after all why
should she poor. ill-peid society re-
porter that she was-be too proud 10
sit beside Q butler OF the establish
ment of Col James Drewt She sim
cerely hoped that none OF the approx
ing dowagers would see her thus con-
Quoting herself.
The bsrkeep helped her out Of the
car and gave her the poster. Aud as
he left her at the curbstone there was
a look--an eager wistful look as she
thanked him for his kindness to her
that made her feel that after all social
distinctions were an absur1ity. After
all. thought she, as she was trying 70
collect her ideas 10 write the article
that was to scoop the other papers and
make for herself name on the News
World-why shouldn't she like but
ler-lt was a dogs life being a report
er. She was sick of the noises OF the
ofice. she wondered whether buffers
who had wives were permitted td
have them live with them on the es-
tate. Perhaps they had snug little
cottages. She had heard that Colonel
Drew was very generous. or one thing
She was quite sure and that was that
the butler would not forget her"
$50 you got u good story, hey7" the
city editor asked her. II know by your
expression. You look so happy about
il. How dye do IT."
Back door method OF course, re-
torted Claree. as she arranged the
paper in her typewriter.
II was two months later and there
had been great excitement in the Office
OF the News World The paper had
been bought by Col. .Hmes Drew-a
/ contamination which had been de-
youtly wished by the editors for some
time. A new society reporter had
come and the city editor was giving
her instructions.
'Tn general. I'D say the bsck-doo'
method il the best" he said But
don't know. Our last society reporter
went right to headquarters. That's
how she met Colonel Drew and made
him fall in love with her. She told
me at the time barkeep gave her
her story Of the big bazaar. but bless