Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1919-07-04

CAAJ NA~t ~
charming Miss Barlow, "but 1 would
even marry him if necessary. Father
says he's. rather a splendid chap"
"And you want me to introduce you
is that it," murmured Alicia.
Exactly" laughed Miss Barlow.
So it was that within two weeks the
entire staff was ION, "and when Rhodes
entered the editorial Office he would
be greeted with cheers and loud laugh.
ter. "And how" someone would ask
solicitously, SIS the charming heiress
resting tOday?" or Love me, Webbie
and the world is yours % or "Noah, old
rooster hold out for a stiff dowry-
and don't forget your honest debts,
boy ;" or "Webbie, dear, marriage is
q hard life"
But Webster Rhodes only grinned
good naturally and went on his way
usually with the fascinating Miss Bar
low. She 'phoned him, she noted him,
she called for him in her racing car
They drove together, lunched togeth-
er, and he was entertained at the Bar
low mansion whenever it was possible
for him to be there.
Week after week of this followed,
and Alicia stuck to her job with de-
iant eyes and tight-pressed lips.
Whenever she saw Rhodes he seemed
just the same as always, but she sell
dom saw him now. He was ambitious
she knew that. Money, social posi-
ton, a beautiful wife-all these things
had been held out to him and he had
fallen for them!
The election drew nearer and nearer,
till it was but five days off-then four.
The tension was growing every hour.
1t drew her back to her desk that night
after dinner on the p%retense of a press
of work, but she did nothing but sit
there and wait-she knew not for
what. Eight o'clock came-nine-she
opened her door and looked out into
the big editorial room. She saw
Rhodes enter, and noted that he looked
tired and unkempt. The city editor
leaped up at the sight of Rhodes and
went forward to meet him. They talk
ed earnestly for a moment as they
walked owe to Rhodes desk. The city
editor was jubilant about something
for, as Web slumped down into his
chair, his boss slammed him on the
back and laughed e~ncouragingly be-
fore turning back to his own work,
while Web himself sprawled before his
desk and put a fresh roll Of copy pa
per into his machine.
Puzzled, Alicia shut her door and
waited another hour, then looked out
again where Webster Rhodes sat alter
nately g%lowering at his copy and writ
ing in spasmodic ,spurts of energy.
Finally he glanced up and saw her
standing there. He beckoned and she
crossed the roo to stand by his side.
"Stick around a while longer, Alicia"
he grinned up at her, "if you want to
see the fun"
That was all. He did not loc'- at
her again but went driving alone
story. And Alicia 'Stuck arc
one 6cTocK IN the morning, v AZ ia III
ster Rhodes finished his worn W.. a
sigh and sought her where she sat with
her head in her arms on her desk.
She jumped nervously as she heard
the door shut behind him. The drone
of the heavy presses that Jared the
building had almost lulled her to sleep.
Look" he said, spreading a damp
copy of the morning edition before her.
And there across the front page was
his scoop story of the Barlow election
scandal. He had just that moment
finished his follow-up story which
would be printed in a later edition. In
getting together his material and in
making his Investigations he hadn't
slept for two days, and Alicia looked
up into bis tired eyes contritely.
IL thought you had-had fallen
for Amy Barlow-and her-her
scheme" she murmured.
"Who? Me? Not on your life" he
said, picking up her hat and jamming
1T down e her pretty nose. "Come
on, let's eat, I'm hungryw
A tear slid down from one of Alicia's
downcast eyes.
"And when I'm hungry" he chuck
led, as he gathered her into his arms.
II always want my dessert first. Two
scoops in one day is not so bad" he
added, after the editor of the Woman's
Page had been efficiently although not
sufficiently kissed.