American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1919-01-17

mined that II the paper could be made
entirely wonan-run, the achievement
would be 70 novel that the Banner
would Immediately become q paper of
q nationwide distinction. FemInists
would be eager for II. II would be
watched and quoted. and even joked
about, but all that would help the cir
cuIation and the advertising. II Mr..
Fordyce looked favorably on the prop
%osition. would he please discharge the
managing editorf
The young m who was now the
city editor was really qualified for the
Job. The few remaining males who
now worked as office boys and ship
ping clerks could be easily replaced by
women and a new era would open for
the Banner-the Banner would become
famous the world over as o paper run
entirely by m
Bennett Stokes read the letter twice,
then he looked intently at the begrimed
ceiling of his Office and lighted his
pipe. Then he laughed a little grimly,
replaced the letter In It's torn envelope.
put II In his pocket and stepped quiet
ly to the door. opened II and looked
first to the left then to the right. At
the right he encountered the eyes OF
Olive Claggett standing a few feet
away.
II couldn't help but see.'' she said.
"Mr. Stokes. l didn't believe you were
capable OF doing such q thing"
Then with a sudden -courageousness
Beanett blocked the passage as Olive
tried TO force her way by.
GOOD night" she said. II hope when
you are quite through with Mr.. For
dyce's letter you will forward 1t TO
him." BY this time Bennett had two
strong hands on Olives wrists and was
guiding her In spite Of herself into the
room. He closed the door behind them
and ordered her rather than asked her
to take q chair.
I'm not going to discuss the letter
now" he said. 1.-THE ideas n good one,
but I'm thinking about something else.
Ever since you've been here, Miss Clag-
gett, you have avoided me and have
made me feel that you bore me a
grudge-nnd the funny thing is that
I've been %curiously drawn to you. It's
one OF those things that a man can't
h%elp-ihat sort of ioreordaIned witch
cry of one woman I'm not blaming
you-heaven knows you have fought
against exerting II II you ever We're
aware that you had II. I'm simply nsk-
lrx 40 t.Ii rae tha fAr xta.,r
antlpathy."
"But II wasn't my idea to ask for
your resignation" Olive said. In spite
OF herself she felt hot tears yelling
into her eyes. II shall miss you very
very much-more than you can pos.
sibly know. l wrote the letter because
l was delegated to do so, and l knew
Imy duty wns first by the Banner. Be
sides, there are bigger things for yor
to do" And then the business mana
ger broke down completely, and, bury
Ing her fnce first on the side of Ben
nett's desk and then. ms be gently
raised Il N the rough exterior OF the
shoulder OF the editorial Office coat. sh'
said exactly what she had determined
never 10 a~dmlt-that she herself fel
a strange and compelling attraction 4
Bennett.
"And when that sort of attraction 4
mutual there is only one thing to do
Bennett was saying, "There Is M
longer any question as to the success
of the marriage"
There was a knock on the edltorin
door and the voice Of the city editor
suggested as Benefits successor. calle,
In impatient syilables: solve,
thought you were coming"
Olive quickly rose to go, with Il lool
OF a guilty schoolgirl.
"But what shall l tell them-abou
Mr.. Fordyce and the letter."
"oh, they might as well know" h
said. "Im Mr.. Fordyce. Running small
town papers Is a foolish fad of mine
Yes, tell them they can have II ant
good luck to them-but they mus
name a new business manager"