Clearwater Republican. [volume] (Orofino, Idaho) 1912-1922, 1919-03-07

mined that If the paper could be made
entirely woman-run, the achievement
would be so novel that the Banner
would Immediately become Il paper of
nationwide distinction. FeminSts
would be eager for it, it would be
watched and quoted, and even jOked
about. but all that would help tie cir
cuation and the advertising. If Mr..
Fordyce looked favorahly on the prop
osition, would he please discharge the
managing editor?
The young woman 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 tor
the Banner--the Banner would become
famous the world over as a paper run
entirely by women.
Bennett Stokes read the letter twice,
then he looked intently at the begrimcd
ceiling of his office and lighted his
pipe. Then he laughed a little grimly,
put 1t in his pocket and stepped quiet
ly to the door, opened it and looked
first to the left then to the right. At
the right he encountered the eyes of
Olive Claggett standing few feet
away.
Il couldn't help but see," she said.
Mr.. Stokes, | didn't believe you We're
| on aIl 10 ,f
Then with sudden courageousness
Bennett blocked the passage as Olive
tried to force her way by.
Good night" she said. 81 hope when
you are quite through with Mr.. For
dyce's letter you will forward it 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 a chair.
"Pm not going to discuss the letter
now" he said. "The IDEAS a 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 q
grudge-and the funny thing is that
I've been curiously drawn to you. It's
one of those things that a man cant
help-that sort Of foreordained witch
cry Of one woman. I'm not blaming
you-heaven knows you have fought
against exerting it if you ever Were
aware that you had 1t. Pm simply ask
ing you to tell me the cause for YOU
antipathy."
But it wasn't my idea to ask fol
your resignation" Olive said. In spit,
Of herself she felt hot tears yelling
into her eyes. 81 shall miss you very
very much-more than you can pos
sibly know. | wrote the letter becaus,
| was delegated to do so, and | knew
my duty was first by the Banner. Be
sides, there are bigger things for YOU
to do" And then the business mana
ger broke down completely, and, bury
ing her face first on the side of Ben
nett's desk and then, as he gentl
raised it on the rough exterior of TIL
shoulder of the editorial Office coat, sh
said exactly what she had determine
: never to admit-that she herself fel
strange and compelling attraction t
Bennett.
;, "And when that sort of attraction
. mutual there is only one thing to do,
Bennett was saying. "There is II
longer any question as to the success
+, of the marriage"
:, There was knock on the editorii
. door and the voice of the city edito
suggested as Benefits successor, Gale
\ in impatient sylables: "Olive,
thought you were coming"
i, Olive quickly rose to go, with loo
OF a guilty schoolgirl.
. But what shall l tell them-abou
= Mr.. Fordyce and the letter."
: "Oh, they might as well know" b
=. said. I'm Mr.. Fordyce. Running sma
town papers is foolish fad of min
Yes, tell them they can have 1t IN
~ good luck to them-but they mu
name a new business manager"