Clearwater Republican. [volume] (Orofino, Idaho) 1912-1922, 1919-03-07
Discharging
The Editor
By UNA BARLOWE
Copyright, 1918, by Mcclure Newspaper
Syndcate.)

Syndlcate)
1t was the third time within two
days that Olive Claggett had called in
the office of Bennett Stokes, the man
aging editor, and she was well aware
that her resulting feeling of embar-
rassment vas caused by something
more thar The fact tha~ she had come
on an errand, the desired result of
which would be most uDfavorabe to
Bennett Stokes.
The Something more" Olive had felt
always when in Benefits presence
from the first day she met him. 1t was
this that made her on all occasions go
out of her way to avoid him. For Olive
Claggett convinced herself that she
had not the slightest desire to fall UNI
der 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 imperiled by
any such distractions. But now she
had come entirely in the interests of
the Banner-she had been delegated to
go by those who she felt had the inter
ests of the Banner most at heart.
She had asked for an interview with
Mr.. Fordyce, the owner of the Banner.
But he was away.
you told me, you know, that you
would be able to tell me something
definite by this time" Olive said with
distinctness, trying to avoid the smile
that crept into Benefits gray eyes. "If
to- tn hn 7
find it worth while to go to him. You
ought at least to tell me where he is to
be found"
"Yes, quite So" unused Bennett, turn
ing over with a tinge Of embarrassment
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 fellow. Hasn't per-
sonaly visited the office for I'm sure
don't know how long. Suppose you
write letter to him and I'll see that
1t gets to him."
Stokes had already made this sug-
gestion, which had met with Olives
disapproval, but the matter was impor-
tant. The entire success of the Banner
depended on laying her proposition be.
fore Mr.. Fordyce without delay so with
an expression that made it quite ap-
parent to Bennett that she held him
personally responsible for the inacces
sibilty of their chief she withdrew
promising to have the letter ready be
fore the evening was over.
1t was a harder letter to write thar
even Olive had anticipated but as bust
ness manager of a morning paper she
had no pressing duties at that time
and while the editorial force and com
positors and pressmen were working
under the grim concentration necessar.
to get even so unpretentious a pape
out as the Morning Banner, she wa
rather deliberately composing the i'm
portant letter.
She waited until the paper was wei
in the hands of the composing room
before she again sought Mr. Stokes il
his Office. She had thought twice be
fore she had sealed the envelope-an,
then she had sealed IL.
After all, there was no reason VIII
she should leave it open, she was ask
ing Stokes no personal favor in seem
that 1t was addressed and If he di
read it-but something assured he
that Mr.. Stokes was too honorable 70
that
"WOn't you wait just two or tire
minutes-till l get my desk cleared
he said as she turned to leave tn
room. II wish might walk home wit
you. 1t Is rather late"
"Thank you, no." Olive said in spit
of desire that was strong within he
II am going with one Of the girls-w
are quite used to it, you know"
Bennett waited only till Olive ha
got halfway down the corridor; the
he arose quietly, pushed the door shu
returned to his desk and deliberat,
ly broke open the sealed flap of tn
letter to Mr.. FOrdyce.
The proposition was clearly put.
was not olives proposition, but on
that had been formulated by the entir
staff of the Banner, save, of cours
Mr.. Stokes, who had always failed I
attend the weekly meetings Of the pc
sonnet of the paper. Now. as every OF
knew the Morning Banner had bee
especially hard hit by the draft.
Composed as 1t was almost entircl
of young college graduates, who sougl
this way to receive their newspaper n
premiership, II dozen or so of the mo-
active men in editorial and husinc'
departments had gone off with the fir
call Results would have been dire 1
deed had II not been for the won,
who pluckily filled In the places high,
up, calling other women to take the
recently abandoned subordinate place
Olive herself had been right-har
'man" to the business manager. b
when he enlisted she shifted into h
swivel chair and had worked wi
cagcrness and complete devotion f,
the Banner. The editorial staff hi
been so hard hit that no one remain,
but Mr.. Stokes; all his reporters M
assistants were women.
The constant going Off of men
the composing room and preSSroo