The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1921-04-08

her boots-brand-new boots, they
were, too, of a very late and expensive
cut. Her very fetching hat, new. also,
and her hitherto unworn S. gloves
did not stiffen her backbone appre-
ciably. Yet to purchase them In honor
Of the occasion had well-nigh emptied
her pocketbOOk.
For this interview was tremen-
dously important to Jane. On 1t de-
pended her success as a newspaper
woman. The very instant she had
been given the assignment to inter-
view Morrison Phillips, lately re-
turned from frozen seas. she knew
that her opportunity had come. And
rumor had 1t that Phillips, possessed
OF shyness as colossal as his achieve
ments, was refusing to be interviewed.
Three reporters on the Telegram,
to which Jane had been for some
time ably contributing nuptial and
obituary write-ups, had tried to see
Phillips and failed. 1t would be
scoop for Jane as well as the Tele-
gram to accomplish the impossible.
Consequently Jane was trembling as
she felt her slim hand engulfed in mas
terful fingers and looked up into deep
set eyes placed far apart in wealth
cred face. Still, he was surprisingly
young and his youth gave her conf
dence.
Miss Spaulding Of the Telegram,
l believe. Sit down." His voice.
firm, strong, matched his face.
thought Jane as she sank into the
chair he drew out for her opposite
to his own, from which he had risen
at her entrance. "And shall I be-
gin how I was born In little shanty
OH the Missouri and pored over books
on arctic travel by the light of pine
knOts?" His voice held a smile and
Jane dimpled in response. He was
not in the least formidable.
mot yet" she answered. Then:
What struck you most forcibly on
your return to civilization" she asked
impulsively. after eight years away
from 1t ALL something undoubtedly
impressed you particularly"
Phillips ruminated. Then he spoke
with decision. 1.-THE racket; yes. the
Internal noise and turmoil -
Suddenly Phillips brought his gaze
back to the girl before him and
sudden inspiration seized him. He
had forgotten during his years Of ex-
lie how lovely woman could be I'M
til this slip of a girl had come to ques-
ton him.
promise me-" and there was q boy
ish impulslveness In his tone, "that
you will not publish a word until I
meanwhile to refuse all interviews.
Lunch with me tomorrow, and / will
answer any question you may ask"
Jane left him dazed. 1t was so much
less than she had hoped for-and so
much more! To become the recipi-
emf Of marketable information and
bound to withhold 1t indefinitely. Then
little flush Of happiness quickened
her heart. She was going to lunch with
him!
at the opera, during long drives about
the city; Phillips talked unrestralnedly
of his adventures, telling to one small
absorbed person all the little details
and big deeds that gaping public was
on tiptoe to hear-yet at the same
time Withholding just enough to whet
her curiosity and gain the promise of
one more little expedition.
Where was 1t good to end? Jane
had pIacated the editor with promises
Of ultimate success. hut she knew that
the time to strike was while the iron
was hot and that news deferred Is
stale.
At last she decided she could wait
no longer, She had promised Phillips
to dine with him. And over the small
solutely tiny in his powerful hands,
she explained the situation.
"I've got to be let Off from my prom
ise." she concluded. "If I fail In my
first big assignment my doom is sure.
Let me give you a write-up for the
morning edition7"
Phillips slowly tapped the ash from
his cigar, regarding her thoughtfully.
Then he folded his strong brown hands
and bent towards her. miss Spauld-
ing" he began, "there Is one thing
hate-and that is publicity.
"After my solitary years of exile
you came into my life, and i could
not give you up. am ashamed to
confess that l put you Off from day
to day out Of sheer desire for your
conpanionship-and now my day of
reckoning Is at hand. Write me up
as you wish. or else-marry me. and
learn 1t all at first hand. sail on
my second expedition month from
today"
For moment Jane sat as one
stunned. Marry this man whose
very name made men speak with en-
thuslasm Of his exploits Become the
comrade of his journeys into strange
lands Her heart beat faster as she
raised her eyes. And what she saw