New Britain herald., 1925-12-26

Barbara tore the paper open. Black scare headlines told the story: Millions lost in Vale Acres | Manners skips town with entire bank account of firm. Hundreds of local people hit"
 Barbara turned faint. She leaned against the door q moment, and hand pressed against her forehead. At , last she went into the house and up the stairs, What was the extra. Barbara" ! called her mother as she passed through the hall.
 Just some big business story, mother"
 Barbara reached the Telegraph office an hour late, How come, Bar hara?" asked Bob. Seems 10 me you're ncglecting your precious Kay rcer,' He stopped at sight Of her face.
 Wells looked up. Miss Hawley," he cried testify Where on earth have you been? It's almost eight thirty. Young Reynolds was expect cd in the eight o'clock train, and I wanted to send you to meet him and get statement. You're the only one that knows his story all the way through"
 He was running through pile of clippings and did not see Barbara's white face. Dash over to the Pro- fessional Building at once and see if you can catch young Reynolds. Get some kind of statement. By God, if he won't talk, he's apt to be sorry before he's through" "I will ask for a statement, Mir. Wells, but l won't do more than ASK"
 She flung back her head and walked away, Wells stared after her. his pipe sagging between his lips "Cussed little wild cat" he groWlcd under his breath. Bob Jef- fries heard him and bit his lips. Barbara left the Telegraph office. As the elevator door closed on her McDermott came out of his office. Where did you send Miss HaWley?" he asked the city editor.
 "OVer to get a statement from young Reynolds" replied Wells. chewing his cigar and thumbing a telephone directory. She was late this morning all the days in the world"
 McDermott paused by the city desk. Be a little careful. Wells" he said. That girls finer timber than most that we get in this office. She'll break one day and we'll be out a damn good reporter" He strodo back to his office. Bob Jeffries buried his face in his paper. He was smiling broadly. In the Professional Building Bar bara found herself in a crowd that stormed the elevator. Men were ges- ticulating and women were talking in high pitched voices. When the car reached the floor on which the Manners, Stone and Reynolds office was located. the crowd poured out. Barbara was thrust forward against her will.
 Men were blocking the door of the suite, Barbara pushed through the throng and set out for @ rear door. which opened around the corner. Her heart was pounding and her head felt giddy.
 The door opened in front of her and Bruce came out. He was bare headed and walked as though un- conscious where he was Barbara saw q ruffled lock of hair standing up on his head. She gave q little gasp and ran toward him.
 Bruce did not seem to see her.
 CHAPTER xxx
 Barbara stood in front of him, but he only looked down. His hands were thrust deep in his pockets and his shoulders slumped.
 She stared at him with large, frightened eyes for several minutes.
 At length he started and raised his eyes 10 her face. His brows drew together as if he were trying to rec ognize her. He said nothing,
 Bruce" she whispered at last. At the word, he drew back. In ah in stant he had turned abruptly and gone back into the office, closing the door in her face.
 Barbara almost staggered as she turned away. In the front hall, the crowd had disappeared. She opened the door of the Manners, Stone and Reynolds company and found a throng inside.
 The bald little MT. Stone was standing on a desk trying to talk. Above the cxclamations Of the crowd his thin voice could be heard only occasionally. New, gentlemen" he was saying, over and over Now, gentlemen"
 Barbara pushed through to the front row. Stone recognized her. He { leaped from the desk and seized her wrist. Come into my office, :" he whispered. T want to talk to you"
 The crowd saw Its prey escaping and made a move to block his way but Stone and Barbara were too quick for them. They were in his private office and the door was shut.
 Look here. Miss Hawley." he stammered. don't blame me for not talking last night. You know how these things are. An ounce of pub licity will destroy what chances there are of recovery. still think wed have come through if the damn press had let us alone, beg your pardon, but I sometimes swear when I am excited"
 He looked so mild and his protan- ity was so different that Barbara al- most smiled in the midst of agony.
 You see, Reynolds and l never smelled a mouse till two days ago. Reynolds went to Chicago to try to get loan to help out. Manners must have guessed we were, on to him and decided to skip before Rey- holds got back. I'll swear we never thought he'd do 1t. In fact, we had the goods on him SO straight I