New Britain herald., 1925-12-24

down in her desk
 Barbara threw her head back. "I don't want to see Mr. Manners. happen to know too well that he cant be seen. Hut I do want to scr MT, Stone or Mir. Reynolds"
 The woman seemed surprised tt her sharp retort. "Mr stone Is in his private office" she said and MT. Reynolds is also out of town - not expected back until tonight" She turned to her work with an air of dismissal.
 Barbara went through the office 10 Stones private room. He w&S q little bald man with childish eyes and q pathetic mouth.
 When Barbara entered the otiic' he started up and gave her trou- bled look.
 Yes" he said, in answer to h"t Introduction of herself, "I saw you in the office today regret that Mir. Manners Is not here to tell you what you want to know"
 "Mr, Manners would not be likely 10 tell me if he were here" romarli- ed Barbara coolly. The man sWul- lowed with an effort.
 What do you mcan?"
 Just this she repliad "l Sn" Manners leave this building by the fire escape not ten minutes after your office girl had told me he was oT I1 h., bound limited and l think there's something wrong. The bank tells me he's just closed his account"
 Stone turned gray. He swallowed several times before he could speak. Now, Miss Hawley let; not b. nasty. Great harm can be done by jumping at conclusions in a time like this. For Gods sake, Miss Iiaw- ley. give us a chance. It's civic matter.
 And If the public loses faith in this company thousands oe dollars will be lost. If the papers will only help us, we'll pull through all right and explain everything"
 The Telegraph will not be too anxious to help you flim-flam the public" said Barbara slowly. "lts time this thing cams out. If you want to make a statement as to N nncrs' procedure, all right. Other | wise. we'll have to 90 ahead" Stones face worked. He put his head down on his arms and begar to cry. Barbara saw that there was 10 use in waiting. She left the Of flee.
 "On what train do you expect MT. Rcynolds?" she asked the wo- man in the outer room.
 "On the eight o'clock from the est" replied the woman. | Barbara hurried back to the Tee graph office. and into McDermott's private room.
 Look here, Miss Hawley," h9 said. "We've got this story scwed up. I think. And were not entirely sure of the facts yet. I've decided to hold | off until tomorrow morning and extra early. to catch the crowds on their way to work. You've done your share. Now you can go home"
 To his geat surprise, instead Of going, Barbara sat down opposite him and began to cry. 1 Mcpermott laid down his pipe nervouslv. He looked about for help. Seeing none, he said to her, Look | here. Miss Hawley. You're wearing out under this life. Whatre you going to do about 1t: You're a darn good neWspaper woman. but damn ed If I don't hate to see you give way as you are doing lately.
 Why don't you get married?'
 Barbara only sobbed the harder.
 There, I didn't mean that imper- tinently. But sometimes ] wonder how on earth you happen to be in this game. l know you're not the kind of woman who'd want to marry just to stop working. But why kill yourself in newspaper iob?"
 You see I'm talking like your fathers friend, now, not like your boss."
 Barbara was crying harder than ever. Bruce Reynolds will believe that I've ruined him." she choked.
 (To Be ContinucO |