New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1926-01-12

good to me.
But Mr.. Wells chose this morn
Ing of all mornings to practice his
sarcasm upon me. And it wasn't
good morning :. do it. That's all. |
came down late today, for only the
second time in the year | have been
here. meant TO come in and talk
to you about leaving. There are rea-
sons why I cannot be satisfied TO
spend another month in New Brit
ain.
But when ! got here, ! found
THIS" She pulled the gray envelope
out Of her pocket and tossed it on
his desk.
And then Mr.. Wells blew off; so
the whole affair was settled and
done with. quite easily" Barbara
shrugged her shoulders and turned
to the window.
McDermott picked up the envelope
and drew out the letter. His eyes
narrowed as he read it and he
glanced at Barbaras back once or
twice. Then he folded It up again
and put it in the envelope,
"Woll,' he said, 1T looks as If
matters had shaped themselves
pretty much. suppose your heart
is set on going?"
Barbaras eyes shone. "Of course
it is, I've been wanting a change of
scenery for weeks And the offer is
most attractive. 1t means Broad
way and Fifth avenue and the CEN
ter of things. 1t also means the last
of your very fine city editor!"
McDermott shook his head. I'm
sorry, Barbara, that you should have
left under unpleasant circumstances.
Wells Is a nervous dyspeptic, labor
ing under family troubles just now
that make him hardly accountable.
He knows your worth as a reporter,
and ] would wager that he Is re-
penting to the bottom of his heart
at this moment. But, of course. you
would want TO go anyway. So sup
pose we call 1t settled"
Barbara smiled at him. AN
right" she replied, but Mr.. Wells
is not the only one who has personal
troubles to mar his temper. Everyone
on his staff has them, too"
The excitement in her eyes rather
emphasized the circles about them
and the new lines around her
mouth. But he asked no questions.
Instead, he held out his hand.
Here's the best of luck. You've
been a good bet for the Telegraph.
Barbara"
There were tears in her eyes and
her lips were quivering. Thank
you," she said, and fled.
In the outer office, she was con-
scious that Wells eye followed her
anxiously. But he did not speak to
her again.
With a heart lighter than she had
known for many months, Barbara
went out of the office on her way to
the Burritt Hotel, where the retail
merchants were holding their an
nual convention.
A wire from the Footlights Maya
zine was on Barbara's desk when she
returned from the convention.
Can you come at once?" 1t said.
Barbara rang for a messenger and
sent the answer. will report Mon"
day." she said.
Barbara went through her desk
that afternoon. collecting her per-
sonal property from its drawers and
piling the other things in neat
groups on top. She asked the tele-
phone operator 10 call taxi for her.
You're not leaving, are you. Miss
Hawley7" asked the girl, cycling the
dismantled desk.
Yes" answered Barbara happily.
I'm going to New York. Byers
heard the reply and came hurrying
over. Are you really. Babs? Con
gratulations!"
ITS because you let me do some
of your play reviewing that the offer
Ndlllct eolu Ddl val a. et-A4AA az
mighty lucky"
Wells was passing. He paused for
fraction OF a second. as though 10
speak, but went on TO his desk.
A taxi driver stepped out of tn
elevator and the telephone operate
called Barbara BY this time grou'
had gathered about her desk, TO OF
fer congratulations and say good
by. She was tying her books an
papers with cord and talking excit
eddy.
Miss Badger paused TO speak 70
her. Isn't this rather sudden. Miss
Hawley? l noticed that you had
quite an argument with Mr.. Wells
this morning. but / didn't suppose
he would dare to do anything drastic,
on Mr.. McDermott's account"
Barbara smiled provokingly. you
notice a good deal, don't you, Miss
Badger? Perhaps you will notice
some Of my work IN the Footlights
Magazine after Monday" She turn