The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-09-09
CHAPTER x

hand from Bruce's grasp. T thought you were a country gentleman"
 "Made a bust of it, Linda. Any way, I'm about broke. Few thou sand I inherited went"
 Betting on horses2"
 He shrugged shoulders, smiled. "Just galloped away. Executors are selling Radford Farm-to pay Uncle's big bequests. may get a nickel more, but I'm working again"
 "Who for, Bruce?"
 "Free lancing,' he announced proudly. Always was a darn good feature writer So, knowing the states holding a celebration this fall for Man O War, I queried the Na- tional Weekly-and here am, to interview the nag" He grinned again.
 "So am l." she said.
 ''Who for?"
 She told him.
 "E-a-! My competitor. We'll"
 "Llsten, white folks" Will Har- butt interrupted, "Old Red don like you payin' him no mind. Look at 'im"
 Linda looked around. Man O War was haking his head at them, stamping forefoot like a peeved child. "He does thataway when white folks aint respectful" Har- butt added, in grieved tone.
 The interruption gave Linda a moment to think. Bruce had greeted her as though nothing had passed between them. She wanted-oh, so much!-to apologize for her biting words. But this was not the time, place. Now he was peaking again;
 "Where are you stopping, Linda" "The Henry Clay, and I'd better be going. I've got my yarn; Man O War told me @ lot of exclusive things" She gave him her hand, lowered eyelids, said: "Mlad, you'd better step on 1t, or I'll beat you" "TIehl Wait! We're going to have lunch"
 "No such thing-1ve a story to wFite."
 A word of thinks to old Harbutt, & smiling nod to Bruce, and she was gone.
 Linda Gordon was the keen news paper girl again. She drove straight to western Union, telegraphed Moss: "GoT YARN TITLED MAN O WAR WRITES A LETTER STOP" She thought an instant, then wrote on: FOR YOUR INFORMAL TION NATIONAL WEEKLY HAS MAN HERE SAME ASSIGNMENT STOP RUSHING STORY"
 She had a twinge of conscience about adding that, but-business was business. Bruce had to look out Tor himself. She did @ bit of shopping; and when she returned to her hotel lound this telegram:
 THANKS FOR COMING TO BAT STOP PUT STORY ON WIRE TONIGHT STOP THIS IS MUST
 MOSS"
 The telegram was bugle call to action. She guessed that Moss was going to jam the Man O War fea- trre in an edition going to press publish it 0 week ahead of his rival -and the easy-going Bruce. Too bad, old Bruce
 She sat at her portable typewriter. 'sIet's see, $500 words-about IA double-spaced pages"
 At last, after ii sheets of paper had been torn up, she wrote an opening paragraph that pleased. Sne read 1t over; read 1t aloud. "Thatl sock 'em in the eyel" she gloated. Her brain was speeding her fin- gers over page six when the phone ganled. Oh, darn! It would DC Bruce, and 1t was. "Iook here, don't you ever eat Linda I've found swell place"
 She broke in: "Too busy to eat' How much have you writtenP"
 He hesitated. "Er-er-say, I'm writing for a weekly, not a daily newspaper. I've got several days" ooh. yeahp We'll, I've only got few minutes-call me some other time"
 She slammed down the phone, Again the typewriter keys clattered' Within the hour the phone rang again.
 Miss Gordon, this is a reporter and I've got a photographer Won't you please come down to the ladies' parlor and let us get a good picture?"
 The sudden request knocked her of balance. "Of me2 Why me?"
 we're running a great story about you in the morning"
 About mel I don't understand Why, I'm a reporter myself! what have I done?" 'You've done a lot" The words came in a soft southern accent-not unfriendly.
 "Greatl Then, we'll take an action picture of you at the typewriter. wen get managers permission; be right up"
 Abruptly he hung up. Linda got to her feet. Now just what was be- hind thisP She'd jolly well know be- fore anyone snapped her picture. But her anger melted when a