Evening star., 1940-07-21
THIS WEEK MAGAZINE
WORKING
PRESS
Continued from pose five

thought l was going to have COM
petition"
She went slowly into the other
booth. She hadn't thought him capa
BILE of such a mean trick. She called the
Express. Il want to call off the contest
for today" she told Hale. II didn't
realize what Mr. Reardon was like
want another chance at him. Just to
make things even for today, l have
story maybe even better than this
Townsend one"
He listened to her story. Sounds all
right" he admitted, land might let
you get away with it if it were news
story. But it's a feature story. You
and Mr.. Reardon are supposed to be
competing for news. And you're not
doing very we'll. might buy your
feature story at space rates"
She hung up. Space rates were never
paid to regular reporters, just to free
lancers.
lHE reception was just starting in
big room down the hallway. Behind
tables at one end of the room the
Jasonville Women's Club was serving
fruit punch. Gloria Townsend came up
to the punch bowl, and club women
leaned across the table to greet her,
Something splintered The table sagged
and the Townsend girl was christened
with gallons of punch. Holly took
few notes. The incident would give the
story humorous slant. 1t would show
she was just as much on the job as Bill.
A woman grabbed her arm and
quavered. you mustn't put this in"
Other club women surrounded her
and cried that they would never live it
down if it got in the papers.
'All right" Holly sighed. "Pll keep
it out. But you'd better catch that
black-haired young man. He's re-
porter. too"
The women fluttered toward Bill.
This is news" he growled. I've got
to send it in"
Holly groaned. She might as we'll
resign now. 1t was no use trying to
beat man who had no scruples. 1t
was She stiffened.
Noise battered her eardrums One,
two. three heavy slams. Somewhere
outside, pneumatic hammer danced
on rivets. A car howled away in second
gear like scared cat Men yelled The
unmistakable reports of high-powered
rifles slapped the air. There was a
tinny crash. Then silence.
Mr.. Jepson hoped into the door
way. Nobody leave for fifteen min
utes," he shouted. Joe, Eddie. see
they don't. All but reporter from the
Express" He dashed away.
Holly wriggled through the crowd
and found Bill already at the hallway
door, arguing with the guards. II tell
you I'm from the Express. he howled.
I'm the reporter he meant"
Holly protested, He did not mean
you! You wouldn't even talk to him,
Bill Reardon. AS far as he knows
you're on the staff of the World AL
manac. He meant me"
Bill shrugged You meet these crazy
kids everywhere" he told the men.
They'll do anything for thrill.
She's not working press
SHE looked at him as if he were
hole in a sock. Here's my police
card" she said. ASK him for his
why, why. you know l haven't
been in Philadelphia long enough to
get a police card OF all the mean, low
down -"
THE only card he has" she added,
lis in his right-hand coat pocket. lisa
telephone company card"
One of the men felt in the pocket.
He drew out square white card. read
it and looped its cord over one of Bills
vest buttons That's what you are,
buddy" he grunted. "Out of Order"
They stood aside for Holly to pass.