A VALUABLE NEWS ITEM.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XVII, Issue 2, 3 May 1889, Page 23

A VALUABLE NEWS ITEM.

(By Olaba J. Cmroax.)

Ik a large, dingy room, piled up with papers, Charles Norway sal before an open desk, looking over a voluminous heap of proofs, lie was a good-looking young man of the blonde type, having a countenance full of blended keenness and good nature, while his smoothlyshaven face and premature baldness gave him a certain distinguished air that was at all times of practical benefit to him. Norway had been in tbe newspaper business ever since he could remember. All long ago as when he bad worn long curls and knee pants belied hdba an office boy in the employ of Horace Greeley, and oaoe, wbaiTla irate assistant on the paper had, in a moment of wrath etvemt sjiedemeanour, rubbed a bottle of blue ink into tbe sunny browa of Norway's curls, Mr. Greeley had shown his disapproval by a sharp rebuke to tbe perpetrator of the rash act, and, taking the toy by the hand, himself conducted him to a barber and superintended the removal of tbe ink. Later in life Norway grew, by procese of sesimilation, into a full-fledged reporter. He had a way of persuaiioa whioh wormed secrets out of people before they knew it, and he alas had * nice discrimination, enabling him to make good any deficiencies even better than the narrator of the facts himself could have done it. When be was, in the course of his profession, ejected from a place, be had a way of reappearing, quietly, modestly, and with a sort of sweet, inoffensive dignity, not once only, but with constant regularity, until the stoutest heart quailed .under the persistent visitations, asd he gained his desired point. These qualities combined made hlta* a successful news gatherer, and as ht also possessed some literary ability, he gradually rose in his profession. ▲ few months before the opening of our story he had accepted a position as night editor ot the Pro and dm, an enterprising Chicago daily. Norway had come to Chicago before theflre, just in time, in fact, to be caught in an adventure in the great conflagration. It was not much of an adventure, after all ; and only that it concerned a remark* ably pretty girl, Norway Would have probably remembered it, if at a)l, as a mere incident. In the coufusion of escape from a burning building, the young lady, who was a mere school-girl of about fifteen years of age, had become separated from ber friends, and finding her alone and terrified, he did just what be would have done had she been a beggar ou the streets— helped her to a place of safety ac soon as he could. Norway, from his earliest years, had been alone in Ihe world, without the endearing influences of mother or sister, and the child-like trust and confidence of tbe young t traog r aroused a new and strange feeling within him. Though a favourite in a general way with all women, be bad never been in love, but he loit his heart somehow to tbe beautiful young girl that eventful night, which, aa he lojked back upon it, seemed like a happy episode of another world. In after years, whenever Norway heard anyone descant on the horrors of the Chicago fire, he always said he rather eajoyed conflagrations of that kind, and wouldn't mind going through with another. No; nor would be have objected to living in continual alarms, anywhere, if he could but see again the face that had so persistently haunted his imagination ever since. For Norway, with all his jolly, happy-go-lucky disposition, bad one of these very rare natures upon which a strong impression is indelible for all time.

So Norway', at 29, was « bachelor, and likely to remain so. He never knew who his companion was, for just as they reached a place of safety on tbe border of the lake, chaaca led them to setts of her mimng relatives, who were wildly lamenting her loss, while her father w«s yet search ing for her. Norway did not wait to be thanked ; and he had never seen the young lady again . As be sat that afternoon engrossed with ths proofs, a boy snters4. •' Chief wants to tee you, Mr. Norway," he said. Norway said very well, and presently betook bimie'f where the editor in-chief, Mr Thoroe, sat in a large leathern cbair, smoking, and absently folding up sheets of paper which ever and anon he tore into infinitesimal bits, scattering them over the florr at his feet. — This was a confirmed habit of Mr. Thorne'* when meditating; it assisted bis thongbts to now easily, and also imparted a distinot individuality to the room. It was conceded by every one who had ever been in it, that this apartment exceeded in wild and hideout disorder any other given number of square feet ever enclosed within four wall*. As Norway approached, Mr. Thorne looked calmly at him over a vast accumulation of unanswered letters, and spoke : '• You've heard of this Berthold affair ? • be asked, " A very little. The people concerned arejpret»y close mouthed, and won't say a word. There's a good deal of curiosity about it all over town. O d family, you know." " Yes, the facts, if we can get at them, will make a good ley oat for tl c Monday p^per, eh 1 "

" Yee, if we can get them ." " Tou can," said Mr. Thorne in his thin, cold voice. " There is not another man on the paper, however, that I think can manage tbe case. So, if you will consider yourself off duty with rsgard to everything else, and make the next twentt -four hours tell in that directioo, you will place me under an obligation which I shall remapber."

Norway laughed and departed on his mission. He wtnt hpme and dressed as carefully as possible, and tbea took a car to the vest aivje. Here on one of tbe pleasantest streets, in a large, magnificent maocion, with corresponding grounds, lived Mr. Amos Berthold. a wealthy retired merchant formerly in the India ttade. la fpbtajr

section of the town lived a brother and former partner, and the two brothers had quarrelled bitterly, there being some little domestic Bcandal involved in the affair. The high standing of both parties had called particular attention to the matter, and public curiosity had risen to a high pitch, which many of the daily papers had attempted to assuage by hints and conjectures, but as yet nothing was definitely known. It requires a certain degree of nerve power to coolly seek admission to a man's house with the avowed intention of learning, if possible, what that man distinctly desires to conceal, and Norway felt the ttuth of thi3 more forcibly than ha had in any former experience of i behind as he walked up the granite step* and ring the bell. A coloursd man answered the summons and promptly replied to Norway's inquiry if Mr. Berthold was in, that he was, but would see no one. Thus delayed, but not discouraged, Norway took a brisk walk and returned in half aD hour with the same errand. This time a very pretty waitress opened the door. She gave the same report as had her predecessor.

" Bat I think he will sec me ; my business is very important," said Norway, persuasively. At kast be so kind as to take my card." He gave her a plain visiting card. " And see — for your trouble allow me to present you with a few bangles." He dropped five little shining gold dollars into the girl's hand ; and whether it was the master stroke of the bangles, or the winning, smile tbat accompanied the gift, the girl after a moment's hesitation, allowed him to enter, and sea'ed him in a small reception room. After a few moments of waiting, a portly, apoplectic looking gentleman, in dressing gown and slippers, entered, studying the card with a bored expression.

11 1 Jon't remember you, Mr. Norway," he began, unceremonionsly. " But I'm told your business is very important. What can 1 do for you ? "

" I have the honour, sir," said Norway, seriously and gently, " of representing the Pro and Con. I have called for tbe purpose of taking, if such is your pleasure, a statement from you in regard

" Statement 1 I say statement I " burst forth the irate old gentleman, forget ing in bis wrath to be grammatical. "Do you take me for a natural idiot ? Let me tell you, young man, for your own benefit, that I've bad sixteen reporters kicked down the steps ; yes, sir, and into the street, within threa days. The longer it takes you to get out of the house, the more help you will be likely to receive on the way. James I "

The black servant appeared. Norway walked quietly into the ball, took his hat from the rack, and, with his hand oa the door knob, said, with that firm but ciurteons manner so hard for even the most violent to interrupt :

" Mr. Berthold, I came here in your own interest, and in abont " (he consulted his watcb) "an hour and a hilf I shall return wi'h the same object in view, when I shall receive from your own haod3 i written statement for publication in the Pro and Con. Gjod day. sir."

Without waiting to note the effect of his parting word«, he closed the door behind him, and hailing a cab was driven to the residence of Mr. Htzekiah Berthold, in another part of the town. Here, through chance, admission was easy, for as Mr. Bertbold was expecting a lawyer tue maid took it for granted that Norway was he, and abmitted him without question. Mr. Berthold, a tall, tain stately gentleman, silting in a cozy library before a bright grate fire, observed his visitor with surprise but no visible gratification. "Mr. Berthold," sail Norway, "1, as a representative of the Pro and Con, have called tosolicit from you a statement in regaid to tre little matter, hints of which are iiow floating ab Ait town. The Pro and Con defies to publish nothing but iruin, and it is for this reason that I have in'ruded upon you in perso-i." ' I have nothing whatever to say to you," Biid Mr. Berthoki, with a cold glare. "I do not coisides it neces-ary tbat my private affairs should be made the subject of public di cussion. I desire you to leave immediately, and as for the Pro and Con, to which I am d subscriber, I shall stop the paper."

"Very well, sir, said Norway, courteously. He biwed, and seemed about to leave the room when a second thought presented ittelf. He paused and added incidentally :

"I called id the hope that y m might leave with me Bomj slight expression at least of your views in the case, in order that our article may be as fair as possible. I have juat left the residence of your brother, Mr. Anus Berthold, anJ am going back in half an hour to receive his statement, and " i "What! what 1 My brother writing a statement, did you say ?" ciiecl Mr. Ber'hold, rising excitedly, " Aba ! Bit down, young ma-i, sit down." ! Norway sat down. As he did so he saw, half concealed by the heavy curtains before the wiadow, a young lady standing in the shadow of the heavy draperies, who had evidently been listening with much interest to the proceedings. Her profile was turned j toward him, but even at that point of view Norway perc ivel that [see looked disturbed, if not angry. But it was not taat winch most ■ attracted bis attention. There waßsometbing Btrangely familiar in [the poise of the bead, the fluffy waves of dark hair, the contour of the pretiy mouth and chin. Wny did itbrin^ so vividly to his mind a 'certain night seven years ago with a sound of roaring fl imes an 1 falling walls. At that moment Mr. Berthold excused himself in order to i look up some important papers tnat had been mislaid, and as he left I the curtains parted, acd the young lady advance 1 into the room. As ■he faced him, Norway doubted no longer. It was his protege of the fire. Changed, certainly ; for instead of a timid, frigntened schoolgirl, here was a stately beautiful woman. Norway had he ird of Miss 'Berthold, who would have been a decided belle only for a certain 'exclubiveness that hedged her in, or rather hedged others out, but he had never met her formally. But a sense of guilt stole over him, depriving him of the pleasure which the occasion would otherwise brought him. Miss Berthold was attired in a dark wineColoured velvet ; made plain and clo3e fitting, which seemed to add to her height and to render her more imposing. As she confronted

him she transfixed the unhappy young man with a magnificent look of mingled scorn and indignation. " Sir. ' she said, ' have you a mother I " " No." said Norway, who had risen at her reproach. •' I have no mother?" '■' Have you a sister ?" " No ; no sister,' ' " Have you a wife, then ?" persisted the young lady, with growing resentment. " No," said Norway, and his own voice sounded strangely to him ; '• I have no wife." "Well, have you a heart ?" she asked at last, in desperation. Tbe young nun was silent. Ho looked at her, but for once he, fiuud it impossible to speak. Of course she had utterly forgotten him ;he had expected that. But it seemed to him, now they were once more faco to face, that the night of the fire was but yesterday instead of seven years past. Something, in his face, grave, earnest, and moat appealing, touched the young lady with a Blight wonder. " What I mean is, h >w can you do such things ?" she went on ; for having gone so far, she was unable to stop. "What things?" "Why, pry into other people's secrets. Papa said it would kill him if it should get out. And to-morrow it will be all over town and in the papers. Oa 1 Oh I You are cruel. You are heartless. You cannot be a gentleman." Words fail to describe Norway's sensations as he listened. He had sometimes been guilty of indulging in romantic dreams of the time when he might, perchance, meet bis unknown protege, but they bad never pictured tbe event under conditions like these. la his misery and humiliation he was fain to put the burde i of responsibility an Mr. Thome ; and if thoughts could kill, it is probible that the Pro and Con would have been suddenly deprived of its able and enterprising editor. But at that moment Norway took a desperate resolve. " Miss Berthold," he said. " have you ever heard the story of the wise foe and foolish friend ? " ■' No, sir," said the young lady coldly. " Will you kindly allow me to relate it while I am waiting 7 Thank you. A certain king who lived in ancient time j bad a favourite ape. Tbe animal was very fond of him, and was with him nigbt and day. Ons night a robber effected an entrance into the royal chamber in the hope that he mi^ht eicape with some of tbe court jewels. As he entered a huge spider descended from the ceiling on his invisible web, and droppe 1 upon tbe forehead of the sleeping king. The ape enraged that so vile a thing should toucb his belo>ed master, seized a stout staff wbich lay near, and, raising it above his head, would have killed the unconscious monarch, but that the robber sprang forward and arrested the blow. Tbe king awakening, and learning tbe cause of tte confusion, commanded that the ape should be killed, but rewarded the robber. ' For,' said he, •my petted favourite, with gcoi intentions, would have put me to death ; but thou, coming with bad intentions, hast saved my life. Better is a wise foe than a foolish friend.' " Norway related this simple story in a low, impressive voice that vras in itself a work of art. Miss Berlhold listened, first with polite toleration, then with some slight interest. " Tbat is a very good sDory. And the moral is that you are a wise foe V " If [ may not b 3 considered in a fiienil/ light, I certainly, would c >vet that distiacioi. Bu let in • aid that, rather than bring unfavouiable no'onety upon your ftmily, I will cut off my right haul. It you pos tlvely desire it, I will sjive you my worl of honour that not a syllable reUting to this aff ur shall ever find its way into the columns of the Pro and Con. 1 ' " Are you in earntst. /" asked Miss Berthold in surprise. '• Quite so. But you should look at the question from all standpcint->. There are other papers which will not take tbe same stand, but by false representations will give a much worse colouring to the affair than n deserves. I, at least, will secure justice for you; they will not."' " I never thought of that," said Miss Berthold, thoughtfully. She reflected a moment, then said : " I think, then, perhaps it is better as it is. We will trust to your generosity . I owe you an apology for my hasty nnd rude word i. Poor papa has had a gicat deal of trouble of late, and in thinking of him I forget myself." She bowed an adieu and was gone. At that moment Mr. Berthold re-entered the room with a handful of manuscripts as an aid to the propose! work, and began writing his statement. This, however, he found much more difficult than he bad anticipated, and it finally ended in his stating the facts to Norway, who at his option wrote them out. Under the skilful manipulation of his thoughts the whole affair was so gracefully presented that the old gentleman was delighted. '• I wonder if Amos will get ahead of that ?" ha said, rubbing his hands in agreeable reflection. " If I may offer asuggesiion,"snd Norway, '• I will propose that you allow me to submit this piper to Mr. Amos Barthold for his inspection."' " What for? " said Mr. Berthuld, sharply and suspiciously. He looked at Norway a moment, and finding nothing but frankness and truth in the gaze he met, reflected a moment, then said : "Well, you may. I think lean trust him. A Berthold never was known to do a mean act. You're a good fellow," he added, holding out his hand t-> .Norway, as the latter rose to go. " I am glad you came, Let me hive your card. I shall hope to meet you again.* Half an hour later Norway stood again b°fore Mr. Amos Berthold's door ; but under what different auspices than formerly I Now he came a conqueror. This time Mr. Berthold d d not refuse to see him, partly from curiosity, aroused by his strange, prophetic speech as he had taki-n his depaiture on his former visit, and pirtly from a Sinse of uneasiness therefiotu. " So you are here agaiu," he said, testily.

"Yes, sir; I have come from your brother, who has written a statement, which he instructed me to submit to you for your approval." * "He said that, did be? " said the old gentleman, with a gasp of surprise. He mechanically took tbe paper held out to him, and read it carefully. His fuse softecci a 9 he read, and as be finished be admitted that it was fairly written, and, except: a few minor details, just to both sides. " iJtsekiab always was a good square fellow," Norway heard him say, h«flt under his breath, " Til go and see him." Tbe old gentleman shook hands very heartily with Norway at ptrtiog, and even apologised for his former harsh tieatment ; tuongh he declared that it was bard linei when a man had to tell, of his own accord, bis own secrets, against his will. The Barthold affair, after the publication of the statement, faded ont of tte peopled minde, there being no further food for eurio9ity. People reading it and finding nothing sensational, as they had expected, said, " I* that all ? " with a yawn, and straightway forgot all about it ; and about that time the brothers were reconciled. As tot Norway, he became more valuable to the Pro and Con as time passe 1, especially as Mr. Thome's health failed, and be was obliged to take a year's travel abroad. Norway rilled the vacancy caused by his absence, and scraps of able and factious editorials began to be extensively quoted and misquoted throughout the country from his pen. Society, too, smiled upon tbe young journalist, and one day be received an invitation to dine at Mr. Hezekiah Barthold's. Miss Berthold, was, of course, present, and it chanced that be was appointed to take her inio dinner. Afterward they strolled into the conservatory to looked at a new variety of cactus which was then in blossom, bat by the time they reached that charming retreat they had forgotten the cacta*. T«ey even laughed over the circumstances of their former meeting, when Norway had called in the guise of a wise enemy, though Miss Berthold frankly confessed that the subject was a painful one to her. "I can never forget the unceremonious way I addressed you that day," she said, •' Of course it was rude, and you were an utter stranger to me, and when I think of that ridiculous dialogue, which I was the instigator cf " " Do not think of it," said Norway.

" Impossible. I have to think of it, ' said Missßerthold, perversely. " Bat," said Norway. •• if I could prove to you that I was tot an utter stranger, and that we were, or should have been, old acquaintances, having met seven years ago, would that make any difference ? '

"It might. But then it isn't so." 11 Yes, it is quite true. Have you no recollection of me 1 I did sot find it difficult to remember you. although I think you have changed more than I have." '• Seven years ," aaid Miss Berthold in a tone of wonder. "Why I was a mere school girl, and let me see, I was at home for a vacation when

A flash, swift and deep, caused her face to outrival the red roses at her side as she pausei witu a sudden recollection. She looked up shyly, and something ia her face told Norway that they would hereafter bef ieadp. She held out her hand, guying softly; " It was the r ight of the tire." — Exchange.