"And now, Dorry dear, I haven't told you anything at all,
though I have written a long letter, and there is so much
you would rather hear than all the things I have said. When
I write I only think of you, Dorry, and how I hunger to see
your beautiful face, and how long the time will be until I
shall take you in my arms and never let you go again. Oh,
sweetheart, I never, _never_ could give you up, unless, of
course, something dreadful should happen, such as my going
blind or being run over and half killed by a cable car, or
if the paper should fail and wreck us all, which I know
can't happen now. I have thought I ought to, sometimes, for
your sake, but I know now I never could have done it, for,
sleeping or waking, I am, Dorothy, through all eternity,
your
"TRUE."
VI
CASH FOR NAMES
The air was charged with a burden of mystery and moment when the three
who strove together in rooms near Union Square joined the man who did
something in an editorial way at the latter's office, and proceeded with
him to the Grand Union restaurant.
"We have a tale to unfold that will make your hair curl," said Perner,
as they stepped out on the lighted street. "Van has had an inspiration.
Premiums are not in it with this!"
"By gad, no!" agreed Livingstone. "It's the greatest thing yet!"
"Good!" shouted Barrifield, above the crash of the street. "Good!"
Van Dorn modestly remained silent. Perner made an effort to keep up the
conversation, but the roar of the cobble made results unsatisfactory and
difficult. It was a good mile to the Grand Union, but Barrifield
explained _sotto voce_ as they entered that it was the only place for
steamed soft clams in town. Soft clams appealed to Perner, and any
lingering doubts he may have had of Barrifield's ability as business
manager disappeared at this statement. Livingstone, who was not quite so
tall as the others, had kept up with some difficulty, and was puffing a
little as they seated themselves at a table in one corner.
"I know now what it means to start a paper," he observed reflectively.
"It means first to walk a good ways and then eat something. That's what
we've been doing ever since we started."
"Better eat while we've got a chance," said Van Dorn. "If the 'Whole
Family' fails we'll walk without eating."
"We can afford to eat on Van's new scheme," said Perner. "It's worth
it."
Barrifield laughed comfortably.
"What is your scheme?" he asked, seeing that Perner was waiting
anxiously to unload.
"Wait," interrupted Van Dorn. "Here's the waiter. Let's give the order,
and then we'll have a couple of hours to talk while he's catching the
clams."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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