Page:Elizabeth Jordan--Tales of the city room.djvu/230

 madness. I don't know what you 're thinking of.It's not Miss Van Dyke's kind of a story at all. Why don't you send Miss Masters if you want a Tenderloin special?" he demanded, forgetting the deference due his superior officer in his agitation.

The editor considered his objections gravely.

"That's true, Miss Van Dyke," he said, turning to her with a sudden lapse of interest. "It is n't your kind of a story, you know. Are you quite sure you realize what you 're attempting?"

"I should like to take the assignment," the newspaper woman returned nervously but firmly. "I think I can give you what you want. At least, I 'll do my best."

"Well, all right then," said the young man, briskly. He tapped his bell, and told the office boy who responded to get Henderson and a carriage. When Henderson entered, almost at once, he gave him some concise directions in a low tone. Then he turned again to Miss Van Dyke.

"I think a couple of hours uptown will be enough," he said kindly. "It won't be a