Page:Elizabeth Jordan--Tales of the city room.djvu/36

 young person, but she was profoundly moved now. Many thoughts crowded into her mind. She recalled what she had read of Helen Brandow's past life,—the good she had done as a girl at school, her adoration of her mother, the hundreds of noble men and women who were her friends, and whose faith in her innocence was so steadfast. They were moving heaven and earth to save her now, and when their success had seemed assured she had ruined all by this hour's talk which was just ended.

Ruth Herrick almost groaned as the situation unrolled itself before her. It was something she had to face. She knew now that she had suspected almost from the first what the climax might be, and had resolutely put the thought from her. And now she had the "biggest beat" of the year! Already she could see the commotion in the managing editor's office when the news came in. He would be startled out of his usual calm. He had spoken of her chance to distinguish herself, but even he had asked but an interview. In his wildest imaginings he had not dreamed of a confession. She knew that. But she