Page:Lynch Williams--The stolen story and other newspaper stories.djvu/298

 Woods, don't forget this is an afternoon paper."

Billy did not like to be joked about his absent-mindedness, but he was too happy with the thought of going out on a story once more to feel any resentment. His eyes were glistening as he grabbed some copy-paper and dashed out of the room with something of his old vigorous stride, smiling to himself and humming a little tuneless tune of pleasure.

"I'll bet he gets drunk on that order you gave him, Mr. Hutchings," said a copy-reader, looking up.

"I have two other men out on the story, so it won't matter," said the city editor.

But Billy Woods had no thought of getting drinks with the money or even something to eat, which he would have relished much more just now. First he went to his old favorite barber-shop and got shaved. He remembered that the old Billy Woods was a well-dressed young man; besides it might be necessary to look like a gentleman, in order to work the story in the way he had instantly planned.