They walked down the editorial room together until they reached Tim’s desk where the flying reporter, his eyes red-rimmed from lack of sleep, was working.
“Hold up a minute, Tim,” said the managing editor. “I have some news for you. We’re going to discontinue your column.”
“But Mr. Carson,” protested Tim. Then he stopped abruptly, his tired eyes welling with tears.
“Oh, I’m sorry, Tim, I shouldn’t have said it in that way,” Carson hurried on. “What I meant to tell you is that the column is gone for good—from now on it will be a regular department of the paper and you’re to have charge of it.”
CHAPTER NINE
Relieved of the burden of his other duties, Tim devoted all of his energies to the development of his aviation department. He chronicled the arrival and departure of the mail and express planes at the field in addition to all of the private ships which made overnight stops or called for supplies. He also made it a point to use the plane in covering the dedication of every new airport in the state and thus created much good will for his paper.
One day early in May the telegraph editor handed Tim a short story which had just come in over the wire. Its contents were such that Tim picked up the sheet of copy and started for the managing editor’s desk.
Carson was closing his desk and preparing to leave the office when Tim accosted him.
“Oh, Mr. Carson,” said the flying reporter. “I’d like to talk with you for a few minutes.”
The managing editor glanced at the clock. “I haven’t much time, right now,” he said. “I have an appointment at the dentist’s in ten minutes.”