“Well, I should say it had, and is well under way by this time. Why, it began at twelve o’clock last night. We had a big riot, but things are quieting down now, and both sides are awaiting developments.”
“And I haven’t sent a word of it to the paper!” exclaimed Myles, aghast at the thought of his neglected duty.
“Of course not. How could you, when all the telegraph wires were cut the first thing?”
“Were they, really?” asked Myles, in a slightly relieved tone. “So that I couldn’t have sent any thing, any way?”
“To be sure they were. Nobody was able to send off even a whisper. So you may rest easy on that score.”
This news lightened poor Myles’ burden of anxiety somewhat, though it did not lessen the force of his self-reproach. Perhaps this, his first serious neglect of duty, would never be known in the office, after all. At the same time Myles vowed that such a thing should never happen again.
After bathing his face in cold water he started out with Ben to study the situation. As they passed the hotel bar-room the latter suggested that they step in and take a “bracer.”
“No, I thank you,” said Myles, resolutely. “No more ‘bracers’ for me. After last night I am willing to pledge myself never to touch another drop so long as I live.”
“Oh, pshaw!” replied Ben. “Last night was nothing.”