ghtly.

"Well, maybe with that sort of idea behind it, it might come to
something. I don't know. It's _possible_ that you may be the one to do
it." He emphasized the "possible." "At any rate, it's worth trying.
Judging by the snide editors and publications in this town, no one in
America wants anything decent." His lip curled. "I have ambitions of my
own, but I don't expect to work them out through the magazines of this
town; maybe not of this country. I didn't know that any change was
under way here."

"Well, it is," I said. "Still, you can't expect much from this either,
remember. After all, it seeks to be a popular magazine. We'll see how
far we can go with really interesting material. And now if you know of
any others like yourself, bring them in here. I need them. I'll pay you
for that article, only I'll include it in a better price I'll give you
for something else later, see?"

I smiled and he smiled. His was a warmth which was infectious when he
chose to yield, but it was always a repressed warmth, cynical, a bit
hard; heat chained to a purpose, I thought. He went away and I saw him
no more until about a week later when he brought me his first attempt to
give me what I wanted.

In the meantime I was busy organizing a staff which should if possible,
I decided after seeing him, include him. I could probably use him as a
salaried "special" writer, provided he could be trained to write
"specials." He looked so intelligent and ambitious that he promised
much. Besides, the little article which he had left when he came again,
while not well organized or arranged as to its ideas or best points, was
exceedingly well written from the point of mere expression.

And the next thing I had given him to attempt was even better. It was,
if I recall correctly, a stirring picture of the East Side, intended to
appeal to readers elsewhere than in the city, but while in the matter of
color and definiteness of expression as well as choice of words it was
exceptional, it was lacking in, quite as the first one had been, the
arrangement of its best points. This I explained to him, and also made
it clear to him that I could show him how if he would let me. He seemed
willing enough, quite anxious, although always with an air of reserve,
as if he were accommodating himself to me in this much but no more. He
grasped the idea of order swiftly, and in a little while, having worked
at a table in an outer room, brought me the rearranged mate