l put his long, delicate fingers together, tip to tip before his
face, and appeared to be carefully reckoning them up. About the time
when he might reasonably have been expected to have audited the total
and found it to be the correct eight with two supplementary thumbs, he
ejaculated:

"Cooeperation."

"Between the editorial page and the advertising department?"

"Perhaps I should have said profit-sharing. I propose that in lieu of
our present arrangement, based upon a percentage on a circulation which
is actually becoming a liability instead of an asset, we should reckon
your salary on a basis of the paper's net earnings." As Banneker,
sitting with thoughtful eyes fixed upon him, made no comment, he added:
"To show that I do not underestimate your value to the paper, I propose
to pay you fifteen per cent of the net earnings for the next three
years. By the way, it won't be necessary hereafter, for you to give any
time to the news or Sunday features."

"No. You've got out of me about all you could on that side," observed
Banneker.

"The policy is established and successful, thanks largely to you. I
would be the last to deny it."

"What do you reckon as my probable income under the proposed
arrangement?"

"Of course," answered the proprietor apologetically, "it would be
somewhat reduced this year. If our advertising revenue increases, as it
naturally should, your percentage might easily rise above your earnings
under the old arrangement."

"I see," commented Banneker thoughtfully. "You propose to make it worth
my while to walk warily. As the pussy foots it, so to speak."

"I ask you to recognize the fairness of the proposition that you conduct
your column in the best interests of the concern--which, under the new
arrangement, would also be your own best interests."

"Clear. Limpidly clear," murmured Banneker. "And if I decline the new
basis, what is the alternative?"

"Cut down circulation, and with it, loss."

"And the other, the real alternative?" queried the imperturbable
Banneker.

Marrineal smiled, with a touch of appeal in his expression.

"Frankness is best, isn't it?" propounded the editor. "I don't believe,
Mr. Marrineal, that this paper can get along without me. It has become
too completely identified with my editorial idea. On the other hand, I
can get along without it."

"By accepting the offer of the Mid-West Evening Syndicate, beginning at
forty thousand a year?"

"You're well posted,