The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1878-06-13

effival Just after breakfast tins morning
when it was shouted BY the telephone At
the station below"
s'Thirty miles awsyw
ooh ! that's nothing. We expect to be
able to hear news from . hundred miles
sway before many years are past"
"May not be In the immediate vicin-
ity when that news is shouted !" says
the lady, with an involuntary movement
of her pretty white hands toward her
pretty rose-tipped ears, "for l should
expect to be deaf for evermore."
"Never fear, my dear-l mean Miss
Beardsley. Such mlsfortuae - that
shall never occur, even though you
should chance TO be 1t the very side Of
the shouter. Edison at this moment is
perfecting an instrument that begins to
deliver its message in o moderately loud
voice, which increases in volume as it is
carried forward, until il reaches the most
distant point it 10 intended to reach thus
maintaining an:.even tone along the route.
How glorious all these EdisoniaD in
yentions are " he continues, with glow
| Of enthusiasm, ''and what humdrum times
| oar ancestors must have had without
uem! Why, they arc the worry life Of
he age. There's the phonograph, for
instance-but beg pardon; you are
looking bored. can not expect you to
take a. much interest in these scientific
subjects as do. Is not Reginald COM
ing this way" ...,
'tHe is not" answers Miss Laura, de-
murely; she is still holding Bella's
hand. and totally ignoring oil the other
welcoming hands extended to him."
"'Ah the old, old story that is ever
new quotes Mr.. Fishback, as he peeps
over the shoulder OF his fair guest at the
new arrival; and then, suddenly rising
and confronting her, he exclaims: "You
must have heard that story very often,
Laura-forgive me for calling you SO,
but you used to permit it in the days We
went blackberrying together some ten
years ago; and forgive me again, but,
upon my word, cannot help asking
you, impeiled IS am BY some mystic
rious power, Why have You never mar
ried :"
A blush rises to her check, but she
looks up in his face calmly and replies ::
g" don't remembes the blackberry cpl.
sodes, and have remained unmarried
because l vowed when . young girl
never to marry unless convinced that
was the first and only love Of the man
whose wife became"
"Laura, have never loved another"
"Mr. Fishback, you forget my old
friend Teresa, tho sister of tho girl to
whom your brother Reginald Is now
making love on the lawn"
"Good heavens Laura, how mistaken
you are %
"Twas with her you looked for
blackberries. never know you to End
any-not with me, SIR
"Laura, how blind You were! sought
her society only to be near you. de-
clare, upon my word and honor, l lin
gersd by her side for hours and hours
in the hope that you would join Us for .
moment or two during the time, and
when you did, in that moment or two
was concentrated the joy of the whole
day. You were 90 proud, so cold, so
reserved, 1 did not dare to approach you
save through your friend. and"
s,And you did not bury yourself in
seclusion for two years after she Tilted
you and married Frank huntington"
she asks, as he pausos.
"Great heavens! how preposterous.
Laura, l swear"
But, as he is about to swear, enter .
procession of small nephews and nieces
and attendant friends, the leader Of
which carries an odd.looking box.
"See, uncle!"the bright-eyed little fell
low calls out al no approaches. 81
found this old photograph on the top
shelf Of your closet, whore l WAS look.
ing tor your fishing line TO play horse
with, and it talks like everything"
With this he begins to turn tho metal
crank, and . voice-A somewhat shrill
young voice, the voice of Teresa, sister
Of Bella-whilom friend of Laura
Neutrality-suspicious. to speak:
"Yss, Leon, my own, will grant your
imprisoned prayer, aud breathe the
word you long to hear into this magical
casket, and then when you are lonely or
inclined to doubt me, jealous one, you
call them forth to bring back the smiles
to your dear face, and joy to your dear
hesrt. do return the love you 90 ar
IDENTIFY avow, and will marry you when
mamma gives her consent. Until then
no lips shall touch the lips made sacred
by your kiss, no hand shall clasp the
hand that wears your lovely diamond
ring. But oh, Leon dear, try to like
Laura little for my sake. 1 know she
is all that you say she is-sffected, cold
hearted, naughty and dsigreeabIe q am
just naughty enough 70 b pleased when
you tell me her beauty. 80 much admir-
cd by others, particularly Frank Hunt.
ington, fades into utter insIgni6cance
beside that Of your own little Tsress)
but, Leon, try,ob! try, to tolerate her,
strange ss it may appear to you, dislik-
ing her as you do, | am quito fond Of
her. Good night, beloved. Dream OF
Teresa" .F
.Thst"-somethingo OF other-"phon-
ograph !" said Mr.. Fishback; 81 thought
I destroyed it long ago." - he angrily
snatched it from the hands of the small
discoverer.
"Wbat did our hsmdrum ancestors do
without these glorious inveotions ?"
murmured Miss Laura, - che quietly