Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1883-12-13
FRANK vARNEYs CHOICE.

All its rays on tne tlny enclosure IN the
corner which served for the telegraph
office.
1t was hot, dusty, and uncomfortable,
and the spirits of the little operator
were at the lowest ebb. She was so
tired of it all, tired of the noise and
confusion, and the staring, unmannerly
crowd; tired even of the ceaseless clat-
ter OF the instruments that she had
once thought so musical.
''Where are your blanks?" said n
CHEEKY, little voice at the little receiv-
ing window. ''Oh, beg pardon, here
they are" And then a moment later;
What beastly pens you telegraph peo-
pie always have! Do you buy up all
the defunct pens of the public schools
for the use of your patrons?"
She raised her head imp,ltiently, and
encountered pair of mischievous
brown eyes, that were regarding her
with rather perplexed look.
As he met her eyes, he Redeemed a
little, and said:
Can you send this messs ge through
for me at onceph
Eyes, sir Thank your'
"A very warm day. Good-after-
noonr'
The straw hat was lifted from his
brown curls for Il moment; and then
after another prolonged stare he was
gone.
Laura Arnold looked after him, with
n tumult of pain in her heart.
And it was thus they met, after five
years of separation they who had
been such friends in the old days.
How silly she had been TO think of him,
and cherish his fond, foolish, parting
words, all these years! And now, when
ut last they met, he had no word of
greeting for her, only the careless cour-
tesy of IA stranger.
She knew he had been successful, and
was eminent in his chosen profession.
Perhaps he did not care to recognize
his old playfellow, for life had not gone
smoothly with her since they parted;
and she told herself proudly that she
was glad he had made no sign
Il beg your pardon" said voice at
her elbow; and she turned quickly ID
see him back again. Surely cannot
be mistaken. 1t is Laura Arnoldr'
Eyes, it is Laura Arnold" she said,
as she put her hand in his. II am very
Sidu W scc you, LII. v dTHcy
ut was Laura and Frank between
us two, once upon n time" he said,
holding the slim white hand closely in
his. Are you going to put me at
arm s-length because did not at once
recognize my little gypsy in the very
proper, not to say stately, young lady
who looked ready to snub me at the
slightest provocation?"
Laura and Frank let it be, them"
she said brightly. ''But what has
brought you from home this hot wealth
er?'
The medical convention and-other
business; but please may come inside,
and talk TO you comfortably
IF you will make yourself as COM
pact as possible. This office was not
intended for the accommodation of peo-
pie who have. six feet of perpendicular
ity to dispose of. y
He came in and sat down opposite
her, watching her while she worked,
and making gay comments on the peo-
pie as they passed.
What handsome, goodly face it
was, and how pleasant to have him
there, chatting of the old home and
friends, until she seemed to smell the
mignonette in the old garden, and hear
the babble of the little stream in the
meadow, where they two had spent so
many happy hours!
"Do you know" he said, as he watch
ed her pen glide swiftly over the paper,
1.-THE telegraph has always been the
mystery of mysteries to me? have
not much better idea of 1t now than
had when we pounded the poles, on
our way home from school, TO hear
what was going over the wires.
at is not hard to understand" she
said laughingly. what were you
doing when you should have been study
ing your philosophy and familiar sci
encep You were always an idle boy"
II will be good, now l have found
my little mentor again" he said, lean
ing forward, with dangerous fascina-
ton in the brown eyes. II wonder
how / have managed to rub along all
these years without you"
II think you have borne up wonder
fully. You don't seem to have peaked
and pinned"
well, no-that is not in my line.
But that is more than can say for you,
Laura. Suppose we make bargainP
We will exchange trade secrets. You
shall explain this mystery of the tele-
graph, of which you are the high priest
ess, and / will tell you how to get back
some of the old-time roses in those pale
cheeks of yours
Agreed said Laura merrily.
"When shall we commence?"
''At once. My first prescription is
that you shall go out with me for drive
tomorrow morning"
THAT would be very pleasant; but
am afraid it is not possible. L must be
here at eight o'clock.
Certainly; and l will be at your
clearinghouse at six. We will have
two hours in the pleasantest part OF the
day, and i will set you down here at
eight o'clock.
'It would be very NICE" said Laura
wistfully.
ssOf course il would he said, rising
to go, and holding her hand fast; land
you will come, Laura, for the sake OF
Aud Lang Synep"
sFor the sake of Aud Lang Syne,
them" she said, raising blushing dim
pied face and shining eyes to him, very
different from the woe-begone counter
ance that had greeted him when he
came.
DIR. varney's handsome thorough.
breds were at the door of the shabby
little cottage where Laura boarded
punctually at six the following morn
inc. and she was waiting for him.
1t.o ..rosor;,tion eaamed IN bQ work