The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1883-11-15
CARDONNE'S COURTSHIP.
THE LITTLE TELEGRAPH OPERATOR.

THE LITTLE TELEGRAPH OPERATOR.
Northbrook came under the auction
4 GERS hammer by foreclosure of mortgage.
Mt was a valuable country seat, and did
mot bring half what it was worth.
b The purchaser was Gale Cardonne. an
Intelligent, wealthy. self-opinionated
man. sometimes called by his friends
The German Baron;" not because he
WAS of German descent, but probably
because of his ruddy face, fine physique
and brusque, positive manners, the latter
verging upon rudeness when his passion
was aroused.
The neighbors speculated considerably
about his advent at Northbrook, and
prophecies were made which were not
particularly mplimentary. He would
Introduce new tangled notions; he
would engage in foolish experiments; he
would be an easy victim to the fallacies
OF theoretic farming. and the like.
,& Well, he came and settled among them
and nothing of the kind occurred. He
left farming operations to an experienced
hand, devoted his leisure moments to
books, enjoyed the fresh country air and
attended so much to his own business
and not to that of other people that he
was voted too exclusive.
There was a railway station at North
brook, and ono day he ran hastily up the
steps to send messenge by telegraph.
He leaped from the train without think
3 ing of the valise which he had placed on
{ the seat beside him. Its contents we're
valuable, and he was anxious to receive
1T by the returning train.
"a The operator was quiet, demure-
hooking girl, very compact and plainly
clad; and her facs creamy white, neither
3 approaching to pallor nor indicating ill.
health.
He stated his errand. Could she get a
ispatch to Croyland before the train got
here?
y "Oh. yes" was the reply. "How can
You identify the valise?"
Her voice sounded as clear as a bell,
md her white, shapely hand was toying
nth the button of the telegraph instru =
4 ukent.
"My name is on it," he said.
"And your name lisp"
Gale Cardonne."
3| She had heard of him, but never had
Yet him. She surveyed him in q specu-
Stive way, yet with 10 suggestion Of
Dpldness. Her eyes were soft grey eyes,
nth fabulous depth and just then
Hhged with wistful interest.
A few ticking sounds followed and
Zen she announced that the message had
ZEN sent and acknowledged. He flung
pwn a coin in compensation and then
r1cked up q book which she evidently
I'D been reading.
''Sartor Resartus, by Thomas Car.
lYle," he exclaimed, reading the title, an
t1tonation of surprise in his voice.
You are-are-ploding through this?"
asked, stammering in his choice OF
BIRDS.
#t'Yes," she answered.
Il sf'Aud-enjoy it?" was his next Ques-
bn, little grimly put.
IA faint pink flush came into her
eeks.
Pat least, l do not consider the read
q OF it an infection" she rejoined, q
|srcely perceptible smile about her
pc.
Her reply pleased him. He was stand
3ng almost directly over her, for she was
nted. He noticed the finely poised
ad, the compact brow, the delicate
<rs, the chestnut colored hair, with
rking shadows Of bronze on it, and not
strand out of place.
Her figure was 1.-the and graceful, and
b air modest and self-composed. His
oximity did not disturb her; the con-
business of his worth did not cause
3 TO depreciate herself.
3 Bhe opened small drawer, threw into
The coin which he had placed on the
BILE and handed him the proper
ange.
Keep il, lie said, with q toss Of his
I'd.
Fl cannot" she replied. II am not
Titled to it,"
''I am 1t liberty to give it TO you"
But am not at liberty to receive it. "
70 answered, "or rather do not wish
He picked mp the change with q
SOwn.
"You know my name," he said; IF
hew yours We might consider ourselves
cquainted."
sMy name is Janet Thorue," she re-
ned in her quiet way.
XHe bowed, then descended the wind
y stairway.
"Janetr" hs repeated 10 himself. "a
aid uame, and Il suits her. S0msbow
feel strangely interested in the little
Arush."