The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1884-10-29

Ifelt rather than heard. little sob
at the other end Of the wire. Gruh
said nothing, but | was doomed to
another miserable day. l managed to
ask Clarkson il was called again to
say could not attend, and five times |
heard him give this message, and each
time he turned away with mighty
grin. What might not Agnes have
said to him2
OF course l hurried to the Peyton' 5,
determined to see her alone. She came
running into the hall to meet me,
bright and loving, but the annoyance
of the day had made me cross, and !
said CURLY:
Really, Agnes, it is very strange
you don't understand that man can
not take his business hours to talk with
his friends. After all / said last night
must say | was surprised to be called
up again to-day"
Agnes stopped abruptly and said,
with dignity:
Il do not understand your
why, my dear little girl" said,
sobered by the change in her manner.
II do not mean to DO cross, but how
could | talk to you about my affection
and forgiveness through the telephone.
with all those fellows listening, to say
nothing of old Gruff?"
But | have not Ntouched the tele-
phone to-day, Harry
"Whatr' l exclaimed.
''Georgier' called Agnes, stepping
back to the sitting-room, and I follow
ed to tell the story.
cit is very strange said Miss Pey-
ton; ''but of course it is some mistake.
The lines are out of order or crossed in
some way. But mamma and Agnes
and have been out shopping all day,
and we lunched down town, so we can
prove an alb"
1t certainly was very strange, butwe
all concluded that it might be as Miss
George suggested, and the pater at
once began to spin long yarns about
queer messages till at last l coaxed
Agnes into the conservatory alone. and
the close of the evening was all the
brighter for the shadow with which it
began. The dear girl sympathized
with me and forgave my impatience,
and was so sweet that before knew /
found myself telling her the one event
of my life | had determined to keep
secret-the little ENHANCEMENT / once
had with Lucretia Chase. OF course
she had been the most to blame, and
Agnes thought her very horrid and for
ward, so had to admit that Cretia had
misunderstood some things l had said
to her when mere boy, and then
Agnes asked me if | really, really loved
her best All me! what happy even
ing it was!
Again the next day the telephone an
noyances began, but | felt sure of my
ground, and told Clarkson he could re-
fuse TO listen. Imagine my surprise
when he turned to me with clever
imitation of Agnes voice. saying:
she is quite sure Harry will come
when he knows she wants to talk to
him about Cretia. -
] was thunderstruck! Lucretia Chase
lived in Vermont; l was morally sure
no one in the city knew of her exist
ence-no one but Agnes. l rushed to
the instrument 1t was the same girls
clear voice. How could anyone have
known that Cretia possessed such idi-
otto lines had once written her-any.
one but Agnes? Yet now 1 heard them
repeated:
oh, Cretiai fairest valentineI
Wilt thou accept this hand Of miner
A smaller gift my soul forbidss
But tens the number of my kidsl
l turned away in anger and surprise,
only to meet Gruf's grim glance.
''If this thing goes on, Mr. Dixon, il
might be well for you and Mr.. Clark
son to change desksio
l knew what that implied, and my
heart sank to my boots.
Il do not understand it myself,
replied. 81 assure you, sir, that / am
exceedingly annoyed. l will not an.
swer it again.
81 will, myself, SIR" he growled, and
went back to my desk to upset the
ink bottle, to make mistakes in my ac-
counts and torture myself with the con-
Tiction that since no one but Agnes
could have sent the message, she was
easing me without realizing the fatal |
to our happiness. And |
III day Mr.. Gruffiand would answer
hat confounded telephone. That some |
If the messages were meant for me ! |
'ould tell, and that they must be utter |
I could conjecture from his
comments: by Jimminy |
Iohnson!' is remarkable expression |
or young lady, Mr.. Dixon"
1t would be too long to tell the story |
# those days in detail. Sometimes
here would be respite, and then the
would begin again. 1t was
arks for Clarkson and the rest, but to
ne it seemed as if tho bell of the tele-
,hone was ringing the kneli of all my
fright hopes. Agnes assured me of
Ter innocence. and Miss Peyton was
eady with explanations; they had I
,een shopping. or calling, or practicing
luets. But could see that q GOODNESS
lad come between Agnes and me. She
cared that doubted her. and I-what
ould thinkP Again and again the
messages referred to what / had said
o her when quite alone Could she
ave repeated my confidence2
At the office preparations for the new
BUSINESS were being hurried on, and
OF one word had been said 10 me Of
romotion.. To crown all, Agnes in
ormed me one evening that she was
Ding to shorten her visit; she had
card of friends going directly to Ak
q, and thought it best to secure their
scort. passed wretched evening,
ut left, determined to make desper-
te effort to clear the mystery. Agnes
ut the next day SO I begged of at the
flee, reached the house at 10, and,
the servant that I wanted
J rest and would let myself out when j
was ready. / managed to conceal N.Y.
IF in aeloset In the hall, where 1 | !
aited four mortal hours. At last / !
as rewarded. A light step came I
trough the hall, chair was drawn to !
10 telephone, and clear voice won 4
srfully like Agnes called: please
inject with Grnffiand. & Cor i
Waiting only long enough to let him i
,tually begin conversation in his us :,
i style rushed out and, catching ],
Q culprit By the arms, bestowed 4 re-
unding box on the ear Of the aston )
he'd Mr.. Raphael The little imp!
lis was revenge for his well-deserved
ubs. / have no doubt he heard eY- &
word of my conversation with Z
mes. e
OF course the Peytons were distress v
and apologize. and Agnes was per- Ii
aded not to hurry away, and old ',
ut relented and / got the promotion q
due time, but never could endure ',
} sight Of that chernbie boy. IyeriIy d
lieve the box that I bestowed upon a
d was his only punishment ana ] | d
dice to think that II was such n
nger TO
Z this story has laorss i IS short q
The more innnenne and uu;1alesa z
'oy looks the less be s e Be trusted. n
He Chuckled.
Le was looking at . new house on g
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