Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1884-06-06
-oice but Mr.. Gruffland's footsteps were

voice but Mr.. Gruflland footsteps were
too hear, and | hung the receiver upside |
down, and hurried back to my desk.
All day / worked in nervous despcra-
ton. Would she try to resume the con
versation? Every time the bell rang ! |
glanced ut Clurkson. The thought that !
it might be her voice whispering in his
great red ear, covered me with cold per
SEPARATION, The fear that in Mr., Gruf- !
hund's hearing might be called upon to
answer some Of her chatter was still
worse. / made up my mind that ] must
make Agnes understand that very night
that she could not amuse herself in that
way, and did SO gently, but rcsoutely.
described Clarksons car, and took some
liberties with it. 1t would be just like
the wretch to receive all her little con1i-
dences, and retail them for the amuse-
ment of the clerks,
Old Gruff was an ogre, capable OF dis
missing me without warning, II did not
attend every minute to my business. Our
hopes of happiness depended upon his
good pleasure Miss Peyton was cool
and dignifed I suppose she knew was
exaggerating. Agnes looked hurt. Her
sweet lips trembled little, and her eyes
were suspiciously dim. I longed to have
her alone for a little while to comfort her,
MS | knew [ could, but there was no
chance, for, although Miss George re-
Tented sufficiently to go up stairs to write
an 'important letter" Raphael was there,
resting his elbow on the table and look
ing up at Agnes with an expression of
deep pity in his beautiful but sleepy dark
eyes.
And yet the next day the same thing
occurred. Mr.. Grufland was there, and
looked up from his papers with a glance
of disapproval as ] took Clarkson's place
at the telephone. My "Hullo" wNs rath-
err savage.
ooh, Harry, DO you forgive me ? In.
deed, indeed felt SO sorry lastnight, and
wanted to tell you so but. rc1 see,
Ralph was there. Tn alone now. Oh,
Harry, won't YOU forgive me|
"Of course" returned, feeling Gruff"s
eyes burning unpleasantly on the nope OF
my neck.
"Oh, Harry, dear. don't talk like that
to me. DO say YOU love me"
Was there ever such a child ? felt
like cold blooded wretch as | hurriedly
replied
''All right. I'll come up as soon as I
can. Very busy now Good-bv."
l felt, rather than heard, Il little sob at
the other end OF the wire. Grutf said
nothing, but l was doomed to another
miserable day. | managed to ask Clark
son if | was called again to say that |
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 him.
OF course, l hurried to the Peytons,
determined TO see her alone. She came
running into the hall to meet me, bright
and loving, but the nnnoyanccB OF the
day had made me cross, and | said curt
ly;
"Keally Agnes, it is very strange you
don't understand that man cannot take
his business hours to talk with his friends
After all l 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 yuu y
"Why, my dear little girl, l said, So
hered by the change in her manner, Il
do not mean to be cross, but how could |
talk to You about my affection and for
giveness through the telephone, with all
those fellows listening, to say nothing of
old Gruif?"
But have not touched the telephone
to-day. Harry =
"Whatw ] exclaimed.
George ~ called Agnes, stepping
back to the sitting room, and | following
to tell the story.
ut 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
alibi."
1t certainly was very strange, but we
all concluded that it might be as Georgia
| suggested, and the pater at once began to
spin long yarns about queer messages till
at last coaxed Alice into the conserva-
tory alone, and the close of the evening
was all the brighter for the shadow with
which il began. The dear girl sympa-
thized with me and forgayc my impU-
tiencc, and was so sweet that before
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 forward so 1 had to admit that Gre
tia had misunderstood some things | had
said to her when n mere boy, and then
Agnes asked me if | really, really loved
her best.
All, me what happy evening it was !
Again the next day the telephone an
noyanees began, but felt sure of my
ground, and told Clnrkson he could re-
fuse 10 listen. Imagine my surprise when
he turned to me with clever imitation of
Agness 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. / was morally sure
no one in the city knew of her existence
no one but Agnes. l rushed to the ill.,
| strument. 1t was the same girls clear
voice. How could anyone have known
that Cretia possessed some idiotic lines
L had once written her-anyone but
Agnes? Yet now / heard them repeated :
on, Cretia fairest valentines
WIN thOu accept this hand OF mine
smaller gift NY soul fOrbds
But tens the number Of my kids
turned away in anger and surprise,
only to meet old Gruff's grim glance.
''If this thing goes on, Mr.. Dixon it
might be well for you and Mr.. Clarkson
to change.desks.
knew what that implied and my heart