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

LUZ H Il
Twas the happiest man in the city a
folded and laid away in my pocket
book a letter from the dearest girl il
the world. and jumped on the horse-ca
en- route for my office.
Some months had passed since saw
my Agnes for the first time at dinne
at the Peyton's. had frequently me
Miss George Peyton in society, anC
had been several times invited to hel
receptions, so ] was not surprised tore
ceive one day an invitation to dine will
her "informally," to meet a young lady
from Aiken, g. C. OF course present
ed myself at this informal dinner in full
evening dress, where | met some othel
gentlemen in similar attire-Clarksor
was one of them-aHd a few young
ladies, and was introduced to my
Agnes. If could only make you see
her as she appeared TO me that night
so fresh and blooming; the blue Of heI
clear, peaceful eyes; the delicious curve
of the delicate lips! But enough that
then and there l yielded, and became
her ardent adorer.
From the first she distinguished me
with her favor. / was allowed to claim
the best dances; they were always my
flowers that she carried. and finally,
for she returned to Aiken, was her &C.
cepted lover.
The year had flown swiftly, and now
a brilliant prospect seemed to open be.
fore me. My firm were about to es-
tablish branch department in another
part of the city, and proposed to make
one of their clerks a junior partner and
manager of the new concern. had
been the longest in their employ, and
had reason TO think / was regarded
with favor by 'OId Gruff''-as Mr..
Gruffland, the senior partner, was call
ed-and he would be the one to make
the promotion and settle the question
of salary.
Indeed, for some weeks | had seen
that he was working the management
into my hands, so / felt justified in
writing to Agnes, urging our immedi-
ate union. The dear girl consented,
and in the letter received that morning
make long visit at the Peytons, to
''do some shopping" Enhancing
words.
Well, she came. There was de-
mure but delightful meeting at the sta
ton, and an enchanting twenty min
utes until l delivered her to Miss
Georges arms at the Peyton's door.
Then followed days of devotion to
work. followed by evenings of unalloy.
ed bliss. say ''unalloyed, but there
was one drawback. The Peyton fami-
~ were very considerate, Miss George
especially so, but my darling Agnes
was haunted with the fear that they
would think her visit to them was only
to enjoy my society, and was constant
ly suggesting that we should 'join the
family in the sitting-room. Old Mrs.
Peyton was bore, but mild one
paterfamilias an unmitigated one; Miss
George was benignant, but slightly
tiresome. There was only one other
member of the family, q pretty little
fellow named Ralph, but the girls had
taken to calling him Raphael, from
some fancied resemblance to one of the
Sistine cherubs. He seemed a quiet
little chap, with sweet innocence of
expression and demeanor, who posed q
good deal of the time with his cheek on
his hand, after the manner of the cher
ub aforesaid.
Agnes had been in the city few
weeks when, one morning, the tele-
phone bell in our Office rang sharply.
This was of frequent occurrence, and
Clarkson's desk was stationed near It |
to save time in answering the call. The
rest of us scarcely looked up as the IA /.
miliar "Hullor' was shouted, or the
concluding 'tAll right! I'll tell Mr..
Gruffiand. Goodbye Butthis morn
ing Clarkson turned to me with: 'sThis
is for you, Dixon" Accordingly /
shouted "Hullor' and in return heard
Miss Georgie's voice:
els that you, Mr.. Dixonp Agnes Is |
here and wants to try to speak to you.
Then ! heard her giving directions. |
'fStang little nearer; press this close |
TO your ear-so.
Good morning, y called.
In return / heard a giggle, and my i
Agnes voice exelaiming: s'Oh, OIL It |
tickles my carp Then moro directions
rom Miss Peyton, and at last the
sweetest voice in the world began in
IS nearly as might be stentorian
,oar:
as that really you, Harry Isn't
his perfectly sweetP Are you sure
hey can't hear in the Officer
''Well, :" from George, 81 should say
hoy certainly could. If you shout like
hatn
Harry" in half whisper, ..if You
ire sure it's you. and that no one else
an hear, / want to tell you something.
DO you remember that queer Miss
Blake in Aiken? Do YOU hear me.
1arrya'
yes" l returned.
Then another little giggle. '.Isn'tit
90 funny? Do you know, Harry, now
hat I see how to use it. I am going to Il
ak to you ever so often2 Won't Is be |
anny7 But where was Ie Dear me,
ow stupid. Oh, know Miss Blake.
Yell, she has just sent me the lowell .
STU
Here Clarkson muttered. ..0ld GruH's I
oming," and knowing he would ask
q explanation of my receiving the tel
phone messages. ] was obliged to alb {
aptly interrupt: Il must 90 now''-I
I'D almost said my darling TEL {
10 the rest this evening. y i
But Harryp' heard q 0rieved lit (
g voice; but Mr.. Grufiandss footsteps /
ere too near. and I hung the receiver /
pside down, and hurried back to my +
ssk.
All day worked in nervous despera-
on Would she try to resume the o
lnvsrsation2 Every time the bellrs !
glanced at Clarkson. The Thought
1t It might be her voice whispering
his great red ear covered me with
Id perspration. The fear fhaf in