The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1884-06-19
AT THE TELEPHONE.

! WAS Tile nappleSC man IN the CITY as
1 folded and laid away in my pocket
book letter from the dearest girl in
the world, and jumped on the horse car
Ell route for my Office.
Some months had passed since I saw
my Agnes for the first time at dinner at
Peytons. I had frequently met Miss
George Peyton in society, and had
been several times invited to her recep-.
tions, so I was not surprised to receive
one day an invitation to dine with her
informally" to meet young lady
from Aiken, S. G. OF course Ipresent-
ed myself at this informal dinner in
full evening dress. where I met some
other gentlemen in similar attire-Clark-
son was one of them-and few young
ladies, and was introduced to my Agnes.
If 1 could only make you see her as
she appeared to me that night-so fresh
and blooming; the blue of her clear
peaceful eyes; the delicious curve of the
delicate lips! But enough that then
and there L yielded, and became her ar
dent adorer.
From the first she distinguished me
with her favor. Twas allowed to claim
the best dances; they were always my
flowers that she carried, and finally,
for she returned to Aiken, I was her
accepted lover!
The year had flown swiftly, and now
a brilliant prospect seemed to open be-
fore me. My firm were about to estab-
lish branch department in another
part of the city, and proposed to make
one of their clerks junior partner and
manager of the new concern. I had
been the longest in the employ, and had
reason to think was regarded with
favor by "Old Gruff''- Mr. Gruffland,
the senior partner, was called-and he
would be the one to make the promo
ton and settle the question of salary.
Indeed, for some weeks [ had seen
that he was working the management
into my hands, SO I felt justified in writ
ing to Agnes, urging o1tr immediate
union. The dear girl consented, and
in her letter received that morning she
told me she was coming again, to mako
a long visit at the Peytons, to do some
shopping" Enhancing words!
Well. she came. There was a de-
mure but delightful meeting at the sta
ton, and an enchanting ~ minutes,
until I delivered her to Miss Georges
arms at the Peyton's door.
Then followed days of devotion to
work, followed by evenings of unal-
loyed bliss. Isay "unalloyed" but there
was one drawback. The Peyton fam
lily were very considerable, 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 con
stantly suggesting that we should
join the family in the sitting room"
Old Mrs Peyton was bore, but mild
one-paterfamilias an imitigated one ::
Miss George was benignant, but slight
ly tiresome. There was only one other
member of the family, pretty little
fellow named Ralph, but the girls had
taken to calling him Raphael, from some
fancied resemblance to one of the Sis
tine cherubs. He seemed quiet little
chap, with sweet innocence of express
ion and demeanor, who posed good
deal of the time with his cheek on his
hand after the manner of the cherub
aforesaid.
Agnes had been in the city a 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 "Hullo" was shouted, or the
concluding "All right! I'll tell Mr..
Gruff1and. Good by!" But this morn
ing Clarkson turned to me with: "This
is for you, Dixon!" Accordingly I
shouted "Hullo" and in return heard
Miss Georges voice:
us that you MIR. Dixon? Agnes is
here and wants to try to speak to you. ="
Then I heard her giving directions.
"Stand little nearer; press this close
to your ear-so."
Good morning." I called.
In return [ heard a giggle, and my
Agnes voice exclaimiug; "Oh, oh! It
tickles my earl" Then more directions
from Miss Peyton, and at last the sweet
est voice in the world began in as near
~ as might be stentorian roar:
us that really you, Harry? Isn't
this perfectly sweet? Are you sure
they can't hear in the Office, George ?"
"Well," from George, II should say
they certainly could, if you shout like
that"
Harry" in half whis per, IF you
are sure it's You, and that no one else
can hear, want to tell you something.
Do you remember that queer Miss Blake
in Allen? Do you hear me, Harry?"
"Yes," returned.
Then another little giggle. "Isn't it
too funny? Do you know Harry, now
that see how to use it, I'm going
to talk to you ever so often. Won't it
be fun? But where was I? Dear me
how stupid! Oh. I know, Miss Blake.
Well, she has just sent me the love-
lest"
Here Clarkson muttered, "Old Gruff's
coming" and knowing he would ask an
explanation of my receiving the tele-
phone messages, I was obliged to abrubt-
ly interrupt: II must go now"-I had
almost said "my darling" "TelI me
the rest this evening""
"But, Harry" I heard in grieved
little voice; but Mr.. Grriff1and's foot
steps were too near, and hung up the
receiver upside down, and hurried back
to my desk.
All day worked in nervous despera-
ton. Would she try to resume the
conversation? Every time the bell
rang glanced at Clarkson. The
thought that it might be her voice whis-
pering in his great red ear covered me
with cold perspiration. The fear that
in Mr.. Grutfland's hearing might he
called upon to answer some of her chat
ter was still worse. Imade up my mind
that 1 must m Ike Agnes understand
that very night that she could not amuse
herself in that way, and did so gently,
but resolutely. described Clarkson's
ear, and took some liberties with it..