Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1884-06-20

can't hear in the Office, Georgie?"
"Well," from Georgia, II should say
they certainly could, if you shout like
that"
"Harry," in a half whisper, ''if you are
sure it's really you, and that no one else
can hear, l want to tell you something.
Do you remember that queer Miss Blake
in Aikenp Do you hear me HarryP"
"Yes,"I returned.
Then another little giggle. 'Isn't it
too funny! Do you know, Harry, now
that l see how to use it, I'm going to
talk to you eve SO often. Won't it be
fun? But where was L? Dear me, how
stupid! Oh, 1 know, Miss Blake. Well
she has Just sent me the loveliest-"
Here Clarkson muttered: .Old Gruf's
coming" and knowing that he would
ask an explanation of my receiving the
telephone messages, L was obliged
to abruptly interrupt: "Imlst 90 now''
I had almost said ssmy darling"
Tell me the rest this evening""
'But, Harry!H' i heard in o grieved
little voice; but MI. Grutiand's foot
steps were too near, and | hung up the
receiver upside down, and hurried back
to my desk.
All day / workd in nervous despera-
ton. Would she try to resume the con-
versation? Every time the bell rang I
glanced at Clarkson. The thought that
it might be her voice whispering in his
great red ear covered me with cold per-
spiration. The fear that in Mr.. Gruff-
lands hearing l might be called upon
to answer some Of her chatter was still
worse. made up my mind that l must
make Agnes understand that very night
that she could not amuse herself
in that way, and [ did so,
gently but resolutely. I described
Clarkson's ear, and l took some liber-
ties with it. 1t would be just like the
wretch to receive all her little conf
dences, and retail them for the amuse-
ment of the clerks.
Old Grutf was an ogre, capable of dis
missing me without warning, ifIdidnot
attend every minute to my business.
Our hopes of happiness depended upon
his good pleasure. Miss Peyton was
cool and dignified. l suppose she knew
I was exaggerating. Agnes looked
hurt. Her sweet lips trembled a little,
and her eyes were suspiciously dim. l
longed to have her alone for a little
while to comfort her, as 1 knew l could;
but there was no chance, for though
Miss George relented sufficiently to 90
up stairs to write an ''important letter."
Raphael was there. resting his elbow on
the table, and looking up at Agnes with
an expression Of deep pity in his beauti-
full but sleepy dark eyes.
And yet, the ncxt day the same thing
occurred. Mr. Gruffland was there, and
looked up from his papers with a glance
Of disapproval as | took Clarkston's
place at the telephone. My ''Hullo"
was rather savage.
"Oh, Harry! Do forgive! Indeed.
indeed, l felt so sorry last night, and
wanted to tell you; but, you see, Ralph
was there. I'm all alone now. Oh,
Harry! won't you forgive me?"
"Of course" l returned, feeling
Gruff's eyes burning unpleasantly o
the nape Of my neck.
ooh, Harry, dear, don't talk like that
to me. Do say you love me?"
Was there ever such q child? l felt
like a cold-blooded wretch, as 1 hurried
ly replied:
"All right. I'll come up as soon as 1
can. Very busy now. Good bye"
1 felt, rather than heard. a little sob
at the other end of the wire. Gruff said
nothing but l was doomed to another
miserable day. ] managed to ask
Clarkson, if | was called again, to say [
could not attend, and five times [ heard
him give this message, and each time
he turned away with a mighty grin.
What might not Agnes have said to
him?
OF course, l hurried to the Peyton's,
determined to see her alone. She came
running into the hall to meet me,
bright and loving, but the ~annoyances
of the day had made me cross, and l
said, curtly:
Greatly. Agnes, it is very strange you
don't understand that a man cannot
take his business hours to talk with his
friends. After all / said last night, 1
must say / was surprised to be called up
again to-day!'
Agnes stopped abruptly, and said,
| with dignity:
81 do not understand you!'''
"Why, my dear little GIRL" 1 said,
sobered by the change in her manner,
Il do not mean to be cross, but how
could l talk to you about my affection
or forgiveness through the telephone,
with all those fellows listening. to say
nothing of old Gruff?"
"But [ have not touched the tele-
phone to-day, Harry"
"Georgie!' called Agnes, stepping
back to the sitting-room, and 1 followed
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
l have been out shopping all day, and
we lunched down town, so we can prove
an alsbi."
1t certainly was very strange, but we
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 sympa-
thized with me, and forgave my impa-
thence, and was so sweet that, before 1
knew, L found myself telling her the one
event of my life 1 had determined to
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