The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1884-10-16

all much moved. Lulu especially
watched her with q startled face and
looked unaccountably grave. Indeed,
we soon noticed change in the child.
All that day and the next she was very
nervous, red and pale by turns. and
flying to the telephone every second,
imagining continual calls. Two more
days passed. Lulu would not 60 out,
though mother told her, as she had now
learned to use the telephone, we were
Independent of her Lulu Ibid not care
to 90 out" she said. She took book
ard sat in the hall, but no one saw her
read. She could scarcely eat her meals
for flying up to listen at the telephone:
She was the first up in the house and
the last to go to bed. She grew pale
and thin.
That awful night preys upon her, "
said aunty.
On the fifth day mother sent her out
on an errand. Lulu, usually so glad OF
an excuse to 90 out, tried to shirk it;
she begged of. For days she had lost
all her pretty bushes, but she now
blushed furiously. Mother was infex-
ible, and Lulu went.
About half an hour after she left the
telephone bell rang. Mother rose in
her peculiarly digniiied way and went
to the instrument. This was nGvelty
to Us, SO we all followed her; and as [
have since learned exactly what she
then heard, will put it down here in
its right place:
"Hello!" said mother, gently. "What
is it?''
rs that Mccartney of DanneMoTa?"
said voice.
Yes" said mother.
THE VOICE. Il knew it was, Dat l
Just wanted TO hear your sweet voice
say Yes, you darling! | love the word,
because Pm always dreaming of hear
ing You say it to more important
question.
Signs of establishment and horror on
mothers face.
The VOICE. "You never will meet
me anywhere, and | can't ask you to
marry me through this old telephone.
though 1 don't know what should
have done without it."
Mothers face grew stony with hor-
ror, but she clung to the receiver des-
perately.
THE VOICE.. "But, dear, dear Luz
lu-"
"Om gasped mother.
THE VOICE. Ibid you speak?"
MOTHER Gin q Uery ioD tone>. No"
THE VOICE. ''My own darling, you
have acknowledged that you love me;
and if YOU do, not all the undying en-
nifty Of ell the old women in the world
can keep us apart. Our love will
bridge the Dyke -"
"INhat.n shrieked mother, fiinging
down the receiver in sudden frenzy,
.'does Somerindyke dare to make
love to one of my daughters?"
The VOICE Qo Missy, a0ho with
great presence Of mind had SnGtcbed
the receirer as II fell and c'apDed IL to
her earl. 1.-The mischief What have
| done2 It's the old lady!''
The widest CONSERVATION prevailed.
OF course, at the moment, all this was
Greek to us, as we had only heard
mothers fragmentary CALCULATIONS, and
seen her face of wrath. Mother cried
out for Lulu; she raved; she stormed.
Bit by bit we pieced the story together
Frank SomerindySe had been making
love to Lulu through the telephone!
We had mauvais quart d'heure be-
fore Lulu came in, breathless, painting.
by the back door. No wonder the
child was SO eager to get back to the
telephone.
'sLulur' began mother, in an awful
tone. But before Lulu had time to be
frightened, or even to blush, the front
door opened, and handsome Frank
Somerindyke stood before us.
Madam" he began, bravely adj
vancing, hat in hand, with the light of
youth, truth and courage in his big
blue eyes, 81 have said to you what
acknowledge l ought never to have
said to your daughter without your
leave: but l will stand by it. I love
her with all my heart. and, please God,
I can make her happy if you will give
her to me. | beg your pardon If l
have said whatw unbecOming to you;
and | think if you will forgive me and
say yes, Lulu will, too"
"lndeed | WILL" said Lulu, spring
inc to him, and nesting in his arms.
we I'll Stoou oaSolly S1HIHS' We h"u
never seen love scene before, except
on the stage, and aunty was weeping
with sympathy and excitement. Mother
was taken by surprise, touched, soft
ened. She thought of Franks words:
"Our love will bridge the Dyke" and
the bitterness of years died away in an
instant. her own fine humOr coming
ont as her great heart warmed toward
the pair of happy, naughty children.
II suppose" she said at last, las
YOU remarked to me just now, you
would like to hear my sweet voice say,
Yes so say it"
And just then the telephone bell
rang.-Julia II. Chad,Cic5, in Harper s
BdzGr.