The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1884-06-27
AT THE TELEPHONE.

90 WIG haFPIeSU lldil III tle Guy I'll
L folded and laid away in my pocket
book a letter from the dearest girl j,
the world, and jumped on the horse cal
en- route for my Office.
Some months had passed since I saw
my Agnes for the first time at dinner Al
Peytons. I had frequently met Mis-.
George Peyton in society, and hat
been several times invited to her recep-
tons. so l was not surprised to receive
n day an invitation to dine with hel
informally" to meet a young lady
from Aiken, S. G. OF course Ipresent,
ed myself at this informal dinner in
full evening dress. where 1 met some
other gentlemen iii similar attire-Clark.
son was n of them-aad a few young
ladies, and was introduced to my Agnes.
Ii l could only make you see her as
she appeared to me thatnight--so fresh
and blooming; the blue of her cleal
peaceful eyes; the delicious curve of the
delicate lips! But enough that then
and there 1 yielded, and became her al.
dent adorer.
From the first she distinguished me
with her favor. Twas allowed to claim
the best dances; they We're 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-
hsh a branch department in another
part of the city, and proposed to make
one OF their clerks o junior partner and
manager OF the new concern. I had
been the longest in the employ, and had
reason to think l was regarded with
favor by"Old Gruff"-as Mr. GrutHand,
the senior partner, was called-and he
would be the one to make the promo
hon and settle the question of salary.
Indeed, for some weeks I had seen
that he was working the management
into my hands, sol felt justified in writ
ing to Agnes, urging QUIZ 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-
nure but delightful meeting at the sta
ton, and an enchanting 70 minutes,
until l delivered her to Miss Georges
arms at the Peyton's door.
Then followed days of devotion to
work, followed by evenings of unal-
loyedbliss. Isay "unalloyed" but there
was one drawback. The Peyton fam
lily We're very considera5e, 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 a bore, but a mild
one-paterfamilias an imitigated one:
Miss George was benignant, but slight
ly tiresome. There was only one other
member of the family, a pretty little
fellow named Ralph, but the girls had
takento calling him Raphael, from some
faneied resemblance to one of the Sis
tine cherubs. He seemed a quiet little
chap. with a sweet mnocenceo of express
ion and demeanor, who posed a good
deal of the time with his cheek on his
hand after the amer of. the clerub
aforesaid.
Agnes had been in the oily a few
weeks when, one morning. the tele-
phone bell in our Office rang sharply.
This was of frequent occurrence and
C1arkson's desk was stationed near it to
i've time in answering the call. The
rest of us scarcely looked up as the ia
miliar "Hullo!" was shouted, or tie
concluding "All right! I'll tell MI.
Grutfiand. Goodby!" But this morn
ing Clarkson turned to me with: "This
is for you, Dixon!" Accordingly 1
shouted "Hullo!" and in retaun heard
Miss Georgie's,voice:
as that you Mr.. Dixon? Agnes is
here and wants to try to speak to you"
Then l heard her giving directions.
"Stand a little nearer; press this close
to your ear-so."
Good morning" I called.
In return / heard a giggle, and my
Agnes voice, exclaiming; ooh, oh! It
tickles my earl" Then mere directions
from Miss Peyton, and at last the sweet
est voice in tile world began in as near
ly as might be a stentorian roar:
us that really you,. Harry? Isn't
this perfectly sweet? Are you sure
they can't hear in the office, Georgie?e
"Well from George, II should say
they certainly could, if you shout like
that"
Harry in a half vhis per, eff you
are SUR it's you, and that no one else
car hear, 1 want to tell you something.
Do you remember that queer Miss Hlake
in Allens Do you heef me, Harry"
"1es,mI returned.
Then another little giggle. "Isnt it
too funny? Do you know Harry, now
that I see how to use it, Tn, going
to talk to you ever SO often. Won't it
be frn? But where was i? Dear me
how stupid! Oh. I know, Miss Blake.
Well, she has iast sent me- the love
liest-"
Here Clarksoil mpttered, cold Gruf's
coming" and knowing he would ask an
explanation Of my receiving the tele-
phone essagas,Iw was obliged to abrubt-
" interrupt II must go now"-I had
almost said my darlins" "Tell me
the rest this evening"
But, Harry 1 heard in a grie,ed
little voice; but Mr.. Gruf1and's foot
steps We've too near. and I hung UP the
receiver upside down, and hurried back
to my desk.
All day i 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 wits.
pering in his great red ear covered me
with cold perspiration. Tie fear thai
in Nh. Grufland's hearing [ might be