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

Lulu. YES. Good-by."
Re-enter Lulu, blushing rather more
than usual.
"Who were you talking TOP" inquiries
Nan, with more curiosity than correct
ness.
Signs of embarrassment on Lulu's
face. The kitten, on an unauthorized
exploring expedition on the .mantel-
piece, slips, snatcheS frantically with
all its eighteen claws at the mantel
scarf. Crash, destruction, All our
thoughts are turned another way, and
Mans question remains unanswered.
We were becoming, as | said, more
content, though aunty could never
get over her nervous tremOrS at
the running fire of ''ting-ting-ting" to
which we were subjected. She always
thought it was our call-could not tell
twenty three from four, or even two
from one. and a call at a late hour OF
the evening sent her slenpleSs to bed.
One night we had retired very early,
after a fatiguing day. Jane and /,
after working very hard, were wakeful,
but we fell asleep at last, to wake some
hours later to the dazed consciousness
of hideous uproar. We clutched each
other nervOusly.
al saw light" said Jane.
81 heard a noiSe," said |.
We did indeed. We sprang up and
rushed downstairs. The telephone bell
was ringing furiOuSly, viciOusly, first
one number, then another, then all to-
gether. ceaselesS string of taps.
Mother. in ample white robes, like
Ristori as Lady(Macbeth. was there be-
fore us. s.Where is Lulu?" she de-
manded.
We looked around. Missy, Nan,
Jane and I, with and without slippers,
some in shawls, some in wrappers,
were there. Aunty, in her red sleep.
ing-wrapper, silk handkerchief tied
over her night-cap, shawl over all,
crouched on the lower step, shaking
more with fear than cold.
The unearthly racket went on. "Call
Lulu" repeated mother.
Lulu came, rosy with sleep, and very
cross. "BotherIn she said, when aunty
gasped out, Fire.
Il insist upon knowing what this
means,n said mother.
Hello" said Lulu to the transmitter.
"Whom do you want? What is it? Who
are you?"
The riaging went on fast and furious
"a string of fourS, string of twenty
threes and twos, and then hundred al
least at a breath.
Perhaps some children have got
hold of it." suggested Lulu, sulkily.
Children! at two o'clock a. m. p
| said mother, in a whitening tone.
perhaps our house is on fire. said
Missy, land they are ringing to warn
us. D"
$50 and see," said mother.
Nan and Lulu started on round
through the cellars. Jane and | went
| round the house outside looking for s
glare. All was calm, still and pitchy
dark: the unseen surf scarcely Kissed q;
it slid OF the rocks, which it strucl
with little velvety vbud. We re
entered the house; the telephone wa:
still ringing furiously, increasingly
Mother had placed herself on the sof;
with the air of one who means to stay
! Aunty had retreated to the top step
where she sat with an eye on the oper
door of her room. In voice faint
with terror she reiterated her belief il
supernatural agency. We all sat down
! For al hour. one dreary hour of bittel
November night, we sat and listened tt
that awful bell. Then it died away
gradually, with n few spasmodic taps
This settles it," said mother; Ito
morrow we get one of the other bells
which only repeats our own call. p"
We crept mp stairs cold and cross, ant
just as we closed our doors final tai
made us all start.
The new bell was put in next day
mother experimenting the operation
with much interest, making many in
quiries, and finally with great dignit.
sending the first message. We wer'