Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1884-06-19

one drawback. Inc 1OyGO IaQlly HSAO
very considerate, Miss George espe-
pecially so, but my darling Agnes was
haunted with the fear that they would
think her visit to them was only to en-
iov nv society, and was constantly sug-
costing that we should "ioin the family
in the sitting-room." Old Mrs. Peyton
was a bore, but mild one-paterfamil-
las an unmitigated one; Miss George
was benignant, but slightly 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 resem-
blance to one of the Sistine cherubs. He
seemed a quiet little chap, with sweet
innocence of expression 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 telephone
bell in our Office rang sharply. This
was of frequent occurrence, and Clark
sons desk was stationed near it to save
time in answering the call The rest of
us scarcely looked up as the familiar
"Hullo!' was shouted, or the concluding
Gail right! I'll tell Mr.. Gruf1and. Good
by!" But this morning Clarkson turned
to me with: "Ehis is for you, Dixon"
Accordingly I shouted "Hullo" and in
return heard Miss Georges voice;
els that you, Mr.. Dixen?" Agnes
is here and wants to try to speak to
you"
Then heard her giving directions.
"Stand little nearer; press this close to
your ear-sO."
In return heard a giggle, and my Az
nes' voice exclaiming: ooh, oh! It ticIzles
my earpi Then more directions from
Miss Peyton, and at last the sweetest
voice in the world began in as nearly as
might be stentOrian roar:
as that really you, Harry? Isn't this
perfectly lovely? Are you sure they can't
hear in the officer"
"Well," from Georgia, "I should say
they certainly could, if you shout like
that"
Harry" in half whisper, eff you are
sure it's you, and no one else can hear, I
want to tell you something. Do you re-
member that queer Miss Blake in Aiken?
Do you hear me, Harry"
"Yes,'' 1 returned.
Then another little giggle. isn't it
too funny? Do you know, Harry, now
that see how to use it, I am going to
talk to you ever so often. Won't it be
how stupid. Oh, [ know Miss Blake.
Well, she has just sent me the love-
lest"
Here Clarkson muttered, cold Gruf7s
coming, and knowing he would ask an
explanation of my receiving the tele-
phone message, | was obliged to abrupt
ly interrupt: II must go now"-I had
almost said "my darling" "Tell me the
rest this evening"
"But, Harry" 1 heard a grieved little
voice say; but Mr.. G1uffiand's footsteps
were too near, and I hung the receiver
upside down, and hurried back to my
desk.
All day worked 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. Gruffland's
hearing I might be called upon to answer
some of her chatter, was still worse.
made up my mind that I must make
Agnes understand that very night that
she could not amuse herself in that way,
and did so gently, but resolutely. l
described ClarksOn's ear, and l took some
liberties with it. 1t would be Just like
the wretch to receive all her little con-
fdences, and retail them for the amuse-
ment of the clerks.
Old Gruff was an ogre, capable of dis
missing me without warning, if did not
attend every minute to my business.
Our hopes of happiness depended upon
his good pleasure. Miss Peytor was
cool and dignifed. I suppose she knew
Her sweet lips trembled little, and her
eyes were suspiciously dim. I longed to
have her alone for little while to COM
fort her, as I knew could, but there was
no chance, for, although Miss George
relented sufficiently to go 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 beautiful but sleepy
dark eyes.
And yet the next day the same thing
occurred. Mr.. GrufHand was there, and
looked up from his papers with a glance
of disapproval as 1 took Clarkson's place
at the telephone. My ,'Hullop' was
rather savage.
"Oh, Harry, do forgive me. Indeed,
1 felt so sorry last night, and wanted to
tell you so; but you see Ralph was there.
Pm all alone now. Oh, Harry, won't you
forgive me?
"Of course I returned, feeling Gruf7s
eyes burning unpleasantly on the nape
of my neck.
ooh, Harry, dear, don't talk like that
to me. Do say you love me-"
Was there ever such a child? felt
like cold-blooded wretch as hurriedIy
replied:
Jan right. I'll come up as soon as 7
can. Very busy now. Good byeP
I felt, rather than heard, little sob at
the other end of the wire. Gruff said
nothing, but was doomed to another
miserable day. I managed to ask Clark
son if I 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 hurried to the Peytons'
determined to see her alone. She came
running into the hall to meet me, bright