The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1884-02-29
FRANK VARNEY'S CHOICE.

Il r. .aI lf . L - = y i5.<s.
The hot glare Of the afternoon sun
streamed into the dingy, crowded wait
ing-room, and seemed to concentrate
all its rays on the tiny enclosure in the
corner which served for the telegraph
Office. Il
II was hot, dusty, and uncomfortable,
and the spirits of the little operator
were at the lowest ebb. She was SO
tired of it all, tired of the noise and con-
fusion, and the staring, unmannerly
crowd; tired even Of the ceaseless clat-
ter of the instruments that she had once
thought so musical.
"Where arc your blanks?" said q
CHEEKY, manly voice ut the little receiv-
ing window. ooh, beg pardon, here
they are" And then moment later
"What beastly pens you telegraph peo-
pie always have! Do you buy oil the
defunct pens of the public schools for
the use of your patrons?"
She raised her head impatiently, and
encountered a pair of misclievous brown
eyes, that we're regarding her with
rather perplexed look. &
As he met her eyes, lie redeemed
little, and said:
"Can you send this message through
for me at oncc!"
eyes, sir. Thank you!"
"A very warm day. Good afternoon"
| The straw hat was lifted from his
brown curls for moment: and then
after smother prolonged stare he was
gone.
Laura Arnold looked after him with
a tumult of pain in her heart.
And it was thus they met after five
years of separation-they who had been
such friends in the old days. How silly
she had been to think of him, and cherish
his fond. foolish, parting words, all these
years! And now, when at last they
met, he had no word of greeting for her,
only the careless courtsey of stranger.
She knew lie had been successful, and
was eminent in his profession. Perhaps
he did not care to recognize his old
playfellow, for life had not gone smooth
~ with her since they parted; and she
told herself proudly that she was glad
he had made no sign.
81 beg your pardon" said a voice at
her elbow; and she turned quickly to
see him back again. "Surely I cannot
be mistaken. 1t is Laura Arnold!"
Eyes, it is Laura Arnold" she said,
US she put her hand in his. "I am very
glad to see you, DR.. Varney."
ut was Laura and frank between
us two, once upon tine," he said,
holding the slim white hand closely in
his. care you going to put me at
arm's-length because I did not at once
recognize my little gypsy in the very
proper, not to say stately, young lady
who looked ready to snub me at the
slightest provocationy
Laura and Frank let it be, them"
she said brightly. ''But what las
brought you from home this hot wealth.
er?"
"The medical convention and-other
business; but please may I come inside,
and talk to YOU comfortably?"
"lf you will make yourself as compact
as possible. This Office was not intend
ed for the accommodation of people who
have six feet of perpentlicularity to dis
pose Of"
He came in and sat down opposite
her, watching her while she worked, and
making gay comments OH the people as
they passed.
What handsome, goodly face it was,
and how pleasant to have linn there,
chatting Of the old home and friends,
until she seemed TO smell tile mignonette
in the old garden, and hear the babble
of the little stream in the meadow, where
they two had spent so many happy
llours!"
''Do ouknow, he said, as lie watched
her pen glide swiftly over the paper,
"the telegraph has always been the
mystery of mysteries to me? I have not
a much better idea OF it now than J. had
when We pounded the poles, olrour way
home from school. to hear what was 60
ing on over the wires"
1T is not hard to understand she
said, laughingly. "What were You do
ing when YOU should have been study
ing your philosophy and familiar sci
ence? You were always All idle boy.
II will be good, now have found my
little mentor again." lie said, leaning
forward, with u dangerous fascination
in the brown eyes. Il wonder how 1
have managed to rub along all these
years without you"
II think You have borne up wonder
fully. You don't seem to have peaked
and. .pined."
s'Well, no-that is not in my line.
But that is more than [ can say for you,
Laura. Suppose we make bargain?
We will exchange trade secrets. You
shall explain this mystery of the tele-
graph, Of which you are the high priest
ess, and will tell you how to get back
some of the old-time roses III those palo
cheeks of yours"
agreed" said Laura merrily.
"When shall we commence?"
eat once My first prescription is
that you shall go out with me for
drive tomorrow morning."
THAT would be very pleasant; but l
am afraid it is not possible. must be
here at eight o'clock"
Certainly; and / will be Mt your
boarding -house at six. We will have
two hours in the pleasantest part of tho
day, and / will set you down here at
eight o'clock"
''It would he very nice. said Laura
wistfully.
sOf course it would" lie said, rising
to go, and holding her hand fast; ''you
will come, Laura, for the sake of Auld
Lang Syne?"
Fog the sake of Auld Lang Syne,
then, she said, rising blusling DIM.
pied face and shining eyes to him, very
different from the woe-begone counte-
nance that had greeted him when he
come.
Dr.. Varncy'shandsome thoroughbreds
were at the door of the shabby little
cottage where Laura boarded punctual-
ly at six the following morning, and she
was waiting for him.
The prescription seemed to Ike work
ing wonders already. for certainly there
was no lack of roses in her bright face
that morning.
What's pleasant drive it was, out of
the smoke and dust of the noisy town,
into the cool sweetness of the country,
where the apple-trees were scattering
their perfumed blossoms in snowy
showers at every breath of wind. and
the birds were singing a joyful greeting