Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1885-03-13

is that really you, Harry Isn't this
perfectly sweets Are you sure they
can't hear in the office, Georgies"
"Well," from George, Il should say
they certainly could, If you shout like
that"
Harry" in half whisper, eli you
are sure It's really you, and that no one
else can hear. | want to tell you some
thing. Do you remember that queer
Miss Blake In Aiken9 Do you hear me,
Harry?"
"Yes," returned.
Then another little glggle. "Isn't 1t
too funny? Do you know, Harry, now
that | see how to use it, Im going TO
talk TO you ever so often. Won't it be
fun? But where was 4? Dear me, how
stupid! Oh, know, Miss Blake. Well,
she has just sent me the loveliest-"
Here Clarkson muttered, "Old Gruff's
coming" and knowing that he would
ask an explanation of my receiving the
telephone messages, was obliged to
abruptly interrupt: II must 60 now
had slmost said "my darling" Tell
me the rest this evening""
"But, Harry !" heard in a grieved
little voice; but Mr.. Gruffland's foot
steps were too near, and | hung up the
receiver upside down, and hurried back
to my desk.
All day worked in nervous despera-
tion. Would she try to resume the con-
versationY Every time the bell rang
glanced at Clarkson. The thought that
Il might be her voice whispering in his
great red ear covered me with colo per-
spiration. The fear that in Mr.. Gruff-
lands hearing l might be called upon
to answer some of her chatter was still
worse. must make up my mind that
must make Agnes understand that
very night that she could not amuse
herself in that way, and did so, gently
but resolutely. l described CIarkson's
ear, and | took some liberties with It,.
1t would be just like the wretch to re-
ccive all her little condolences, and re-
tail them for the amusement 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 PeytOn was
cool and dignitled. l suppose she knew
was exaggerating. Agnes locke /
hurt. Her sweet lips trrnbled little,
and her eyes were suspiciously dim. l
longed to have her alone for little
while to comfort her, as knew could |;
but there was no chance, for though
Miss George relented sufficiently TO go
upstairs TO write an 'important letter, y
Raphael was there, resting his elbow
OH the table, and looking up at Agnes
with an expression of deep pity In his
beautiful but sleepy darL eyes.
And yet, the next day the same thing
occurred. Mr.. Gruffland was there, and
looked up from his papers with glance
of disapproval rs took Clarkson's =
place at the telephone. My "Hullo!"
was rather savage.
"Oh, Harry! Do forgive me! Ia
deed, indeed felt so sorry last night,
and wanted to tell you so; but, you see,
Ralph was there. I'm all alone now.
Oh, Harry, won't you forgive me?"
"Of COURSE" | returned, feeling
Grufrs eyes burning unpleasantly on
the nape of my neck.
"Oh, Harry, dear, don't talk like that
to me. Do say you love me?"
Was there ever such child? | felt
like a cold-blooGed wretch as hurried
ly replied:
"All right. I'll come up as soUn as 4
can. Very busy now. Good-by!"
| felt. rather than heard, n little sob at
the other end of the wire. Gruf said
nothing, but was doomed to another
miserable day. 1 managed to ask Clark
son, If l was called again, to say could
not attend, and five times l 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
and loving, but the annoyances Of the
day had made me cross, and | said,
curtly:
Really, Agnes, 1t is very strange that
you don't understand that man can
not take his business hours to talk with
his friends. After all said last night,
l must say was surprised to be called
up again to-day"
Agnes stopped abruptly, and said,
with dignity:
81 do not understand you ~
"why, my dear little GIRL" said,
sobered by the change in her manner,
"I do not mean to be cro9s, but how
could / talk to you about my affection
or forgiveness through the telephone,
with all those fellows listening, to say
nothing of old Gruff?"
"But have not touched the telephone
to-day, Harry"
"Whatl" exclaimed.
George" called Agnes, stepping
back to the sitting-room, and / followed
to tell the story.
"It is very strange" said Miss Pey-
ton; "but, of course, it is some mistake.
The lines are out of order, or crossed
in some way. But mamma and Agnes
and l have been OUT shopping all day