Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1885-03-13
NEW VOL. 2O-NO. o.

ner when mere boy, ana Agnes asheu
me il l reslly, really loved her best.
Ah, mel what happy evening IL was!
Again the next day the telephone an
noysnces began, but | felt sure Of my
ground, and told Clsrkson he could re-
fuse to listen. Imagine my surprise
when he turned to me with clever i'm
itstion of Agnes voice, saying:
"She is quite sure Harry will come
when he knows she wants to talk 10 him
about 'Cretis.'"
Twas thunderstruek Lucretia Chase
lived in Vermont; was morally sure
no one in the city knew OF her existence
mo Ole but Agnes! rushed TO the
instrument. Ii was the same clear
girls voice. How could any one have
known that Cretia possessed some i'd
iotic lines had once written her-any
one but Agnesg Yet now | heard them
repeated:
''oh, Cretia fsirest valentine,
wilt thou accept this hand OF miner
A smaller gift my soul forbids;
But tens the number of my kldss"
Ijerked away in anger and surprise,
only to meet old Gruff's grim glance.
"If this thing goes on, Mr.. Dixon, ii
might be well for you and Mr.. Clarkson
to change desks!"
l knew what that implied, and my
heart sank to my boots.
81 do not understand 1t myself" l
replied. "I assure you, sir. that am
exceedingly annoyed. | will not an-
swer 1t again"
al will myself, sir" he growled, and
| went back TO my desk to upset my
ink-bottle, to make mistakes In my ac-
counts and torture myself with the con-
yiction that since no one but Agnes
could have sent the message, she was
teasing me without realizing the fatal
consequence TO our happiness. And all
day Mr.. Grutfland would answer that
telephone. That some of the messages
were meant for me could tell, aud that
they must be utter nonsense / could
conjecture from his occasional com
ments: "'By jimminy johnson! is
remarkable expression for young
lady, Mr.. Dixon"
Ii would be TOO long to tell the story
Of these days In detail. Sometimes
there would be respite, and then the
nonsense would begin again. IL was
larks for Clarkson and the rest, but to
me IL seemed as ii the bell OF tile tele-
phone was ringing the knell OF all my
bright hopes. Agnes assured me oil her
Innocence, aud Miss Peyton was ready
with explanations they had shopping,
or calling, or practicing duets. But l
could see that cOolness had come be-
tween Agnes and me. She feared that
[ doubted her, and what could /
thinkS Again and again the messages
referred TO what had said To her when
quite alone. Could she have repeated
my confidence?
At the office preparations for the new
business were being hurried on, aud not
one word had been laid to NE Of promo
zion. To crown all, Agnes Informed me
one evening that she knew som'
friends going directly to Aiken, and
thought IL best TO secure their escort.
[ passed wretched evening, but lett,
determined TO make a desperate eHort
To clear the mystery. Agnes had toId
me that day, so begged of at the OF
flee. reached the house at 10. aud per-
shading the servant that | wanted 0
rest. aud would let myself out when
was ready, managed TO conceal myself
In a closet In the hall, where waited
four mortal hours. At last | was re-
warded. A light step came through the
hall, chair was drawn to the tele-
phone, and a clear voice, wonderfully
ike Agnes, called:
"Please connect with Grufilane q
Co."
Waiting only long enough to let him
actually begin conversation III his usuai
style, | rushed out, and, catching the
culprit by the arm, bestowed aresound-
ing box upon the ear Of the astonished
Mr.. Raphael. The little imp! This was
his revenge for his well-deserved snubs.
| have no doubt he had heard every
word of my conversation with Agnes.
or course the Peytons were distressed
and apologetic, and Agnes was ptrsua-
ded not to hurry away, and old Gruh
relented and get the promotion In due
time, but never could endure the sight
of that cherubic boy. / verify believe
that the box / bestowed upon him was
his only punishment, and / rejoice TO
think it WAS such singer
If this story has a moral, IL Is short
one. The more innocent aud guileless
boy looks, the less he ia TO be trusted.
Panther and Natslesnake.
,rL.no .,o., eat m, a aattaa In one porn-