The Arizona sentinel., 1886-04-17
LOVE BY WIRE.
The Affair" Between the Opera
 tors at "Md." and Ed"

tors at Md" and Ed.
 Nellie and Rob had quarreled No as do many lovers, tor both were opera tors and had charge of offices whose wires were too busy to permit of any war of words; but just enough space had occurred that morning for each tc make the other miserable. There had long been an affinity between the two oi stronger nature than usually exists between telegraph operators. Nellie's tender touches upon the key could alone quiet the nervous twitching of Robin arm when worn out by the rush oi messages and train orders. She it was who seasoned the magnetism of dots and dashes with balm that kept his heart sweet and wholesome. This she often did weaving the good mornings and good evenings into lengthy tete-a- tete.
 It so happened one winter evening that Ned Owens, the operator at Pine Bluff, a little station intervening between z Milldale and Fairfield, made use of his ground wire, thus cutting off all con- munication between the lovers, but giv- ing himself free scope to talk to his pretty and scintillating cousin, She, however, was not kept in the dark as to the proceedings, and together they con- cocted scheme to make the devoted Rob Price jealous.
 ''It will be such fun to know that Rob is fretting and fuming over a trouble that he believes to be caused by fallen pole or dislodged tree," said the hand some Ned, his black eyes twinkling mischief
 'And I, in trying to round off his sur mises, will give a sudden hint of the truth, get red in the face, and appear much confused, continued the naughty Nellie, tapping her pretty foot anxiously agains the embroidered foot-stool that adorned the little office.
 Poor Nellie Trumonti Little does she dream that long hours of suffering must atone for short intervals of heartless- ness and coquetry. So every day the ground wire went on, just at the time when Robin had few minutes of rest to talk with his affianced, but no an- swers came to his repeated calls.
 There is ground north of me-" he repeated, and reported it to the main office. After testing the wires for some time the trouble was located at Pine Bluff. An explanation was asked for, and the whole-souled Ned, confessing that something had bewitched him at Milldale, was pardoned at headquarters, aud the matter dismissed
 But into the heart of Robin Price crept dark suspicion, which no syllog- ism Of his sweetheart seemed true enough to obliterate. So adeep jealousy budded in his life, that each day unfo1ded and perfected
 .1 will leave her," 1" he muttered. "Why toll and sweat out an existence for a creature who will perhaps wreck my manhood, as she has threatened my youthP" And with these thoughts ami mating his purpose he seized the key and called '.Md," signing '.Fd," those being the letters that designated the two sta- tions, Milldale and Fairfield.
 Nellie recognized the stroke and, springing from her pet birds cage to the table, opened the key and, after mak- ing several excited dots, signed her of flee call, Md
 '1 leave on No 23' for California" '" were the words that the little brass sounder sang out, ''To-night's express brings you package and a letter that explains all. You have been false, the instrument continued to sing, and then came a pause and the circuit closed.
 Burning shame and indignation that m chDr1 L where perhaps several dozen were lis tening first seized her, and pride kept whispering in poor Nellie's ear. Open- ing again the key, she vehemently fin gered it moment and then plainly and 1eisurely drummed out the most proyok- ing 70. K"
 But O how she longed to call it back! How willingly she would have told him all, not trying to hide the scalding tears that forced their way down her burning cheeks. But it was too late. Robins fears were now confirmed. He was boarding the train for his Western tour when some one slapped him on the shoulder, exclaiming: Hello, old pardl What's the latest from Milldale?'' But, seeing the desperate look in his rivals eye, he drew back foot or two.
 You coward" groaned Robin. | "How dare you meddle with my heart and now openly try to humiliate meP" But as he entered the coach Ned seized his arm, saying: Don't be rash, Bob. Come back into the office and I will | make every thing as clear as my con- science
 They did go back into the office, closed the door, and No. 23 went whiz- zing around the bend short one passen- ger.
 Poor Nellie! The next few weeks were long and empty. The spring