The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1886-04-02

now how changed! She would not dare
to call this newcomer, who seemed al
ways rushed with business, and the
night operator ut Fairfield had slipped
into ier lovers chair quite naturally,
and tainted her with many an insinua-
ton whenever she asked for information
or showed willingness TO converse.
Sitting one afternoon brooding over
the past and dreaming of the far west
she was aroused from the lethargy by
her instrument Gathering out her office
call, and continuing to repeat the same
until she had duplicated the letters in
answer
"Good evening, Miss N. 1 learned
yesterday through Ned Owens, night
man at Fairfield, that you were lady
operator. Why have you not called me
before this and driven away the spring
fever with your sprightliness?" said the
same little sounder that had been toll
ing funeral knell for so long.
''Good evening"" was Nellie's timid
response. You seemed always occu-
pied and feared to intrude."
"Ha, ha," ratified the relay and
sounder, both seeming to enjoy the
ClldHOC llut Ilul COllt ONCI luClll.
"You are mistaken. Business is dull
enough here How do you pass your
leisure time? do not hear you us often
as | did-as -ahem!-the lady
operator on the &. a. A. line where |
came from"
"Most any way" replied Nellie. 81
crochet and make verses sometimes
when there is a lull on the line" Then
the demon of her old self came back to
her and revived her spirits. ''How pref
tily you send" wrote the dainty fin
gers. $50 ahead. love to hear you"
Thanks" said the new operator, be-
ginning to make each sentence more
complex and throwing alternate reiec-
tons of sunshine and shadows into
them, which fairly dazzled Nellie's pc.
etic nature and made an electric tremor
creep along her nerves and flash through
every fibre of her hungry heart. Il
hope to have many more such chats
with you. Goodnight Some ones call
ing on No. g."
Thus it was that within the space of
half an hour, Nellie's heart had under
gone reaction, and something like the
old merriment crept into her bright
eyes. Every day brought warmer SUM-
shine into her life, which was fast chas-
ing away the shadow that darkened it.,
and all because she was loved by a
stranger-the new operator. Try as she
would, she could not help associating
him with her truant lover. AT times
their touches upon the key were the same
and their expressions facsimiles. One
day she assayed to ask in q seemingly
indifferent tone:
did you ever know 'B,' who worked
days ut 'Fd?' "
''Know whom?" clicked the instru-
ment in return.
''Rob Price," replied Nellie with a
tremble upon the last dot.
"Ha! The Ounce who broke his heart
over your piece of fun with Nedp |
should say had heard of him few
times. | understand ne is burying him.
self in mining camp out west, and his
health is declining. Weeds must have
sunshine us well us flowers, you know;
but say, don't make me jealous by try
ing to resuwect him. May l come up
tomorrow and see you? | have friend
who is going to Milldale and would like
to accompany him." said the new ope-
rator.
Certainly, rctorted the Milldalo Of
fce$lnd Nellie began to smooth her
brown hair and arrange the papers upon
her desk as if it were dawn instead of
twilight
That night her dreams were trouble
some, and when the morning looked in
the window there were tears upon her
lashes. She made u hasty toilet and
sauntercd off to the Office, wishing that
q wreck would delay the early train.
She had just unlocked the door and
stood talking to little Jack, who was
caroling in his cage, when the train
whistled. The engine pulled up slowly
to the platform, and Ned Owens came
bounding into the room, kissing her I'M
til her cheeks were aglow with bushes.
"Nell," he said, 81 beg thousand
pardons for abandoning you as did,
but have n surprise for you," and
throwing the door wide open he pre-
sented to her the new operator-Robin
Price.
There he Stood with extended arms,
looking handsomer than ever, with the
same soft hair curling over his brow
Nellie uttered little shrek and fell
in his arms.
Years and years have slipped by since
then. Nellie is now happy mother,
who draws her children about her at
twilight and tells them stories of her
truant lover, of Ned, and the New Ope-
rator.-J. l. NJ, IN Chicago Tribune.