The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1886-04-14

lett her face wan and eXpresslonless.
Back and forth she went to the little
Office, which, like neglected flower,
had lost its freshness. The canary was
dropping upon the perch from thirst and
hunger, the desk was in confusion. and
every thing about the room reflected her
feelings. The spring time had made
many changes upon the wire. Ned had
deserted his post and a new operator
had taken charge of his Office, which
had always been kind of playground
for her, where she gamboled at will
But now how changed! She would not
dare to call this newcomer, who seemed
always rushed with business, and the
night operator at Fairfield had slipped
| into her lovers chair quite naturally,
and tainted her with many an insinua-
ton whenever she asked for informa-
ton or showed a willingness to con.
verse.
Sitting one afternoon brooding over
the past and dreaming of the Far
West she was aroused from the lethargy
by her instrument clatter ing out her
office call, and continuing to repeat the
same until she had duplicated the let
tiers in answer.
GOOD evening, Miss N. 1 learned
yesterday through Ned Owens, night
man at Fairfield; that you were a lady
operator. Why have you not called me
before this and driven away the spring
fever with your sprightliness?n said
the same little sounder that had been
tolling funeral knell for so long.
"Good evening"" was Nellie's timid
response. "You seemed always occu-
pied and l feared to intrude.
"ha, ha," ratified the relay and
sounder, both seeming to enjoy the
change that had come over them. "You
3 are mistaken. Business is dull enough
, here. How do you pass your leisure
I time? I do not hear you as often as l
9 did-as I did-ahem!-th lady opera
tor on the G. & A. line where | came
srom.''
S "Most any way" replied Nellie.
e II crochet and make verses sometimes
when there is lull on the line" Then
: the demon of her old self came back to
= her and revived her spirits. Chow
S prettily YOU send," wrote the dainty
> fingers. go ahead. love to hear
. you"
"Thanks," said the operator, begin
5 ming to make each sentence more COM
= pick and throwing alternate reflections
of sunshine and shadows into them,
g which fairly dazzled Nellie's poetic ma
e ture and made an electric tremOr creep
n along her nerves and flash through every
IS fiber of her hungry heart. Il hope to
l. have MANY more such chats with you.
? Goodnight. Some ones calling oh
Is No. g."
D. Thus it was that within the space o.
o half an hour Nellie's heart had under
l, gone reaction, and something like the
a Old merriment crept into her brigh
eyes. Every day brought warmer
10 sunshine into her life, which was tas
lie chasing away the shadow that darkenet
n it, and all because she was. loved by
u stranger-the new operator. Try as sh'
g would, she could not help associatinl
him with her truant lover. At time
r their touches upon the key We're tn
he same and their expressions fac-similes
ar One day she essayed TO ask, in seem
y ingly Indifferent tone:
~ 7.Did YOU ever know b, who worke
al days at 'Fd?'"
le ment in return.
st "Rob Price," replied Nellie, with
- tremble upon the last dot
ne "Ha! The Ounce who broke his heal
ne over your piece of fun with Ned?
'st should say 1 had heard of him fe'
n times. l understand he is burying hin
self in a mining camp out West, and h
ne health is declining. Weeds must hav
IN sunshine as well as flowers, you know
ne but say, don't make me jealous by tr..
ne inc to resurrect him. May / come u
'r, tomorrow and see you? have frien
ng who is going to Milldale and would liz
at to accompany him." said the ne
49, operator. ,,.,,-
ice Office. and Nellie began to smooth HI
'g- brown hair and arrange the papers u
On on her desk as if it were dawn instes
lea of twilight. ,,
nd That night her dreams were troubl
some, and when the morning looked
ny the window there were tears upon n
a lashes. She made hasty toilet al
my sruntered off to the Office, wishing tn
my wreck would delay the early tral
nj She had lust unlocked the door al
nd stood talking to little Jack, who W
ng caroling in his cage, when the ira
ia whistled. The engine pulled up slow
to the platform, and Ned Owens car
nd, bounding into the room, kissing h
to until her cheeks were aglow WI
AK bushes.
Of "Nell," he said, II beg thousal
pardons for abandoning you as ! dI
H." but | have surprise for you, al
ass throwing the door wide open ne pl
ess sented to her the new operator-Rot
na1 Price.
the There he stood, with extended arm
hen looking handsomer than ever, with
same soft hair curling over his brow.
hat Nellie uttered little shrek and +
inc in his arms.
u.s. y
ep' Years and years have slipped by sir
S Gn then. Nellie is happy mother, "
, I'M draws her children about her at twilie
ao and tells them stories OF her trus
oA lover, of Ned, and the New Operator
,ck, Chicago Tribune.
him
ears The Mystic Number Eleven.
ing
ms Falstaff's divinity of odd numbe