The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1886-05-19
THE NEW OPERATOR.

Not as do many lovers, for both
were operators and had charge o
offices whose wires were too busy tC
permit any war of words; but Just
enough space had occurred that
morning for each to make the Other
miserable. There had long been
an affinity between the two of q
stronger nature than usually exists
between telegraph operators. Mel.
lies tender touches upon the key
could alone quiet the nervous twiteh-
ing CT Robins arm when worn out
by the rush of messages and train
orders. She it was who seasoned
the magnetism Of dots and dashes
with a balm that kept his heart
sweet and wholesome. This she Of
ten did, weaving the good mornings
and good evenings into lengthy tete-
a.tetes.
1t SC happened one evening that
Ned Owens. the operator at Pine
Bluff, little station intervening be-
tween Milldale and Fairfield, made
use of his ground wire, thus cutting
off all communication between the
lovers, but giving himself free scope
to talk to bis pretty and scintilatlng
cousin. She, however, was not kept
in the dark as to the proceedings,
and together they invented scheme
10 make the devoted Rob Price jeal-
Gus.
1t will be such fun to know that
Rob is fretting over trouble he be-
lieves to be caused by fallen tree,
said the handsome Ned, his black
eyes twinkling with mischief.
And |, in trying to round off his
surmises, will give sudden hint OF
the truth. get red in the face, and
appeer much confused" continued
the naughty Nellie, tapping her lit
tie foot anxiously against the en-
broidered footstool that adorned the
little office.
Poor Nellie Trumont! Little does
she dream that long hours of suffer
ing must atone for short intervals OF
heartlessness and coquetry-
So every day the ground wire
went on just at the time when Robin
had a few minutes of rest to talk
with his affianced, but no answers
came to his repeated calls.
There is a ground north Of me, "
he repeated, and reported it TO the
main office. After testing the wires
for some time the trouble was locat-
ed at Pine Bluff. Explanation was
asked for. and the wholeseuled Ned,
confessing that something had be-
witched him in Milldale, was for
given at the headquarters and the
matter dismissed.
But into the heart of Robin Price
crept a dark suspicion, which no
syllogism of his sweetheart seemed
true enough to obliterate. So deep
jealousy budded in his life, that each
day unfolded and perfected.
q will leave her" be muttered.
Why toll and sweat out an exist
ence for 4 creature who will perhaps
wreck my manhood. as she has
threatened my youth? ? And with
these thoughts animating his pur-
pose he seized the key and called
Md" signing Fd," those being
the letters that designated the two
stations. Milldale ard Fairfield.
Nellie recognized the stroke and,
springing from her pet birds cage to
the table, opened tie key and, after
making several excited dots, signed
her office call Md"
Il leave on No. % for California"
were the words that the little brass
sounder sang out. "To-night's ex
press brings you a package and
letter that explains all. You have
been false" the little instrument
continued 20 sing. ard then came a
pause and the circuit closed.
Burning shame ard Indignation
that he should accost her thus on a
line where perhaps several dozen
were listening first seized her, and
pride kept whispering in poor Mel
lies ear. Opening again the key
she yehemently fingered it a mo-
ment and then plainly and leisurely
drummed out the most provoking
20. k
Bot o how she longed to cell it
back How willingly she would
have told him all, not trying to hide
the scslding tears that forced their
way down her burning cheeks. But
il was too late.
Robins fears were now confirmed.
He was boarding the train for his
western tour when some one slapped
him on the shoulders, exclaiming.
4" Hello. old pard what's the latest
from Milldale?" But, seeing the
desperate glare in his rivals eyes,
he drew back foot or two.
"You coward" groaned Robin.
81 How dare you meddle with my
heart and now openly try to humil-
late me?n But as be entered the
coach Ned seized bis arm, saying,
4" Don't be rash, Rob. Come back
into the office and / will make ev-
erything as clear as my conscience"
They did go back into the office.
closed the door, and No. % went
whizzing around the bend short one
passenger.
Poor Nellie The next few weeks