The southern sentinel. (Winnfield, La.) 1883-1910, 1886-05-28
e1ooed ths door, and No. . went whis-
zing around the bend short one passen-
ger.

49,
on her cheeks, kissed away the flush and
left her face wan and expressionless.
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 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 q 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. 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
tolling funeral knel for SO long.
Good evening"" was Nellie's timid
response. .sYou seemed always occu-
pied and feared to intrude."
.ha, ha," ratified the relay and
sounder, both seeming to enjoy the
change that had come over them. 'sYou
are mistaken. Business is dull enough
here. How do you pass your leisure
time? / do not hear you as often as |
did-as Gid-ahemLth lady opera
tor on the C. & A. line where I came
srom.n
..Most any way replied Nellie.
81 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. Show
prettily you send" wrote the dainty
fingers. go ahead. I love to hear
vol"
Thanks" said the operator, begin
ming to make each sentence more COM
plex and throwing alternate reflections
Of sunshine and shadows into them,
which fairly dazzled Nellie's poetic ma
ture and made an electric tremor creep
along her nerves and fash through every
fiber of her hungry heart. II hope to
have many more such chats with you.
Goodnight Some ones calling 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 q warmer
sunshine into her life, which was fast
chasing away the shadow that darkened
Il, and all because she was loved by q
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 fac-similes.
One day she essayed to ask, in q SEEM
ingly Indifferent tone:
s.Did you ever know B, who worked
days 1t sFdp'"
ssKnow whomr" clicked the instru.
ment in return.
Rob Price," replied Nellie, with q
tremble upon the last dot.
'.Ha! The Ounce who broke his heart
over your piece Of fun with Neda l
should say I had heard Of him . few
times. / understand he is burying him.
salt In mining camp out West, and his
health h declining. Weeds must have
sunshine - well q flowers, you know:
but say, don't make me jealous by try
ing to resurrect him. Nay come mp
tomorrow and zee your / have > friend
Who = going to Milldalo and would ike
to accompany him, y said the now
operator.
= Certainly" retorted the Milldale
ohlce, and Nellie began to smooth her
brown hair and arrange the papers up
on her desk = Il it were dawn instead
Of twilight
That night her dreams were trouble
Some, and when the morning looked in
tho window there we're tears upon her
lashea She made . hasty toilet and
sguntered on to the once, wishing that
= wreck would delay The carly r,in.
She had just unlocked the door ana
cerolmg in his cage. whom tho train
whistaed The engine pulled up slowly
10 the platform, and Ned Owens came
bounding into 3he room, kissing her
until hee cheef1 were aglow with
= =