Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1891-10-01

but having deserted me in this manner
resolved TO think no more about her.
But missed her sorely. The man who
relieved her had "soured" in the bust
ness, besides being poor operator, and
often when trying to drum an obscure
message into his head, or listening to
his outbursts of temper, | longed for
the quick wit and genial disposition of
ISM"
Nearly a year passed away. Then
came the terrible yellow fever scourge
at New Orleans, and four lives that had
stood between me and fortune were
ended, and |, only AN operator in the
ranks, found myself the possessor of a
million.
| resigned my position and went south
in the fall to look after my property. |
disliked New Orleans, and was not will
ing to settle there; so | sold the estate,
bought lovely place in New Jersey, in
vested the balance in government
bonds, and started west, | had no near
relatives, but few friends, and somehow
the notion chung to me that | should like
to meet Miss Allison. Accordingly, one
raw November morning, | presented
myself at the San Francisco office and
asked for work. Usually managers re-
qure references, but as had chosen to
drop my last name and be known by my
middle name, Wentworth, of course l
could give none. However, a certain
presidential election was coming on,
operators were very scarce, and | was
given work without references the man
ager knew that | could easily be dis
charged if l did not suit.
Operating tables are usually divided
Nv, 90, - l., .,,tD cD,,,
compartments, thereby enabling four
operators to work at one table, the glass
serving to separate the sound of the in
struments, which would otherwise be
confusing. was given wire at such a
table, and found myself vis-a-vis to the
most beautiful girl | had ever seen. A
delicate white hand with beautiful nails
sent the dots and dashes flying over her
wire, while marvellous pair of gray
eyes, CHANGING an instant through the
glass, caught me staring at her, They
were instantly dropped, and feeling the
blood mounting my temples, | devoted
my attention to my work, which was not
light, for | had been given very fast
wire in order to test my ability. At
noon we ate our luncheon sitting at our
tables, and during half hour we were
tor, sauntering down the aisle, re-
marked.
"Miss Allison, let me present Mr..
Wentworth; as you are neighbors hope
you will be friends"
myself, my pulses bounding, while out
secured the long coveted introduction,
fanpjpI | chny11l 1Nlaip iIipU hnt
was sadly mistaken. She treated me
exactly as she did any one of the so men
who, with a dozen ladies, constituted the
day force.
[ had determined to win her love with
out revealing my identity, and to explain
afterward. 1t was no easy task. |
learned that her father was civil engi-
neer; that her mother was living; that
she had half dozen little brothers and
sisters, and that they all lived in a
modest house in a most respectable part
of the city. Beyond this learned but
little. However, after having known
Miss Allison perhaps six months, l Sc
cured her permission to call; this advan-
tage followed up.
| found her father and mother intelli-
gent and refined, and the handsome
piano and one or two choice pictures in
their little parlor gave evidence that they
had at some time been wealthy. But as
to that | did not care. Edith | knew to
be beautiful, refined and good More
than this, loved her, and should have
loved her regardless of any surround
lngs.
There came day at last when deter
mined to try my fate. 1t was Sunday,
and we were both off duty. l had taken
her to drive, and coming home in the
twilight | asked her to be my wife and
received a very decided refusal. | was
thoroughly angry. AT first she had not
encouraged me, but during the last
month she had certainly seemed to do so.
| was quick-tempered, and told her she
was a coquette.
"You have deceived me, Miss Allison,
as no true woman could have done.
When you thus play with the love of an
honorable man, you do something to
which no true woman would stoop.'
But suppose the honorable man is
living under an assumed name" she
asked coolly.
was fairly nonplussed. | had been
so sure that my identity was safely hid
den.
"Why do you say that?" l stammered.
Because" looking me full IN the
face, 81 worked the Harlem wire too
long not to have learned various little
mannerisms in your style of working
besides this, one day you threw an en-
veloped, addressed to Arthur w. Brent,
into the waste basket. My pencil fell
into the said basket, and while search
ing for it happened to see the envelope.
And to cap the climax, | have had your
photograph for year or more"
Indeed" | asked Jelly. "May | ask
where you got it?'
"Do you remember George Baker?"
eyes," | replied.
George and | had once worked in Chi
cago together, and we had exchanged
photographs.
"Well, George was my cousin. Poor
boy, he is dead now; | have his album
and your picture is in it,
She leaned back in the buggy, grave
little smile on her lips and a sparkle OF
mischief in her eyes, as she added:
$50 you see, Mr.. Wentworth, | could
not possibly be your wife, as should
not wish to live under an assumed
name.''
I,l 20 60 r.