South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1892-06-24

am an operator aud out OF work.
Ask your chief il he will Let mo
sub for you while you rest Bit"
She flushed sending tho message,
and. after marking it with the re-
cciving operators signature, put it
In tho drawer. Then looked into
tho dark, brilliant face-a face full
OF irresistible beauty and power
and at the commanding figure,
standing fully six feet two inches
above her, and straight as an ar
row. Despite years of wandering
and the visible traces OF dissipa-
tion, there still fingered about him
military air aud the evidence OF
| better days. Has heavy iron gray
mustache aud bronzcd features, as
ISOLATED with his easy bearing aud
raven locks, all pointed to credit
able past and aristocratic antcce-
dents.
lie began almost to wish he had
not told her was an operator when
she ked him where he was going.
where he worked last. and other
questions, oil the while looking him
directly in the face with her grave,
sweet eyes.
"Surely our chief will let you
work If you arc u competent opera
tor"
She did not know he had worked
10 almost every State in tho Union.
However. she sent n message TO the
chief, asking if Mr. Merlin could
relieve her for a few nights.
The answer came almost imme-
diately for him to go to work that
night.
| by the way" said he, "what is
your name 20
''Genevleye Burleigb."
lie stood in the doorway, iseyes
following the train which carried
her to the city, until the green
Lights were like mere stars, then hc
turned and went into the office.
All around were evidences OF a
woman's care. The floor WIS spot
less IN its whiteaess and purity.
The clean. white curtains were
drawn back by crimson ribbons,
and on the window-sill were sprout-
Ing geraniums and blooming roses
that sent out a delightful odor ali
over the office. On the wal! were
hung PRETTY little landscapes, and
on the desk was photograph of
Young man. Red ribbon was drawn
through the open framework and
inside the picture was lock OF jet
black hair. On the desk Marlin
found several small volumes Of po-
etry, each inscribed on the flyleaf
with "To Genovieve, from Maui
rice"
Wondering idly who Maurice was,
he selected volume OF Longfel,ow,
and proceeded to make himself CON-
Portable for the remainder OF the
night. 1t was three weeks before
Miss Burleigh returned to duty !;
then Merlin was given regular sit
uation at station east OF her.
Every time he found that u rock
less desire to roam was creeping
over him he called her up over tho
wire and he'd a chat. She was al
ways the same, kind, good and mo-
dest, and he looked forward with
pressed longing to the time when
he should see her again.
When a year had passed that
roaming disposition was conquered.
He was no longer classed with the
tramps he was - man-nOt only o
man, bat gentleman in every
sense OF the word.
He often asked himself what bad
cauged the change tho answer was
always the same-Genevieve Bur
leigh.
She had ia come on duty ono
evening and laid of her outer wraps,
when che heard her Office caliod
SHARPLY on the instrument. She
sprang to tho kcy aud responded in
her usual manner.
GOOD evening jenny" clicked
tho sounder. "You may look for
me carly tomorrow noon"
Then she knew it was Arthur
Merlin. Lis private signal was
oh
A flush came in hor pale, sweet
face, her eyes frightened aud her
breath came quickly.
Il am so glad" che answered.
"What time can | look for you ?''
ON be out on number twelve"
Just then some one broke in, say
ing, with more politencss than is
generally shown intorruptiug con-
vorsatiOn on the wire Excuse
mo, have a mess tge to send /" aud
forthwith began calling.
During the long, lonely night
which slowly dragged Itself out,
GJnevieye bad something to look to.
She took out Merlin's last letter
and read it over. 10 must have
pleased her, for she smi.cd and
blushed beautifully.
There we're only two passengers
and a freight trsin to DO reported
during the night, and she watched
eagerly for the morrow to dawn.
She did not quite remember how
she passed the next morning but
the Afternoon IL lived for years in 1
her memory.