The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-03-01

" nen he knows she wants to talk to
him"
/ rushed to the instrument. 1t was the
same clear girls voice. l answered her,
and then jerked away in anger and sur
prise, only TO meet old Gruff s grim
glance.
"If this thing goes on, Mr.. Dixon, 1t
might be well for you and Mr.. Carkson
to change desks"
81 do not understand it myself" re-
piled. 81 assure you, sir, that am ex-
ceedingly annoyed. will not answer 1t
again"
81 will, myself, SIR" he growled; and
went back TO my desk TO upset my inA
bottle; and to make mistakes in my ac-
counts. And all day Mr. Gruffland would
answer that confounded telephone. That
some of the messages were meant for me
could tell, and that they must be utter
nonsense, / could conjecture from his oc-
casional comments: "' BY Jimminy john
sonl' is a remarkable expression for
young lady, Mr.. Dixon"
1t would be too long to tell the story OF
those days in detail. Sometimes there
would be a respite, and then the non
sense would begin again. 1t was fun Tor
Clarkson and the rest, but to me it seemed
as if the bell OF the telephone was ringing
the knell of all my bright hopes. Agnes
assured me of her innocence, and Miss
Peyton was ready with explanations;
they had been shopping, or calling, oil
practiclng duets. But I could see that
cooiness had come between Agnes and
me. She feared that / doubted her, and !
what could think? Again and again
the message referred to what had said
to her when quite alone. Could she have
repeated my condolences?
At the Office preparations for the new
| business were being hurried on, and not
| one word had been said TO me of promo
| ton. To crown all, Agnes informed me
one evening that she was going to shorten
her visit; she had heard of friends going
! to Maidenhead to spend Christmas, and
! thought it best to secure their escort. i
passed wretched evening, but left, de-
| termined TO make a desperate effort to
| clear the mystery. Agnes had told me
that they were all to be out the next day,
so begged off at the Office, reached the
house at ten, and persuading the servant
that wanted to rest, and would let my
self out when l was ready, i managed to
conceal myself in cupboard in the hall,
where / waited four mortal hours.
At last / was rewarded. A light step
came through the hall, chair was drawn
to the telephone, and a clear voice, won
derfully like Agnes's, called:
"Please connect with Gruffiand & Co.
Number fifty thousand and one."
Waiting only long enough to let him
actually begin the conversation in his
usual style, rushed out, and catching the
culprit by the arm, bestowed a resounding
box upon the ear of the astonished Mr.
Raphael. The little imp! This was his
revenge for his we'll deserved snubs.
have no doubt he had heard every word OF
my conversation with Agnes.
OF course, the Peytons were distressed
and apologetic. Agnes was persuaded to
name an early day for our wedding, and
old Gruff relented. got the promotion
in due time, but / never could endure the
sight of that cherubic boy. j believe that
the box that bestowed upon him was his
only punishment, and / rejoice to think
that it was such stinger!
II this story has moral, IL is short
one. The more innocent and guileless c
boy looks, the less he is to be trusted.