The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-06-04
An OPERATORS ROMANCE.

There was no use in trying 10 disguise the
faet-Harold Howe was heartily disguised
with the whole business. The continual
"tick" of the small talking machines made
him actually cross, and he decided, as he
stood looking out OF the Office window
watching for the approaching train, that
be would find some occupation more suited
70 his fastidious tastes. To be sure be
might return home and assist his father in
sort OF subjective way. but he preferred
independence. lie would frd something
besides this mon0tODOus tick.
There's the train now. Wonder how
many passengers must wait over this time.
Hope some pretty maid will want to tele-
graph-anythiBg for q chsngel By Jove
there's a fne-loaking girl. Wonder If she's
reached her destination OF If she waits.
Hope it is the latter. Probably wont do
me any good, though"
''NIr. Howe! Wake up. viii you? Man
over there wants your attention.
YES" be growled. IAN right"
For The next few minutes he was too busy
90 think of the new arrival When be did
81 he found her close TO his elbow.
I'D Ike TO send a message, please" she
said rather Grossly"
Yes" Har ID replied with his best air,
and pushed q blank toward her. 'Deuc'dlY
pretty" he thought, but how lofty she isl"
The message "a as written and returned 10
the operator, who read as follows:
LEFT a. Irving Come on next train.
IRENE"
"Oh-ah-does your friend know at what
hour the train arriyrs?" Harold inquired.
well, l don't know" said the lady,
doubtiully.
perhaps I can arrange it so that she
,fr,rs
HierOglyphics, the message was made 10 read
more 10 the point "Ah-sOrTy you were
left" be said lnsinuatingly.
Yes, so am !" without the ghost Of a
Have you come farP" be persisted, IN
dismayed by her GOODNESS.
''No-Ony from jersey" And then the
lady left the Office.
Trivial things seriously affect ones life.
From the hour OF meeting the beautiful.
Though cod Irene Harold was a changed
mac. For the last month he had been so
cross that the small boys in the Office all
stood in awe Of him. But in the last few
days his mood bad suddenly changed, and
no one heard anything about the ''eyerlast-
ing grind Of lie From appearances Mr..
Howe was perfectly satisfied with his lot.
However, his eyes always turned IN the
direction Of the approaching train from We're,
and he seemed to be expecting something
train without a critical survey from him
''fOr," he reasoned. "she must coma back
some time and / shall see her at least once
more"
The long-looked for day at last arrived
the trains were late, as usual, so Irene
was obliged to wait at the station for about
half an hour. Harold saw her enter, and
lost no time in finding some excuse to be-
take himself to the waiting-TOOm.
He looked at the lady. and, astonishing
fact! she recognized him most grGciOusly
Gaining courage from her smiles. and moi
observing a certain mischievous expression
In her eyes, he approached. and for a few
moments they cOnversed together. In these
few seconds young Howe discovered thai
Irene-her last name he did not know-wa.
the one girl in the whole world for him.
The train approached, and he had some
business 10 attend 70 in the Office before i
left. Awful thought He might never see
her again, and all he knew of her was he
first name and that she came from jersey
Grasping card, he hurriedly placed it il
an envelope, aud finding the conductor
asked him to hand it TO Irene, describing
her as best he could. He knew it was a bold
thing to undertake, but 1t was all tina
seemed left for him to do now, and she
might possibly send hers in return.
How long the days seemed to poor Harold
de no longer watched for the trains. PeO-
pie came and went from the town of Jer.
Sey. Dut lie was no longer concerned with
them. The mails held his only interest
Letters came from day to day, but not the
desired one After a lapse of about two
weeks, however. the postmaster brought
Mr.. ii. Howe" a dainty envelope, and
Harold knew it was the long desired mis-
sive. His hand trembed IS he tore open
the seal and disclosed a dainty card with
TIE following name written upon it: Mrs
Harry Dwight Hall"
Did he iaintP No. BE merely wrote Il
his father something as follows:
Guess I'll come home ana make Il up with
EuDiee, after alli fine girl Expect me to-mOr
row.