The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1893-05-31
SELECTED STORY.
A Telephone Girl.

east wind blew, you got some one for
the telephone, did you, Burns?"
Eyes, SIR" the head clerk replied
&c The young lady has been here since
Tuesday"
Young LADY," exclaimed Mr..
Wayne testify. -" Why did you get a
woman? A brokers' Office is no place
for woman"
Why, you see, sir" said Burns,
with an obvious embarrassment and
apprehensive glances toward light
oaken partition behind which the new
operator sat in concealment, "you did
not say anything about ihat-only that
Mr.. Richards bad his hands full with
the wires and that there should be
some one to take charge of the tele-
phone, so | y
"That is just like you, Burns" said
Mr.. Wayne, stamping back into his
private office. "Any one else would
have known better"
Why, you see, sir" said Burns as
he followed him back, I" don't think
it will make much difference. The
young lady is very capable and she
seemed to want the place so badly.
She is very poor, sir, and supports her
mother. | know something about her.
you see."
"Ohl some flame of yours, l sup
pose, Burns? Very nice arrangement
for you no doubt"
" beg your pardon, sir" said Burns
in an offended manner. "I'm a mar
ried man."
"By Jove, so you arel " said Roland
Wayne, with a laugh. 81 had forgot
ten that. Though" he added humor-
ously, {" that doesn't always make a
difference. Well, try her anyhow.
Where's the mail, please?"
81 tell you what, Burns" one of the
other clerks observed when that indi-
vidual finally emerged from Mr..
Wayne's office, "the boss is in fly
humor, isn't hep"
"He's all right" Burns answered
warmly. I" He has given me a ticket
to Atlantic City and two days off,"
The clerk whistled.
"Why, l thought he was going to
take your head off"
You don't know him, l am sure it
is no shane to man whose nerves are
always twinging with neuralgia if he
loses his temper now and then"
Roland meanwhile had taken up his
pen and was writing lengthy account
of Blsket's new deal in p, Y. & M.
If the cat jumps this way" he said
in conclusion, " the bears have got him
sure. D.nbury is on our side. He has
given Briskct the cold shoulder, and if
Pm not istaken somebody Will get
woefully left. | don't intend that it
shall be me. If everything goes as |
think it will, shall pocket 5000 900.
and then am going out of the broker
age business. 1t doesn't suit me, and
my health is so poor that | must get
away somewhere or / shall 90 to
pieces"
81 beg your pardon, sir" said soft,
tremulous voice at his elbow. 81 am
Miss Archer, Mr.. WAYNE"
Roland dropped his pen and rose
politely as he saw slight, graceful
figure in black standing before him.
:" Be seated, Miss Archer,n he said
with smile which no man could have
withheld when he saw the fairness of
her young face and that shy, sweet flush
on her cheeks. What can do for
you2"
Il am the telephone OPERATOR" she
began rapidly and with a nervousness
she could not conceal. ~ could not
help hearing what you said to Mr.,
Burns little while ago, ard-aud
came to say that if you are not satisfied
10 have me in the office you need onlv
say So"
"Not satisfied" Roland echoed in
manifest confusion. Well, really, you
know, | have not given you trial, and
as TO what l said while ago am sorry,
Miss Archer. l am afraid you will
have to set it down 10 neuralgia. l am
quite willing to have you stay if YOU
will"
You are very kind" she said, lac.
ing and unlacing her fingers in some
confusion. 81 should like to stay
indeed it is very important that
should have this position or something
else. But ii what you say is true, if a
brokers' office is no place for a woman
III think l would rather not stav.n
How Roland Wayne abused himself
when he thought of his careless words
and then marked how her lips quivered.
how her eyelids dropped to keep back
the tears
" l think | spoke too hastily, Miss
Archer" he said. "a lady's place is
where she makes it.. We are not lot
OF savages," he added, with warm
smile. If you remain here, think l
can assure you courteous and consid-
crate treatment on the part of every
one in this office. If such is not ac-
corded you, you have only TO inform
me, and | will know the reason why"
You are very kind" said the girl,
with bright, fleeting smile. "And |
should like to stay. really cannot
afford to resign my position"
Then stay by all MEANS" said Ro-
land, and to the edifcation of the
clerks he got up and opened the door
for her when she went out.
After that he caught himself listen
ing to the soft yet distinct voice in the
other room holding conversation over
the phone.
When he was at home with an attack
OF neuralgia, he had to communicate
with the office by wire. He often re-
marked how well he could hear Miss
Archer's voice when all the Others had
died away into babel of sound.
Burns did fine thino uhan ba ont