The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1893-04-14
THE TELEPHONE GIRL.

Wneu ne came lnJO his ONCE, alter sew
eral days illness with wretched neu-
ralgia. which affected him whenever the
east wind blew, "you got some one for
the telephone-did you, Burns?'
Eyes, SIR" the head clerk replied.
"Tho young lady has been here since
Tuesday"
"Young lady y exclaimed Mr.. Wayne,
testify. "Why did you get a woman T?
A brokers' office is no place for WON.
an"
"Nhy, you see, sir" said Burns, with
an obvious embarrassment and appre.
hensive glances towards light oaken
partition behind which the operator sat
in concealment, 'you did not say any
thing about that-only that Mr. Rich.
ards had his hands full with the wires
and that there should be some one to
take charge of the telephone; so I"
That is just like you, Burns" said
MIR. Wayne, stamping back into his
private office. "Any one else would
have known better"
"Why, you see, SIR" said Burns,
in defensive tone, rs he followed him
back, IL didn't think it would 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. I know
something about her, you see."
"Oh! Some flame of yours, I sup
pose, Burns? Very nice arrangement
for you, no doubt"
IL beg your pardon. sir, )" said Burns,
in on offended manner II am n mar.
ried man."
by Jove. SO you are" said Roland
Wayne, with Q laugh. II had forgot
ten that. Though" he added humor.
ously. that doesn't always make diff.
ference. Well, try her, anyhow.
Where's the mail, please?'
IL tell you what, Burma" one Of the
other clerks observed, when that indi.
vidual finally emerged from Mr..
Wnyne's Office, "the boss is in o Ay
humor isn't heP''
Hes all right" Burns answered
warmly. He has given me ticket to
Atlantic City and two days OF. ;"
The clerk whistled.
why. I thought he was going to
take your head off,
Aou uoh AuoW ulm. i am sure IL
is no shame to man whose nerves are
always twinging with neuralgia il hs
loses his temper now and them
Roland, meanwhile, had taken up his
pen and was writing lengthy account
of Brisket's new deal in p, Y. and M.
IF the cat jumps this way" he said
in conclusion, "the bears have got him
sure. Danbury is on our side. He has
given Brisket the cold shoulder, and, if
/ am not mistaken somebody will get
woefully left don't intend that it
shall be me. If everything goes as I
think it will shall pocket 5000, 900,
and then L am going out of the broker
age business. 1t doesn't suit me. and
my health is so poor that l must get
away somewhere or shall go to pieces.
81 beg your pardon, sir" said soft,
tremulous voice at his elbow. IL am
Miss Archer, Mr. Wayne"
Roland dropped his pen and rose DO.
1itely as he saw slight, graceful figure
in black standing before him.
''Be seated, Miss Archer" he said
with smile, which no man could have
withheld when he saw the fairness of
her fresh young face, and that shy,
sweet flush on her cheeks. What can
! do for you q
IL am the telephone operator" she
began rapidly, and with a nervousness
she could not conceal. Il could not
help hearing what you said to Mr.. Burns
little while ago, and-and l came to
say that II you are not satisfied to have
me IN the office you need only say So"
mot satisfied r Roland echoed in
\ manifest confusion. We'll, really, Won
know, ! have not given you trial and
as to what said while ago, 1 am sorry,
Miss Archer. am afraid you will have
to set it down to neuralgia. am quite
willing to have you stay if you will"
You are very kind, she said, lacinn
and unlacing her fingers in some con-
fusion. Il should like to stay-indeed
It is very important that should have
this position or something else. But if
what You say is true-if brokers' of.
fice is no place for womar-I-I think
would rather not stay"
How Ronald Wayne abused himself
when he thought OF his careless words,
and then marked how her lips quivered.
how her eyelids dropped to keep back
4 the tears
Il think I spoke too hastily, Miss
Archer" he said. "A lady's place is
where she makes it. We are not a lot
of savages," he added with a warm
smile. If you remain here think
can assure you courteous and consider.
ate treatment on the part of every one
in this office. If such is not accorded
you you have only to inform me and
will know the reason why"
h You are very kind" said the girl,
II with bright, fleeting smile. IL should
like to stay. / really can not afford to
| fesign my position
4 ''Then stay by all means, said Roland.
And, to the edifcation of the clerks, he
znt mn and nnenad tho daa, Co. LA~