The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1894-08-16
MY FIANCEE.

''B station" some SIX or eight months
and had held communication Of pure
ly business character only with the
operator at 3D. when there came O
change. Death silently removed the old
man who had been in charge there for
30 long, and a new operator was In
stalled
a message spun aIong the line ono
February morning in this wise, Good
morning. b" responded:
GOOD morning. D." Then came the
information, 1.-THE old man died last
night, and havo taken his place"
"What Is your na1ner' asked.
Nellie Merton. What is yoursY' A
spirit of deviltry prompted my reply:
MED Clayborn."
"Thank you. was the concise re-
sponse. Then message in real earnest
came along the lines, and We were
obliged to attend to business EVERY day
babe my unseen acquaintance "Good
morning" and never closed up at night
without farewell message A twinge
OF conscience rackod mo at times, and n
''still, small voice" whispered its warn
ing, but the temptation was too great,
and it was not long before was send
Ing sly messages, containing good deal
"atween the lines" to tho unseen Mel
he. The replies to these messages were
guarded, but hopeful. and grew bold
er. 1t was no end Of fun
She told me her history. She had run
away from homo because her parents
insisted upon marrying her to man
She detosted (and the Last word came
clicking vioiously from my end of the
Gne). She would never marry him
never. I advised her not to and limited
at an affection deeper and truar than
any the presuming "detested fellow"
could offer
Well, the outcome Of 10 was that
asked the unseen Nellie to be my wife
and even described the little home that
was lonesomely awaiting her coming.
was doundering In deep water and oould
but trust to kind Providence to pull
me out My fun was becoming dead
earnest How wished the wires stretch
ing between us were telephonic, instead
OF telegraphic, that I could perchanoe
hear some exclamation or gain some
token OF how my message was received.
But this was not to be, and had to
possess my soul in patience That viz
tue was almost exhausted when tho
we'll known call fell upon my ears.
few to tho instrument. 1t was concise
and not very complimentary, Rather
than marry that brute will risk it. :"
was In for 1t now and must perforce
founder still deeper by sending raptur-
Gus messages over tho wires ], Della
Brown, was engaged to be married to q
young lady had never seen. This was
forcing tho question Of woman's rights.
carried the fun" on fox over three
months, and every day 1t grew decided
1y less funny, until began to brood
over the predioament into which had
g1ddily led my feet. The time was rap-
idly approaching when would have to
claim tho bride l had won in this novel
and romantic manner, and my blood
ran cold at the thought Of how easy it
would be for her to learn Of my perfidy,
and from all had seen Of her temper /
felt sure sho would not deal lightly with
any one who would dare to play tricks
upon her.
at last could bear IL no LONGER, and
one day, just three weeks before was
30 travel to I'D" aud claim my bride, /
boarded the train with altogether an
other motiva It was to kiss and make
up" after had begged her with tears
to forgive me- etc
found a little house. with q little
sign In blue and white swinging In the
breeze. similar to the little house and
the little sign at ''B" It was occupied
ct the time by young man reading a
paper. I looked at him without speak
ing. and he returned the compliment In
kind.
II wish to sec Miss Neihe Merton. ="
I said. and as be did not speak 1 went
ON to explain. II am the operator at
'B' and have an important message
which must be delivered to her at once.
A moments delay means''- paused
for a word, md he spoke for the first
time
SO you are the operator at 81 and
desire 30 see Miss Merton2 I am sorry
10 dsappoint you; but, you SEQ, Miss
Merton Is at home at tho present time
while l take hor place Tho fact is
she Is going to be married and is
preparing for the great event. She
cannot be seen personally, but Il You
Will intrust The message to me 1 will
deliye 1t Immediately if Won will l..