Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1894-09-07
MY FIANCEE.

MY FIANCEE.
had been Geographic operator at
''B station some six or eight months
and had held communication of pure
ly business character only with the
operator at cd" when there came a
change. Death silently removed the old
man who had been in charge there fol
SO long, and new operator was in
stalled.
A message spun along the line one
February morning in this wise: "Good
morning, B." responded:
"Good morning, D." Then came the
information, ''The old man died last
night, and I have taken his place. .
"What is your name?" asked.
t'Nellie Merton. What is yours?" A
spirit of deviltry prompted my reply:
"Ned Clayborn.
''Thank you,' was the concise re-
Spouse. Then a message i'll real earnest
came along the lines, and we were
obliged to attend to business. Every day
I babe my unseen acquaintance "Good
morning" and never closed up at night
without farewell message. A twinge
of conscience racked me at times, and
'fstill, 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 the unseen Mel
lie. The replies to these messages were
guarded, but hopeful, and I grew bold
er. 1t was no end Of fun.
She told me her history. She had run
away from home because her parents
insisted upon marrying her to a man
she detested (and the last word came
clicking viciously from my end Of the
line). She would never marry him
never I advised her not to and limited
at an affection deeper and truer than
any the presumingIs 'detested fellow
could offer.
Well, the outcome Of it was that ]
asked the unseen Nellie to be my wife
and even described the little home that
was lonesomely awaiting her coming. ]
was floundering i'll deep water and could
but trust to kind Providence to pull
me out Ny ''fun'' was becoming dead
earnest. How wished the wires stretch
ing between us were telephone, instead
of Geographic, that [ could perchance
hear some exclamation Or gain some
token of how my message was received.
But this was not to be, and [ had tc
possess my soul in patience. That viz
the was almost exhausted when the
well known call fell upon my ears. !
flew to the instrument. 1t was concise
and not very complimentary, "Rathe1
than marry that brute will risk it. %
was in for it now and must perforce
founder still deeper by sending raptur-
Gus messages over the wires. I, Della
Brown, was engaged to be married to a
young lady I had never seen. This was
forcing the question Of woman's rights.
I carried the ''fun" on for over three
months, and every day it grew decided
ly less f'funny, - until I began to brood
over the predicament into which had
giddily led my feet. The time was rap
idly approaching when would have to
claim the bride I 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 perfdy,
and from all had seen of her temper l
felt sure she would not deal lightly with
any one who would dare to play tricks
upon her.
At last could bear it no longer, and
one day, just three weeks before I was
to travel to ''D'' and claim my bride, I
boarded the train with altogether an
other motive. 1t was to ''kiss and make
to forgive me, etc.
found a little house, with a little
sign in blue and white swinging in the
breeze, similar to the little house and
the little sign at ''B. - 1t was occupied
at the time by a young man reading
paper. I looked at him without speak
ing, and he returned the compliment in
kind.
ST wish to see Miss Nellie Merton"
I said, and as he did not speak I went
Oh to explain. IT am the operator at
81 and have an important message,
which must be delivered to her at once.
A moments delay means I paused
for word, and he spoke for the first
time
$50 you are the operator at 81 and
desire to see Miss Merton? / am sorry
to disappoint You; but, you see, Miss
Merton is at home at the present time
while I take her place. The fact is
she is going to be married and is
preparing for the great event. Sha
cannot be seen personally, but if you
will intrust the message to me will
deliver it Immediately if you will be
kind enough to take my place while I
run around to her house."
His GOODNESS nearly distracted me.
81 must see hern' I exclaimed excit
eddy.
"But you cannot" he said coolly.
81 have strict orders not to let any one
know her whereabouts for a day or two
until these extensive preparations are
we'll uuuSI way.
Twas on the verge Of tears, and with
a choke in my voice cried out. sinking
into chair and holding up my hands
deprecatingly;
''Don't say another word. You will
set me wild. If you will not tell me
where to find Nellie" I went on In des,
peration, Twill you please tell her this
II have been e bad, wicked girl, and
and-and-there is no such person as
Ned Clayborn? 1t started in fun, and
and-and-please let me go to her. She
will understand me SO much better than
you can explain it. -
"No such person as Ned Clayborn!
My dear young lady, must beg leave
to differ with you. That is the name of
the young man who in three short weeks
is to marry Miss Merton. Surely he is
not dead?'' he added in CONSERVATION.
'fOh, will you not understand It
u