The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1894-08-23
MY FIANCEE.

''B station" some six or eight mouths
and had held communication Of pure
" business character only with tho
operator at I'D" when there came q
change Death silently removed tho old
man who had been in charge there for
30 long, and new operator was I'm
stalled.
A message spun along the line one
February morning in this wise< Good
morning, B." respondeds
GOOD morning. D." Then oame the
information, 1.-THE old man died last
night, and havo taken his place"
''What is your name?' I asked.
Nellie Merton. What is yours7" A
spirit of doviltry prompted my reply:
Mod Clayborn-
"Thank you," was the concise re-
sponse. Then q message in real earnest
camo along the lines, and wo were
Obliged to attend to business. Every day
bado my unseen acquaintance Good
morning" and never closed up at night
without farewell message A twinge
of conscience racked mo at times, and n
"still, small voice" whispered it's warn
ing, but tho 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
lie. Tho replies to these messages were
guarded, but hopeful, and grow bold
er. 1t wAs no end Of fun.
She told mo her history. Sho had run
away from homo because her parents
insisted upon marrying her to q man
she detosted (nnd the last word came
clicking vioiously from my end of the
linel- She would mover marry him
never. I advised her not to and limited
at an affection deeper and truer than
any the presuming "deteeted follow"
could offer
We'll, tho outcome of it was that
asked the unseen Nellie to BIO my wife
and even described the little home that
was lonesomely awaiting her coming. 1
was f1oundering i'll deep water and could
but trust to kind Providence to pull
me out My "fun" was becoming dead
earnest How wished the wires stretch
Ing between Us were telephone, instead
of telegraphic, that 1 could perchancc
hear some exclamation or gain some
token Of how my message was received.
But this was not to be, and I had to
possess my soul in patience That vir-
tue was almost exhausted whom the
we'll known call fell upon my ears.
flew 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 deoper by sending raptur-
GUS messages over the wires l, Della
Brown, was engaged to be married to a
young lady had mover seen. This was
forcing the question of Woman's rights.
carried tho FUN" on for over three
months, and every day 1t grew decided
~ less funny, until began TO brood
over tho predioament into which I had
giddlly led my feet Tho time was rap-
idly approaching when would have to
claim the bride 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 /
felt suro sho would not deal lightly with
any one who would dare to play tricks
upon her.
At last could bear 1t no longer, and
one day, Just three weeks before I was
to travel to ID" and claim my bride, |
boarded the train with altogether an
other motive 1t was to "kiss and make
up" after had begged her with tears
to forgive ma etc
found a little house, with little
sign IN blue and white swinging In the
breeze. similar to tho little house and
tho httle sign at "R." 1t was occupied
at the time by young man reading a
paper. looked at him without speak
Ing. and he returned the compliment in
kind
II Wish to zee Mics Nellie Merton. -
I said. and as he dA not speak I went
op 20 explain. II am tho operator at
b. and have an important message,
which must BIO delivered to her at once.
A moments delay means'- paused
for word, and no spoke for tho first
time
$50 yo,, are the operator at b and
desire to see Miss Merton1 I am sorry
to disappoint you; but, you 500, Miss
Merton is at home ut tho present time
while l take her place Tho fact is
she Is going to be married and is
preparing for the great event She
cannot be seen personally, but It yen
Will intrust the message to me / will
deliver 1t Immediately If Won will 10