Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1895-06-21
A QUEER COURTSHIP.
ny Della Brown.

l had been a telegraphic operator a
Brandon some six or eight months
and had held communication Of pure
~ business character only with the OF
orator at Danwood. when there came
change. Death silently removed the
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, Brandon
l responded
| Good morning, Danwood''
Then came the information:
/ THE former operator died last night
and have taken his place."
What is your name?' 1 asked.
Nellie Merton. What is yours?"
! A spirit of deviltry prompted me to
reply:
| Ned Clayborn."
| Spouse.
- Ai'SSo'tS,C LII IeStl SoIucSJ CaIIc
along the lines, and we were obliged
to attend to business.
Every day l babe nv unseen no.
quaintance Woodworking" and never
closed up at night without farewell
message. A twinge of conscience
Tacked me at times, and sstill. small
voice whispered it's warning; but the
temptation was too great. and it was
not long before I was sending sIy mes
sagas, containing a good deal "atwee1
the lines" to the unseen Nellie. The re-
plles to these messages were guarded
put hopeful, and grew holder. 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
Il man she deteSted (and the last word
came clicking viciously from nv end
or the Hne). She would never marry
ninl-never! advised her not to. and
ninted at an affection deeper and trrer
than any the presuming "detested fell
low could offer
WeH the outcome of it all was that
| asked the unseen Nellie to be nv wifa
ana even described the little home
'hat was SO lonesomely awaiting her
was laundering in deem
water, and could but trust to kind
providence to pull me out. NV ..funv
was becoming dead earnest. How r
wished the wires stretching between
as We're telephone instead of tele-
sraphlc that could perchance. hear
some exclamation or gain some token
u now my message was received Rut
MS was not to be, and had to pos
ess my soul in patience. ]
Ikat virtue was almost eyhansted
Vhen the well known call fell mon ]
NY ear | flew to the instrument II a
vas concise, and not very compliment Q
~: irA1' !
,Rather than marry that brute.
Till risk it.
was III for it now. and must nor.
orce, Hounder still deeper by sendinc A
ipturous messages over the wires I
'eiia Brown, was engaged to be mar.
ed 10 young lady 4 had never seen
hls was forcing the question of II
'oman's rights. " n
carried the fun on for three b
onths, and every day it grew de- n
ueuly Tess funny," until l began to c.
'ood over the predicament into which re
h'a slddlly led my feet The time tt
as rapidly approaching when would ii
I'VE TO claim the bride 1 had won in w
is mover and romantic manner. and tie
y Diood ran cold at the thought of AZ
wv easy It would be for her to learn nj
my pefhdlty, and from all l had w
en Oh ner temper, | felt sure she tn
,ui9 no, deai gently with any one ar
40 uared TO play tricks upon her tr'
AZ iast could bear it no longer, and va
e Gay, Just three weeks before was pr
-.
lde, got into the train with alto- xii
Their another motive. 1t was to "lsiss ey
make up, after had begged her ap
tn tears to forgive me, etc. cir
found a little house with n li+t1o Ey
n In blue and white swinging in the rec
aaze similar to the little house and Out
! little sign at Brandon. 1t was o. Hi
oled at the time by a young man the
ding a paper. / looked at him. osi
1hout speaking, and he returned tur
compliment in kind. g
| wish to see Miss Nellie Merton" r
I'D, and as he did not speak, / went lit
TO explain Il am the operator at "'
lndon. and have an important mes Joll
e which must be delivered to her goil
once. A moments delay means,
fused Tor word, and he spoke for The
first time. rrr
50 you are the operator at Bran be |
/, and desire to see Miss Merton? 1 is c
sorry to disappoint you but YOU so.
Miss Merton is at home at the Mo,
sent time, while take her place The
fact is, she is going to be mar RICH
/, and is preparing for the great AMI
1t. She cannot be seen personally, gate
II you will intrust the message TO ther
| will deliver it Immediately. if lies
Will be kind enough to take nv ter
e while | run around to her copl
G. rests
S GOODNESS nearly distracted me. In Il
must see her. l exclaimed, ex- and
lily. who,
tut you cannot" he said coolly. plat
ave strict orders not to let any one The
y her whereabouts for day or is br
until these preparations are well mint
r way" - enlra
was on the verge of taorr .,d y,;5r