The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1896-09-03
A CONTEMPTIBLE FELLOW.

had been a telegraphie operator al
Brandon some six or eight months and
had held communication OF purely
business character only with the op-
orator at Danwood, when there came
change. A message spun along the line
one February morning in this wise:
"Good morning, Brandon"
responded. Good morning, Dan
woed."
The former operator died last night
and have taken his place"
What is your name?" l asked.
Nellie Merton. What is yours?'
A spirit OF mischief prompted my re-
ply.
Harry Clayborn."
Then a message in real earnest came
along the linz and we were obliged
to attend to business.
Every day / bid my unseen acquaint-
anee Good morning" and never clos
ed up at night without farewell mes
sage. A tinge OF conscience racked me
at times, and still. small voice whis-
pered its warning but the temptation
was too great and it was not long be-
fore ! was sending sly messages 70 the
Unseen Nellie.
II vas 10 end Of fuH. She told le
heg history. She had run away from
hdme because her parents insisted up
on marrying her to man she oetest-
ed-and the last word came clicking
vielously from my end Of the line. She
woald never marry him-never.
Well. the outcome OF It all was that
/ asked the unseen Nellie to be my
wife. and even described the little
home that was lonesom-iy awaiting
hex coming / was foundering il deeS
w6er and could but trust to merciful
providence 10 pull me out Ny lun
was becoming dead earnest
That virtue was almost exhausted
when the well known call fell on my
ear. | few 10 the instrument. II was
concise, but not very complimentary.
Rather than marry that brute L
win risk it."
| was in for it now. /, Della Browne,
wss engaged to be married to young
lady had never seen. This was fore
ing the question OF woman's rights.
/ carried the fun on for over three
meaths, and every day it grew less
funny, until began TO brood over the
prBdicsment into which / had led my
feet. The time was rapidly approach
ing when ] would have 10 claim oy
bride
At last could bear it no longer, and
ono day, just three weeks before 1 was
TO travel to Danwood and claim my
bride, l got into the train with alto
gecher another motive. II was 70 kiss
and make up. after / had begged her
wicn tears 10 forgive me, etc., etc.
found the telegraph office. 1t was
occupied by a young man reading
PAGER. | looked al him without speak
nd ha the commitment in
kind.
II wish TO see Miss Nellie Merton I
said, and, as he did not speak, went
on TO explain. Il am an operator az
Brandon, and desire TO see her on i'm
poftant business. A moments delay
mSsas-"
so you are the operator at Brandon,
ana wish 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 70 be married, and IS
preparing for the great event. She
cannot be seen personally, but II you
will intrrst the message TO me ! will
deliver 1t Immediately, If you will take
my place while l run around to the
house"
4 must see her." I said, excitedly.
But you cannot" he said coolly.
'I have orders not TO let any one know
her whereabouts for a day or two, un-
til these preparations are well under
way"
Don't say another word. You viii
set me wild. II you won't tell me
whore to find her" l went on, in des-
peration, will you please tell her this:
/ have been a wicked girl-and-and-
there is no such person as Harry Clay
born. II started in fun. and-and-
please let me go TO her. She will un-
derstand me so much better than you
can explain IT,"
NO such person as Harry Clayburn!
My dear young lady, must beg leave
to differ from you. That is the name
OF the young gentleman who, in three
short weeks, is to marry Miss Merton.
Surely he is not dead?" he added in
co9stsrnation.
Oh will you not understand? It
was all a Joke at first. | thought it
would be great fun, and so I-well,
am Harry Clayborn, and after a time
We became eugag ged-all in fun, too.
tried TO stop, but | was so wicked 1
coytd not, and now poor Nellie will
breAk her heart. And-and-"
Here broke down and began to cry
in miserable way Unlike most men,
my companion was not in the least
disponcerted at the sight OF my tears,
but simply laughed loud and long.
Presently the laughter ceased. Then
bnard uneasy movements In the chair
Occupied by my companion. Then be
got up and paced about restlessly.
PrAtty soon a gentle touch fell upon
mo- arm, and his voice, very kind,
sas'