The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-06-20
LOVE OVER THE WIRE

What is your name9'' I asked.
Nellie 8dortC9- What is yours?''
A spirit of mischief prompted my reply
Harry Clayborn- -
good morning and never closed up at
night without a farewell message A
/ twinge of conscience racked me at times,
and a still, small voice whispered its warn
ing, but the temptation was too great and
it was not long before was sending sly
MESA ges to the unseen Nellie.
1t was no end of fun She told me her
history. She had run away from home
because her parents insisted upon marry
ing 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
Vel, the outcome of it all was that
asked the unseen Nellie to be my wife and
even describqd the little home that was
lonesOmely awaiting her coming. was
laundering in deep water and could but
trust to a merciful Providence to pull me
out. My fun was becoming dead earnest.
That virtue was almost exhausted when
the well known call fell on my ear. few
to the instrument 1t was concise, but
not very Complimentary.
Rather than marry that brute viii
risk it. -
was in for it now. I, Della Browne,
was engaged to be married to a young
lIllF 4 uft4 never SC5JLA AAl1 WAS ADAlAA48
the question of wOman's rights.
carried the fun on for over three
months, and every day it grew less funny
until began to brood over the predica-
ment into which I had led my feet. The
time was rapidly approaching when
would have to claim my bride. 80
At last I could bear it no longer, and
one day, just three weeks before I was to
travel to Danwood and claim my bride, 1
cot into the train with altogether another
motive. 1t was to kiss and make up after
I had begged her with tears to forgive me,
etc
I found the telegraph office. 1t was oc-
cupied by a young man reading a paper. I
looked at him without speaking, and he
returned the compliment IN kind.
Il wish to see Miss Nellie Merton, y
said, and as he did not speak went on to
explain: 81 am the operator at Brandon
and desire to see her on important bust
ness. A moments delay means -
So you are the operator at Brandon and
wish to see Miss Merton am sorry to
disappoint you; but, you see, Miss Merton
is at home at the present time while
take her place. The fact is, she is going to
be married and is preparing for the great
event. She cannot be seen personally, but
if you will intrust the message to me I
will deliver it Immediately if you viii take
my place while run around to the house. %
81 must see her, . I said excitedly.
'But you cannot, % he said coolly. 81
have orders not to let any one know her
whereabouts for day or two, until these
preparations are well under way"
Don't say another word You viii set
me wild If you won t tell me where to
find her, - I went on in desperation, twill
you please tell her this? I have been a
wicked girl, and-and-there is no such
person as Harry Clayborn. 1t started in
fun, and-and-please let me go to her
she viii understand me so much better
than you can explain it. -
mo such person as Harry ClaybOrnl
My dear young lady, I must beg leave to
differ with 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 CONSERVATION.
"SOh- viii you not understand It was
all joke at first I thought it would be
great fun, and so well, 1 am Harry
Clayborn, and after a time we became en-
gaged-a0 ia fun too. I tried to stop, but
was so wicked could not, and now poor
Nellie viii break her heart And-and -
Here broke down and began to cry in
a miserable way Unlike most men, my
companion was not Ia the least discomfort
ed at the sight Of my tears, but simply
laughed loud and long.
Presently the laughter ceased Then
heard uneasy movements in the chair Oc-
cupied by my companion. Then he got up
and paced about restlessly. Pretty soon a
gentle touch fell upon my arm and his
voice, very kind, said:
Nellie is here to receive your confession
and forgiveness"
dried my eyes and looked up, but saw
no one but the tall, handsome young man,
who was looking at me very earnestly.
Where is she?'' I asked, ready to cry
again.
Here, - he said, holding out his hand.
Instinctively put mine into it, and it
closed over it firmly.
I also have confession to make, he
said earnestly. II thought you were anoth>
er young fellow like myself. and, wishing
to relieve the tediuIn of these long, monOt-
onous days, struck up a Irritation In
short, - he ended abruptly, II am Nellie
Merton and you are Harry Clayborn-
Come, dry your eyes, Harry. Your Nellie
is not heartbroken at the turn of affairs. "
YOu are a contemplate fellow, - cried
He did not reply, but stood looking down
at me from his superior height.
50 1t was very mean of you, because yOu1
object was woman. I viii never forgive
you if I live to be a thousand, - I cried.
&C. Is that not rather paradOxical, consid-
ering the fact that you thought I was
woman and you We're enacting the role of
the sterner sexY' he asked
You might have known, I answered
severely.
''But I did not, - he said.
fHere is my train, replied shortly.
s'Goodby," he said, assisting me on to the
tran despite my Independence and lift
ing his hat as the train steamed out. One
morning about year later I was arrang-
ing and copying some night messages
when a long shadow fell across my paper.
A glance upward told me who it was.
Standing with hat in hand and without
preface of any kind, he said:
over a year ago you asked me to marry
you, and / consented. I have come today
to ask win you come, or shall I enter an
action for breach of promises"