Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1898-05-18
BY TELEPHONE.

just now she was DlC out OF temper.
express 1904" she called impa'iently.
And as she waited for the desired num-
Der she turned and looked OF Virginia,
who, quite overcome by the hea.-'r
was it for some other reasons-had
seated herself at no great distance of
and was welding palm leaf fan en-
ergeticaliy.
The pretty woman turned abruptly
to the phone in response to a call. sis
this Express 2sO4?" she said. -
at is Byron's number" Virginia
muttered to herself. II thought So"
The woman at the phone spoke
again;
"This is Mr.. Curtis, is it notF' Vir-
ginia ceased tanning and scarcely dis
guised the fact that the conversation
interested her.
Eyes, I am Miss Cleavebrook," con-
tinued the woman in the linen gown.
Then, eyes, please"
A short pause ensued. The drug
store cuckoo clock struck two. Vir-
g.nia excitelly imagined what Byron
Curtis must be saying at the other END
| of the phone in his Office, high u2 in
one CT the downtown buildings
Miss Cleavebrook interrupted her
thoughts. "Yes,' she said, and Vir-
ginia fancied perhaps that her voice
took on more tender tone. "Same
place." she continued with a little
laugh. "Dii youf I'm so glad Thanks
so much for the flowers. You really
mustn't send them so often. It's too
e1travagant Of you."
Virginia gave little start. "Theatre
again this week." questioned Miss
|Cleavebrook doubtingly. ID really
think twice a week is too often"
| But the man with whom she was
talking seemedto overcome her scruples
and after agreeing to 60 with him on
Friday evening of that weeks said
"Why don't you ask me why !
called you upl" Then, seeming to for
| get that she was in public place, she
laughed merriy at the response thai
came back over the phone. Finally
she said:
i mo, it wasn't that. I want very
much to see that book Of after Dir
ner Speeches you spoke of. Can't YOU
bring it to me this evening? MOI wei
tomorrow, then. What are you goinI
to do tonight"
The fair questioner seemed but lit
tie pleased at the answer she received
} She tapped her foot impatiently, ant
| Il was O full minute bsfore she spoke
Virginia fancied she heard Byrol
, saying: ri am going to call On Mis-
Allen tonight" For had he not aske'
if he might come over to see her Tues
day?
!, Miss Cleavebrook recovered her TEN
! per. it indeed she had lost it, and said
II thought I told you to drop tha'T
Virginia arose hurriedly and walke'
!, to the front Of the store. "lt Is IN
. supportable," she muttered to herself
0 "She speaks as it she owned hir
e Her thoughts overcame her as tn
memory of oil that had happened be
a tween her and Byron Curtis rushed
| her mind.
0 The sharp ring Of the little bell re
l called her to herself and she looked Il
to see Miss Cleavebrook leave the stor
;. and 90 slowly down the street with
happy smile dimpling her pretty fac'
Virginia took an impulsive step tc
u ward the telephone, needless OF tn
o clerk who stood behind the countf
u and who began to gaze at her rattle
q curiously.
v eHe need not come to see me, 81
o thought 6ercely. "He would rather
It with her," Her voice nearly choke
> her as she answered. Express 2oO4
~ to the inevitable Number, pleased
1 The moments which followed wei
i. agony to her. Her thoughts ran wil'
t at was only last week that he told m
% that he cared for me and WAS
have answered him tonight, Wh
k why did 1 care so much?"
J. "Hellol" sounded a mans voice owe
$ the phone, and then, before she coul
y speak, els that you asa'n, puiseP
E virginia's face paledithM she fushe
q painfully. Had she been installer
10 It had never occurred to her thu
q another man could have answered.