Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1898-01-13

to the phone In response to a call.
rs this express 2S04?" she said.
1T is Byron's number" Virginia
muttered to herself. Il thought So.
The woman at the phone spoke
again.
This is Mr.. Curtis, is it not?" Vir-
ginia ceased tanning and scarcely dis
guised the fact that the conversation
interested her.
Yes, l am Miss Clevebrook," con-
tinued the woman in the linen gown.
Then, Yes, please"
A short pause ensued. The drug
store cuckoo clock struck 2. Virginia
excitedly imagined what Byron Curtis
must be saying at the other end of the
phone in his Office. high up in one of
the down town buildings.
Miss Clevebrook interrupted her
thoughts. Yes" she said, and Virginia
fancied perhaps that her voice took on
more tender tone. Same place"
she continued, with little laugh. Did
you? I'm so glad. Thanks SO much
for the flowers You really mustn't
send them so often. It's too extrav-
agant OF you"
Virginia gave little start. "Theater
again this week?' questioned Miss
Clevebrook doubtingly. II really
think twice week is too often
But the man with whom she was
talking seemed to overcome her scru-
pies, and after agreeing to go with him
on Friday evening of that week she
said:
why don't you ask me why | called
you up?" Then seeming TO forget
she was in public place she laughed
merrily at the response that came back
over the phone. Finally she said:
mo, it wasn't that l want very
much to see that book of After Din
ner Speeches you spoke of. Can't you
bring it to me this evening? No?
Well, tomorrow, then. What are you
going to do tonight?"
The fair questioner seemed but little
pleased at the answer she received.
She tapped her foot impatiently, and
it was full minute before she spoke.
Virginia fancied she heard Byron
saying: Il am going to call on Miss
Allen tonight" For had he not asked
if he might come over to see her
Miss Clevebrook recovered her tenn
per, if indeed she had lost it. and said:
Il thought told you to drop that?'
Virginia arose hurriedly and walked
to the front of the store. ut is in
supportable," she muttered to herself.
"She speaks as il she owned him
when"
Her thoughts overcame her as the
memory of all that had happened be-
tween her and Byron Curtis rushed to
her mind.
The sharp ring Of the little bell re-
called her to herself and she looked to
see Miss Clevebrook leave the store
and go slowly down the street with
happy smile dimpling her pretty face.
Virginia took an impulsive step to-
ward the telephone, needless of the
clerk who stood behind the counter
and who began to gaze at her rather
curiously.
He need not come to see me" she
thought fiercely. He would rather be
with her." Her voice nearly choked
her as she answered, Express 2S04,'
to the inevitable, Number, please"
The moments which followed were
agony to her. Her thoughts ran wild.
ut was only last week that he told me
he cared for me and Twas to have
ar swered him tonight. Why-why did
| care so much?"
"Hello!" sounded mans voice over
the phone, and then, before she could
speak, rs this you again, Louise?
Virginia's face paled; then she
flushed painfully. Had she been mis-
taken? 1t had never occurred to her
I'll at another man could have answered
to Express 2S04.
Sne Inade oil eboit w Soiiei"i 49,
voice. II am Miss Allen. / wish to
speak to Mr.. Curtis. 2"
'Mr. Curtis left the office, madam,
at 2 O'Clock. | am his partner, Mr..
Galway. Can / do anything for your
THANK you, no." replied Virginia.
Mr.. Galway wondered as he hung up
tho racaiver at the glad change in the
girls voice.
"Miss Allen!" he soliquized. by
love, I didn't know it had gone so faf.