Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1902-05-27

RE, astonished at her own boldness
The man looked up at her. There was
a little hesitation. and then a second
man spoke to her:
"If you wait an hour or SO, ma'am
you can have the wire, but we're send
ing SO many railroad messages now
that l can't promise it to you short OF
an hour
Marjorie turned away in despair to
find Muller by her side.
81 thought you wouldn't get q
| showm." he said. "Them fellers is
railroad mcn-the depot master an the
local sup'utendent. an the engineer
what escaped"-
They were standing in the doorway
of the station and across the square
ccuid see an upper room brilliantly
li.,ited-thc only place at hand that
was lighted
"Thtrc's the telephone exchange" ex.
claimed Marjorir. That's open all
night. I'm going to try that. Come
| with me-" she commanded, starting
toward the light. you've got the
names of them all?"
Muller nodded and. preceding her up
the stairs. opened the door Of the tele-
phone exchange. Central was look.
ing out of the window.
Fred" said Muller. this is Miss
Russell, who used to live here sum.
mers. She's a reporter for New York
paper an wants to speak to it,
"Will you call it up at once, please.
I don't know the number"
whats the name? It'll cost you s." "
said central shortly. 1t was bad
enough not to BIZ able to 20 to the
| wrecked train without having to at
| tend to call
"All right" replied Marjorie, produc'
ing her purse This stirred central
up. He devoted himself to his tele-
phone and after q one sided converse.
ton of some length turned to Mar
jorie:
GOC EN- now. mere y dTe
Marjorie took the receiver and leaned
against the table. Now that she was in
touch with The Globe office she wanted
to drop the instrument and run. She
stood silent for moment.
Hello. What dye want" came a
small voice in her ear.
The sound nerved Marjorie to her
task.
"Is this the New York Globe" she
called.
"Yes, 1t is. Who are your
"Is Mr. Hicks inp" Suppose he isn't.
thought MarjorieJ
"Yes. he's in. Who are your
"Tell him Miss Russell, who saw him
about 8 o'clock yesterday-today-
wants to see him. am at Orleans
There's been big railroad accident
Hold the wire." came the order.
Marjorie waited breathlessly. Sup.
pose Mr.. Hicks should not come or
should make light Of her story.
Well Miss RUSSELL" came Mr.. Hicks
voice whats this? Where are you"
"Tm at Orleans, about $50 miles from
the city," answered Marjorie. THE six
o'clock through express collided with a
freight train here about midnight and
killed ten persons and injured Six"
"Why didn't you telegraph"
''The company has the wires. You
had a reporter on the train-tall. light
haired. saw him in the office yester'
day afternoon"
"Yes, Saunders. What's happened to
him"
"Hes-he's one Of the ten." said Mar
Jorie.
There was q sound as II chair had
been pushed back on rough floor; then
Mr.. Hicks said:
"I'll send a reporter to take down
your story. Tell him everything you
know. but remember that it's l:3O and
getting later every minute"
Now. then. Miss RUSSELL" began q
new voice. begin. and I'll take you
down."
"Time's up" said central" behind
Marjorie. .
"Oh, Mr. don't know your name. y
cried Marjorie to her friend $50 miles
away-"my time is up. and ! have nc
more money"
"Tell central to take your place q
minute" said the voice. Marjorie
obeyed and used the interval to talk
to Muller.
"Everything's all right" said "cen
trail" after few minutes. with sub
dued air. as he handed the receiver
back to Marjorie. "Go ahead. maam
longs you want"
The foreman Of Minnehaha hose was
q good assistant. He gave what he
knew Of the facts In order. and Mar
jorie detailed them to her unknown
friend, who at intervals piled her with
question after question. Between the
skillful stenographer at one end and
the intelligent girl at the other end Of
the wire II was not long before the
story of the accident was In The Globe
Office.
miss RUSSELL" said MIR. Hicks %
suddenly that Marjorie jumped (sht
had not noticed that her unknown
friend had given up his place.. Il an
much obliged to you. You've given uf
a big beat Will you get today's story
and send It to us for Mondays paper
Send 1t In by 6 o'clock tonight-by tel
ephone. l guess. I'll arrange for It
can count on you. Very we'll Coco
night"
Good nightr said Marjorie mechan
ically.
Ring off," said central" "Thost
papers must be rich. My. how they fly
around! That time l called you of an
took the wire they switched me on te
the big central office in New York. an
got word right from the super te
give you all the time you wanted"
you'd better come home with me,
said Muller to Marjorie. my moth
eTll put you up. What you need mos'
is Sleep"
Long before Marjorie was awake or
Sunday morning the railroad had nm
ished its use of the wires, and newspa
Der men came into Orleans from all di
rections. A message to her brother re-
.AU HunOrS