The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-02-28
oAzETTE's TELEPHONE GIRL.

L
Half the local force of The Morning Ca
zette were avowedly ready TO fall in love
| with Central if given the opportunity
| The other kalf said she was fine girl
| Those belonging TO this other half were
married.
I It was a long range admiration that the
men of. The Gazette had for Central
None Of them had ever seen her, but this
did not detract from her charm. Every
| reporter on The Gazette was sure that
| the meauty of ner form and face match
| ed the beauty of her voice and DISPOSE
| ton
Beauty OF voice and disposition had
made the men of The Gazette her ad-
mirers. ow, sweet, distinct Centrals
voice fell like distant music on the tired
ears of the reporters during the long and
weary hours of the dog watch, when Ii
was often necessary TO use the telephone
Roberts, the police reporter. who was
generally credited with no thought above
the ost recent murder mystery. once Gre
ated mild sensation in the Office by de-
,, claring sentimentaily that Central's voice
made him think of 4 woodland brook
singing over bed of pebbles.
And the ramony of Centrai's voice
was never niarred by discordant note.
No one in The Gazette office had ever
heard over the wire cross or impatient
word from her.
There were times when Central could
be disobliging, however. without being
discourteous. These were when efforts
were made I'd cultivate closer acquaint-
ance with her than the duties of her
position made necessary Such efforts.
when made, were always rebuffed, none
the less firmly because gently. The skill
with which she evaded all the clever little
articles invented TO trap her into unnec-
essary conversation naturally did not
lessen the esteem in which she was held
in The Gazette office.
The only man on The Gazette who had
been admitted at all into the confidence
and good graceS of the owner of the
beautiful voice was Watson, the cub re-
porter. Watson was possessed of a nat
ural galiantry, and his nerves and temper
had not yet been destroyed by the hard
grind of newspaper work. For his good
qualities Central sometimes rewarded him
by exchanging with him a few superfiu-
GUS but treasured commonplaces, but ne
never presumed upon the favor shown
him.
1t lacked but three brief hours of press
time on the memorable night that the
word reached The Gazette office that the
c. O. q BIS fast mail had been stopped
on the outskirts of the city by masked
men, who had battered down the door of
the express car, blown open the safe and
made off with rich booty.
THE police are trying to suppress it
until morning" said Roberts, the police
reporter, grimly, as he sprang into a car
riage with two other Gazette men for a
ride at the top of the horses speed
through the sleeping streets and out into
the country to the scene of the robbery.
Other reporters in other carriages were
1rfx- s1-r g.,
pick up loose ends of the story and inter
view railroad and express officials With
the hour for starting the big presses
drawing remorSelessly nearer each mo-
menr men and horses could not be spared.
Men and horses could recuperate tonor-
row or make place for others, but min
utes lost in going TO press were gone for
everN
Watson, being only the cub, waited in
vain to hear his name called as the city
editor gave out orders in quick, nervous
sentences. There being no assignment for
him, he remained in the office and watch
ed obviously while the older men, return
ing at top speed from their different
quests hurried to their desks and wrote
rapidly.
1t turned out that the story of the rob-
berry was great beat for The Ga
zette. The other papers, not having re-
ed The Gazette, appeared in the morn
ing without even a mention of the sensa-
tional affair. The managing editor him
self started the investigation which
Brought out the fact that the first word
of the robbery had come from the cub re-
porter.
Where did you get the tip, Watson?'
asked the managing editor.
Watson might have made capital out
har in, r,rir -, l.;
he didn't.
Central called me UP and told me- ne
said; "she heard the word go. over the
wires at the police stations
We must do something to show the
young woman our appreciation" said the
editor.
Watson, II was decreed, should be the
bearer of The GaZette's gift The other
envied him the assignment but
that it was his by right Wat
son was elated. but he trembied inwardly
when he thought of the task before him
He had felt all along that he would some
time and somehow meet the owner of
the beautiful voice, but now that the
meeting was near at hand, he realized
that it was going to mean more to him
than he had supposed
1t was not an easy matter to secure
Centrals consent to an introduction
Watsons heart smote him when he de-
tected note of distress in the sweet
tones when she at last agreed to meet
him. yielding only when he told her he |
must see her and that he would seek her /
put at her work if there was no other |
way. She would not listen o-his PROPOSE I
ion to call upon her at her home.
Il Will see you In the reception room at 4
he telephone building she said.
Watson erred on the excusable sidee in /
keeping the engagement and It was with 4
variety of emotions that ne awaited /
he interview.
This is Mr. Watson. is il not?-'
How well Watson knew that low, sweet 1
voice and recognized again the pathetic /
,adence he had heard but once before. 4
Fhe words were spoken by tlwarfed.
creature, too small. apparent
:. for a woman. too old fer a child who i
lobbled towards him with the help OF a 1
ihOrt cane. 4 great Hood of pity swept 4
lver him. but he was being trained in a \
school whose pupils learn rapidly. and !
here was no trace Of his feelings in look
IT word as he arose 70 meet her and per-
orm his mission.
Gently and taetfuIiy Watson thanked
Ter in the name Of The Gazette In ac-
'ents low. but beautiful still, she replied I
md turned 10 go. At the door she turned
lack ylesdingiy.
You won't tel the others?- she said
Watson understood and there was
ump in his throat as he promised.
That night the reporters pressed around I
Watson as he sat smoking in the local (
DOM.
Tell US about her. how does she
ook?" they said.
Watson looked up innocentiy.
''Who2H he asked.
'.yvho2 Why. the telephone siri.-'
oh said Watson. gazing abstractediy
L the carbon light that svayed and
puttered near the window. she Is as
eautiful as her voice.
She Got the Money.