The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1904-11-05

cramped bedroom over the four flights
of narrow stairs. It was hard to be
helpless when she wanted more than
she had ever wanted anything to bring
that voice at Main 45 back again. She
dropped asleep still brooding over the
situation.
Then fate interviewed. Next morn
ing, between complaint from sub
scriber who had received the wrong
number and a call from q woman who
couldn't see why that number was al
ways so busy, Miss Maher saw the tag
drop to show that Red 1901 wanted
to talk over the wire. Almost me-
chanica1ly she reached to connect with
Suffer 8691.
Central said that voice which
she hated. "Give me Polk 1857.
Miss Maher jumped to the situation
instantly. She knew that number
well. So did every other operator
on the West Exchange, It belonged
to girls voice, insistent, pert, pro-
vocative; q voice that said doubtful
things to 8 great many different peo-
pie, and to whose sayings one listened
without conjunction
Miss Maher listened now. Her eyes
We're shining.
"Hellct" said the girls voice.
sHello!n said Red 1901. Say, !
suppose you've forgotten your little
friend siuce yesterday"
"Oh, don't know" said the girl,
whereat they both laughed as II some
one had said something witty. Miss
Maher felt that il there was q voice
on earth she hated more than either
of those now talking on the line, it was
the other.
Il suppose you're dated for to
night?'' said the mans voice.
whats it to your" asked the girl
on the other end Of the line. DO
you always take lady out the sec
ond time you meet her?''
Depends on the girl" said the
mans voice.
Which gir1?"
Back up. You're going too fast y
Jaw, you know what mean. !
know who you are. A little bird told
me- You are Frank Mathers, and
you're engaged.
THAT shouldn't cut any ice in one
wee, little dinner date-Hello! Hello,
Central, what's the matter with you?
You cut us off. y
In the last second, sMiss Maher's
nervous fingers had made another
connection. Breathlessly she pressed
the button that would ring the bell.
1t was only an instant before the an
swer came. The girl must have been
standing near. Miss Makers speech
was tense with excitement.
"Oh, Miss-Sutter 1851, please lis
ten! You don't know me, but beg
you don't say a word, and please lis
tent"
Quick as q flash she had shot in
the plug that switched Suffer S691
on to the conversation between Red
1901 and Polk 1856. The lines were
crossed, but with intention. The con-
versation was going on beautifully.
Hello! That you, angel sweetness?
That Central's a dub. She cuts us of.
Say, how about that little dinner?"
II thought you were engaged
II thought told you that didn't
cut any ice. I'm disengaged for this
evening""
"Tell that to the birds 2
Sure. I'm not 50 certain but that
after get better acquainted I'LL be dis
engaged permanently"
lit takes two to make bargain az
that kind
aWell, suppose we see il we can't
come to an understanding. How does
Depues at $50 strike your
I'm game. Shall ! meet you at the
restaurants"
Miss Maher heard with satisfaction
that bang that she had been expecting.
Suffer 1851 had hung up with empha-
sis.
Without ceremony she disconnected
that number, leaving Red 1901 to finish
his conversation, and called UP Main
As.
Suffer- S691 wants to speak to you"
she said softly. She made the con-
nection, rang the bell, and met her
own glance in the dingy mirror with
a defiant smile.
A few minutes later she gained
courage to open on the conversation
which she had prompted. The last
words We're singing softly over the
wires.
.'It will be Summer and her eyes
will be blue"
The chief operator, patroling the
line of her charges, noticed Miss Ma
her sitting at her desk, her hands Idle,
and her eyes heavy and dull.
The chief operator stopped.
Miss Maher raised her head. A dim
smile forced its way as she glanced
at the silent switchboard.
Whats the matter?' she asked.
Anything wrong?"
tWrong?" she said vaguely. "No-
! guess not. Tm-I'm a little tired.
that's all. Overland Monthly.
Print of tIle Springs.
A politician, upon his arrival at one
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