The new era. (Walden, Colo.) 1906-19??, 1908-03-19
HIS telephone
sweetheart
BY CARRIE GRAHAM

versations over the wires OF her
charge, but sometimes Edna could not
help overhearing snatches of con-
versation when she tested to see
whether some one in one of the
booths was still talking.
Naturally, too. she became interest
ed in the young man who always call.
ed one address uptown.
His first name was Frank, that much
she knew, and she knew also that he
worked in the big office building In
which she operated the public station
switchboard
Most offices had their own wires
and the work was light so gradually
she began to tak0 especial interest
in Frank and his calls. Her own
lonely little life contained no romance,
and she entered heart and soul into
this strangers love affair
Every day on his way in from lunch
and again in the evening he called up
Dearest" 1t was the only name he
ever used and Edna wished that some
time some one would talk to her
like that, whether 1t was over the
wire or face TO face.
She hoped it might be some one
like Frank, with laughing. brown
eyes and a kindly smile that seemed
perpetual, and her hungry heart took
to itself the tender message she
heard over the wire when she DELHI
erately cut in.
She had some share of his visits,
for he had always pleasant smile
and good afternoon for her, but
she wanted more. She used to whis-
per very softly her own answers to
his tender messages and she was gen.
timely distressed when, some months
later. the messages were discontinued.
She still looked for his pleasant
greeting as he passed her desk. and
wondered that he should take his dis
appointment so we'll She sometimes
planned to call up the old number and
pretend that 1t was mistaken call
Just to see If the girl was still
there.
Then there were other times when
she was selfishly glad that the calls
had stopped, for she WAS jealous of
his telephone sweetheart and now &C.
casionally he stopped for a word of
chat with her.
Then. one afternoon there came the
call. She recognized the voice instant
ly and her generous spirit rose supe-
rior to her selfish jealousy. and with
out thinking she laughed into the re-
ceiver.
I'm so glad you're back" she
cried" then the voice at the other
end recalled her to her duty. For
the first time she knew his last name,
and the caller asked that Mr.. Frank
Howard be sent for, and gave the
number of his room.
Presently he came down in the ele-
vator, his face beaming with glad
ness. and Edna fought down a desire
to listen. She wanted to know that
he had won back his telephone sweet
heart, and yet she could not bear to
learn the fact
Howard came out of the booth with
an odd look on his face. There was
no one there beside the girl and he
leaned against the desk
What did you mean by saying
that you We're glad?" he demanded, GU.
riously. Ednas face grew red
Did you say that" she asked
Howard nodded.
She wanted to know what you
were glad about. She thought at first
she had the wrong number"
Il was glad that she had come
back" explained the girl. Somehow
those brown eyes compelled the truth.
You didn't call her for so long /
knew that you had quarreled and
was glad that you were going to be
happy again
Been seeming a romance?" he said
with smile. She's been my sweet.
heart ever since I was old enough to
love anyone. She's been out of town.
Just got back and wanted to tell
me-"
I'll bet you're glad 1t was not
brilliant remark. but it was the
best Edna could do. Howard smiled.
Il bet ! am he agreed. You see.
l don't go home until late and she's
all alone. so | call her up to cheer
her."
Then you're married." asked Edna
in dismay. Howard shook his head.
That's my mother" he said. with
laugh. She's the best sweetheart a
man ever had. want you to meet
her some time. The night law class
comes to an end next week, and after
that ! want to take you up to see
her"
Me? What for?'
I've been telling her lot about
you. explained Howard. "She said
before she went away that she want.
ed to meet You when she came back.
and / told her that ! would try and
get you to come up. Will YOU
Gomez"
Sure" said Edna. feeling her con.
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