The Morning examiner. [volume] (Ogden, Utah) 1904-1910, 1909-03-07
II26 SouG6

could make it a threc-bandod game
and Ignore the rain and lovers quar-
rel.
He raised the receiver from the
hook and gave Harmers number. In
Il moment femilIne voice answered
and Dorlng started He had never
noticed before how much like Lena
Clayton, Lena Harmcr, Ben's sister.
spoke Funny that they should both
be named Lena and both should
speak alike.
That you. Lena?" he called.
This Is Dick; Dick Doring,'
"Dicky. you darling" came In fer
vent tones over the wire, nearly
causing Dorlng to drop the receiver.
i knew that you would he tho first
to speak"
Il say! Who is this?" demanded
Dorlng.
Its Lena. of course" came the re-
ply. Lena Clayton. since you seem
to know 80 many Lenas. Whom did
you think It was7"
Lena Harmer." explained Doring
promptly.
Her name is Caroline" cried the
one at the wire.
Benny calls her Lena, you know,
though you girls call her Carrie"
That's too thin. Dicky," came in
mocking tones. THE Harmers' num-
Der is in the South exchange. This is
Main. You couldn't have made such
mistake, neither could central. You
called me up and your nerve failed
you"
It's no such thing" declared Dor
ing. hotly. II called Benny up to
Invite him over TO play poker. gave
the number distinctly. Anyway" he
added triumphantly. "you spoke
first"
What f1bber," came in shocked
tones why. you called me up
But you spoke first" he insisted,
You said Hello"
"Of course | did" admitted Lena,
but You spoke first when you called
my number"
IL didn't call your number Insist
ed Doring. az tell you was trying
TO get Benny Harmer over TO play
poker"
And so you called me up" she
retorted. "Did you decide to change
the game to-hearts?"
IL 10 pIclAy 8OOu game on
lonely night like this" said DorIng.
III you'll admit that you spoke first
I'll como over
II won't do any such thing. How
do YOU know that want TO have you
over here?"
Don't you?" pleadlngly.
That's telling" teased Lena.
"Why don't you ask II you may come
and flnd out7"
Because said I was going to wait
and make you speak first" he ex-
planned. "Of course, now that YOU
did speak first. don't mind telling
you that 1 saw you yesterday IN the
new dress and you look stunning"
DO YOU really think so?'' asked
the girl. ITS an awfully pretty dress
and II makes me look Ave years
younger.
AN error Of 10 years. all told" de-
clared Dorlng. but You haven't ask
cd me over yet"
you haven't asked to come, and
you can't come until you admit that
YOU called up and that's speaking
first"
Lets call II tie." he suggested.
II didn't call you. YOU didn't call. 30
We neither OF us spoke first"
III you didn't call me. then ring
of, and YOU can get the wire you
wanted. I'll hang up tho receiver"
Don't do that" pleaded Doring.
~ guess-well. | didn't call UP, but
III say ! did. guess | wanted 10
and-wcll
IL spoke Rrst Now may come
over please?"
III you will be very good and
polite little boy perhaps I'll lot you
come aud-aDd make up"
The boy on duty at the switch
board looked up, as Doriug paused
before the desk.
What was that number | called a
little while ago7" he asked.
You called 1926 south, but guess
/ done give you that number In main
YOU always calls up" announced the
boy. Pm sorry | made a mistake,
MIR. Dorlns."
I'm not" announced Doring as he
passed over a bill. You got the
right number. even il 1t was wrong"