The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1909-03-29
APARTlY WIRE sM ID

Those who use o party wire 8tele-
phone need to e1erclse caution.
The party wire in q certain 5loca-
ton took four families. the Alstons,
the Hammonds, the Winstons and
the Chapins. It SO happened that all
were acquaintances and the first
three friends. The Alstons and the
Winstons were especially intimate.
Indeed. Mabel Aston was engaged to
Herbert Winston. The Chapins and
the Hammonds were also cousins.
There was also a growing intimacy
between Mrs. Chaplin and Mrs. Ham
mond.
One day Mrs. Aston wished 10
speak with Mrs. Winston, Hello,
central!"she said. "Glve me 1920 L."
Your letter, please?"
"My letter is L.
There was good deal Of buzz'ag
and bur.r.r.ing, accompanied by airy
voices. then suddenly well defined
woman's ~ am Mrs. Winston. Who
are your"
"Oh! Is that you, Clara Chaplin?
I'm Dora Hammond. I've been try.
ing TO get you for some time. These
party wires are a perfect nuisance.
Yesterday had to whit half an hour
while somebody was giving instruc'
lions TO her dressmaker." 4.
Mrs. Alston's sense Of honor led
her to drop the receiver: but. rec
ognizlng herself in this somebody"
her sense OF honor was not strong
enough to bear the strain. She lis.
tened. ~
YES" replied the other, we're 50.
Ing to have our telephone taken, out.
It's singular how little regard some
people have for other peoples
rights"
what called you up for was to
| inquire II there is any truth in the
report OF the breaking OF the en-.
gagemcnt between Mabel Aston and
Herbert Winston.
II haven't heard such u report"
Haven't you? Everybody is talk.
Ing about It." Eel
II always considered Herbert too
good for her. She's a nice enough
little body, but no style about her.
Herbert Is one Of the best dancers |
ever saw"
mabel Is very plain"
Herbert Is handsome as a picture.
What do they say Is the cause Of the
brcak?"
"Herbert's attentions 10 his cou'
sin, Miss Meriweather."
"You don't mean it! I've met her.
Shes very pretty and stylish. You
see, she wears the right kind OF cor.
set. No woman Gun have figure In
| the present fashion without mod
ern corset. That's the trouble with
| Mabel Aston: she wears some kind
| OF a waist"
"And studies Greek. Ha, ha! Just
think Of it"
That's the folly Of sending girls
to college. 1t takes away all desire
for social advancement.
by the bye, have you decided now
| to have your new pink silk made up!'
"Oniy as to the neck, which Is to
be cut square"
Mrs Aston listened for forty
| minutes while the dialogue proceed
cd, but since it was n wardrobe DIS,
cussion she became tired and drop
ned the receiver. She repeated the
dialogue she had heard pertaining to
the hppkcn engagement to her daugh-
tor.t who assured her that there was
| no foundation for 1t. at The SAME
time gently Gliding her for caves
dropping.
The next day Mrs. Aston. with a
light In her eye and a cold LOOK
about her mouth. stepped to the tele-
phone and called up Mrs Chaplin.
SIS that you, Clara? I'm Dora.
want TO tell you that I've made In
auiries about the breaking Of the ell
gagenent OF Mabel Aston and Her:
! bert Winston. It isn't broken at ALL"
"You don't mean It! How did yoll
find out?"
az went straight to Mabel's moth.
err" :,
did you tell her who told you
Eyes, l had to. She said If hadn't
she'd never forgive me. It's very
unfortunate. SHE told me- tiat"FtheI
next time you meet her You needn't
! trouble yourself to speak to her. Tor
sho had no further use for your ac'
,quain.ance."
,"Dear ME! Upon my
Mrs. Chaplin heard no more, Tor
there was a click, and she was cut
of, Then Mrs. Aston called up Mrs.
Hammond:
rs that YOU, Dora? I've called you
up to say that was mistaken about
that breaking Of the engagement be-
tween Mabel Aston and Herbert
Winston
"Yes?'
is may as we'll confess that !
made II all up out OF whole CLOTH.
For lands sake!"
/ "Afterwnrd | became conscience
stricken and went to Mrs. ,Alslon and