Smyrna times., 1910-07-20
RNA TIMES. EsDAY AFTERNOON,

anu, dlIeT mdIhlHS II Will Jue re-
ceiving OPERATOR signature. put it
in the drawer. Then she looked into
the dark, brilliant face of irrestible
beauty and power-and at the COM
manding figure. standing fully six
feet two inches above her, and .
straight as an arrow. Despite years
of wandering and the visible traces
of dissipation, there still fingered |
about him a military air and the
evidence of better days. His heavy
iron grey moustache and bronzed .
features, associated with his easy |
bearing all pointed to creditable
past and aristocratic antecedents.
He began almost to wish he had |
not told her he was an operator when |
she asked him where he was going, !
where he worked last, and other
questions, all the while looking him
directly in the face with her grave
sweet eyes.
"Surely our chief will let you
work if you are competent operat-
or"
She did not know he had worked in
almost every State in the Union.
However, she sent a message to the
chief, asking if Mr.. Merlin could
not relieve her for a few nights
The answer came almost immedi-
ately for him to go to work that
night.
"By the way" said he, "what is
your name?"
Genevieve Burleigh. "
He stood in the doorway, his eyes
following the train which carried
her to the city, until the green lights
were like mere stars; then he turned
and went into the office.
All around were evidences of a
woman's careful fingers. The floor
was spotless in it's whiteness and
purity. The clean, white curtains
were drawn back by crimson ribbons,
and on the walls were nung pretty
little landscapes, and on the desk
was the photograph of a young man.
Red ribbon was drawn through the
frame work, and inside the picture
was lock of jet black hair. On
the desk Merlin found several small
volumes of poetry, each inscribed on
the fly leaf with "To Genevieve,
from Maurice. -
Wondering idly who Maurice was,
he selected a volume of Longfellow,
and proceeded to make himself COM
Portable for the remainder of the
night.
1t was three weeks before Miss
Burleigh returned on duty; then
Merlin was given reguar situation
j at station east of her.
Every time he found that a reck-
less desire to roam was creeping over
him, he called her up over the wire
and held chat. She was always
the same, kind, good and modest
j and he looked forward with represseC
longing to the time when he woulC
e see her again.
= When a year had passed that roam
ing disposition vas conquered. H,
was no longer classed with tn,
tramps; he was a man-not only 8
d man, but gentleman in every sens
i of the word.
e He often asked himself what hat
e caused the change; the answer wa
J. always the same-Genevievc Bur
e leigh.
d She had just come on duty on
e even ng and laid off her outer wraps
f when she heard her office callet
/, sharply on the instrument Sh
= sprang to the key and responded il
e the usual manner.
d "Good evening. JENNY, - clicKe
IS the sounder. "You may look TO
me early tomorrow noon" +"
a Then she knew it was Arthur Mer
e lin. His private signal was ''M.
,r A flash came in her pale, swee
if face, her eyes frightened and he
I'd breath came quickly.
e 81 am so glad, " she answered d
ar "'What time can look for you 2
I'd "I'll be out on number twelve.
During the long, lonely nigh
which slowly dragged itself out
1- Genevieve had something to loo
forwa, { to. She took out Merlin
last letter and read it over.
ID pleased her, for she smiled an
=. blused beautifully.
m She had not seen Arthur Merli
in for several months. How would h
Is look. Taking a book from the Ii
vs. brary, she went to her own, daint
~ room aid tried to read. The effor
ii was a miserable failure. She coul
is not take the sense of the words be
fore her and laid the book aside.
er "Mr. Merlin. -
SO What a start the announcement
n. gave herl She had been expectin
lg him, yet was startled.
g, "Show him up here. I" she said I
r kba tuoifor